Miss Allie's Kitchen

Whole & Healthy Home Cooking

You are here: Home / Archives for Life + More

Life + More

Lucky Number 7 – Our 7 Month Marriage Update

Lucky Number 7 – Our 7 Month Marriage Update on life & love.

Lucky Number 7 - Our 7 Month Marriage Update on life & love. 

You may wonder why I’m posting an update at our 7-month mark. It’s because we forgot our 6-month anniversary. Plain and simple. Yikes, man.

The other day J texted me and was like “5 months this week!!!”. And I was like “huh?”. He said, “oh, wait 6 months!!”. Then my lightbulb clicked on and I realized – “oh! you mean we’ve been married for 7 months!!”. I promise, we’re getting it together, really.

But quite honestly, the past 7 months have been incredible. This season in life has been kind of a roller coaster, especially for me, but our marriage – man, that feels really good right now.

I’m posting this because I want to reach those of you who are embarking on an adventure with a new spouse. I don’t really FEEL like I have the authority to post about marriage (I mean, I’ve only been doing it for 7 months) but I’ll tell you that ours is something I’m proud of. It’s something that we’ve both invested in and shown up for every day for the last 212.917 days (that’s how many days Google says are in 7 months).

Someone told me recently that J and I look like we’re having a lot of fun, and you know what – it’s because we are gosh darnit! Sometimes, it’s easier to talk about struggles than come out and say what IS working for you. And right now, what we’re doing seems to be really working for our marriage. Instead of stealing the show, I’m going to let my hubby steer the rest of this.

I sent him a message the other day saying I wanted to post about what married life looks like. I asked him to think on his lunch break and get back to me. Y’ALL HE DROPPED SOME GOOD ISH! So below, you’ll find some sage advice from J with little translations + follow ups from me, they’ll be in italics.

Words from J & A:

J: Wrote this of as if I was writing an article, hopefully, it makes sense:

(A: who’s the blogger now?)

J: Take as much time as needed and work on completing tasks with your significant other (husband/wife). Starting new projects (such as a home renovation) allows you to be independent but the thought of knowing that you can count on another human (my favorite human) to help you out the rest of your life and complete things together or achieve a goal is an amazing feeling.

A: what I think he’s getting at here is that getting married means somebody has your back. So, do things together. Big things. Something I think we both struggle with is being very independent to a fault. We’ve worked to be teammates and it feels good to have someone you love in your corner. 

J: Make time for one another, go on random dates, try not to be selfish, allow your significant other to take a risk (even if there is money involved – like your classes). TRUST is and will always be key.

A: phew OK Dr. Phil!!! Dopping some serious stuff here. If you’re anything like us, your first year of marriage could be a really full one. You may need to say no to people (even family) to carve out time for each other, or make time on weeknights to do something just the two of you. I know when we go out to dinner, the world melts away after about 15 minutes. 

Ahhh and the risk-taking. Jared encouraged me to spend a large amount of money (to us) on business coaching the month we settled on a house. Yeah…crazy right? But him believing in me that much has fueled such a fire in me. With his support, I have been able to radically shift my business and I hope to be able to contribute to our family in an even bigger way. To touch on trust, I think he knew he could count on me to hold up my end of the bargain. He knew I wouldn’t make a decision that would really hurt us and he knows I’ll work hard to hold up my end of a deal + my portion of contributions. 

J: I must also say that it’s never good to continue an argument over a long period of time. Either work things out or agree to disagree and move on. As much as you are most likely very similar to your spouse, you are also different and you won’t always agree on things. Right?!

A: riiiiight 🙂 can you tell which one of us is the more level-headed one? No, but really this is true. I don’t know many people who LIKE to be in arguments, so figure out how to get through them in a timely manner. Do you need to walk out of the room for 10 minutes or go for a run? Or, sit down and calmly talk it out right away? Figure what works! 

Before we wrap up – here’s my favorite piece of advice: Please & Thank You are the magic words. 

I know it sounds weird, but sometimes the last people we’re polite to are our significant others. We know they’ll take our crap and still love us. BUT, I notice when I ask J for things nicely, he’s more than willing to do them, and when I positively reinforce behavior that I like he’s more likely to do it again. He brings flowers – I tell him 10,000 times how much it means. Wanna bet he does it again?

Also, get a dog. 🙂

If Happiness Was Easy, Everyone Would Be Doing It.

Happiness may be simple, but sometimes it isn’t easy. Here are some things that I do, that everyone can do, to add joy to our lives when we’re in a funk.

Happiness may be simple, but sometimes it isn't easy. Here are some things that I do, that everyone can do, to add joy to our lives when we're in a funk.

I’ve always been a happy person. At a young age, I remember my mom bought me my first perfume, Happy Heart by Clinique, because the name reminded her of me. As a teen, I remember people would ask me what was wrong with me – “why are you so happy all of the time” they’d say. Making people feel good, valued and special is what I do. 90% of the time when you see me in public, I’ll smile. I’ll try to brighten your day. It’s just how I am.

However, over the last few years being “happy” has gotten harder to do. I’ve given a little bit too much of myself to my business, to people who don’t fill my cup up, to events, to travel – I really could go on. I started taking life too seriously. I got used to pushing through the hard times and now that the dust has settled, I’m often at a loss for what to do. It’s a shame because my life is really beautiful right now and sometimes I can feel it slipping by me like a ghost.

But here’s the thing – I’m not really willing to accept that. I’m not willing to accept mediocracy or a glass half empty mindset. I’m not willing to be ungrateful and I’m certainly not willing to keep living in fear. There are exceptions to this, if you’re living with mental illness (please seek help if so!) this may not be right for you, but if you’re like me, we have to do something to cultivate joy. We simply can’t sit passively by and let it all slip out of reach.

I’ve been running away from writing this post because I don’t really have all of this figured out yet. I haven’t reached that divine place of accepting every gift with joy and radiating at an enlightened frequency. But, I’m trying, I’m moving the needle forward, so, from one stressed out, overworked gal with a packed calendar to another, here’s what I’ve been doing to get my life back. Here’s how I’m finding joy:

1. Get Help

#1 get some help. I really don’t care who it is, as long as they have your best interest in mind. I have a business coach. Or coaches. Their names are Nicole and Dan and they are the most BA married couple and they work with solo entrepreneurs like myself. This summer I decided to increase my amount of coaching and to be quite frank, a lot of my calls with them are more like therapy. So, get you a coach that encourages, meditation, gratitude, prayer or thankfulness, and/or get some professional help. There’s nothing wrong with admitting you need it. If this is the push you need to make the investment, here it is. I say so.

2. Take a Time Out.

Easier said than done, I know. Y’all, we live in the age of the hustle. We’ve been told our entire lives that hard work pays off. Couple that with this era of technology where your email pings nonstop, Instagram is a click away and group texts are running rampant like wildfire – is burnout really a surprise? Take it from the girl that worked on her own honeymoon – I get it, turning off is nearly impossible.

But we really need to. Wedge your phone in the couch so you can’t see it, take out a book, stare at the wall, go for a walk, a drive, binge on TV, go out to dinner with your SO. Do SOMETHING to help you do nothing.

3. Eat Something.

I find that stressed out people normally fall into 2 camps – non-eaters, or the everything eaters. I tend to be a combo – I won’t take time to feed myself and when it comes time to sit down at the end of the day, I’m too drained to cook so we order pizza or go out and it’s refined carbs + wine & no vegetables. The other day I actually ate 4 Reeses for dinner. What in the…?

Y’all I KNOW BETTER. I know how good food can affect the brain – I’m a food blogger that focuses on healthy food. There’s nothing wrong with pizza, refined carbs, and wine, but if I haven’t been eating leafy greens, healthy fats and complex carbs to keep me fueled…like hello, yes I’m assisting in self-destruction. So, here’s what I’m telling you to do. Cross one thing off your to-do list and make time to make yourself some fuel. Need easy ideas: try the chicken thighs, my taco soup, this apple baked oatmeal  ,or this sweet potato and bison hash.

4. Get Moving + Stretching

It’s easy to cast aside a gym date or a walk with yourself. And sometimes, overworking our bodies can do more harm than good. But, once you’ve had a good ole rest, dust yourself off, put on your cutest leggings (you know, the ones that make you look like a Lulu model), your favorite sports bra and get out there, sister. For me, high-intensity workouts at least 3-5 times a week and yoga is what I need. I’m a really athletic, high energy person, so that may not be your truth, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

But, figure out what works for you. Put a treadmill in your basement, get a dog walker once a twice a week so you can get to your barre class, and don’t forget to stretch. When we’re stressed, we have a tendency to clench up like a ball. Our shoulders practically attach to our ears, our butts and hips are probably tighter than a brand new hair tie – but, just a simple 5-minute stretch or yoga practice can make all of the difference.

Here are some yoga workouts and stretches I love!!

Yin yoga release (25 mins)

Relaxing yoga (12 minutes)

Sore back release (8 minutes – great for tension)

Yoga workout blast (20 minutes – sweat + stretch)

Easy 10 min morning yoga  (10 mins – duh)

5. Call a Friend.

Feeling like this can be isolating. AND, even if you’re extroverted, you may just need to be alone for a while. But reach out to someone. You don’t have to have coffee today, maybe next week. Get something fun on the calendar. Maybe it’s a date night with your spouse. Or actually texting that really nice girl you met at yoga. Or having brunch with your best friend or a skype date with someone you don’t see so often.

I know it’s hard when you feel like you’re down. Don’t feel like you have to be 100% to make a connection. It will help I promise.

6. Practice Gratitude.

Alright, sister friend, let’s get one thing straight – things may not be the best right now, but God (or the universe, etc. if that’s your jam) will certainly not put anything on your plate that you cannot handle. One way, arguably the most important way, we can get out of a funk is by truly practicing gratitude for what is right in front of us. I guarantee you, that you have something you can be grateful for right there, staring you in the face.

Write it down, pray about it, say it out loud. And then sit there and think about a few other things. I keep a gratitude journal I try to write in every morning. It helps, it truly does. The more we invite in the positive things, it’s my hope that they’ll continue to come into our lives.

P.S. Here are some resources I’ve been loving to help encourage that joy mindset:

  1. Book – Girl Wash Your Face, by Rachel Hollis my beautiful friend and yogi Brenda with Yoga B Yoga lent this to me
  2. Devotional – Savor – by Shauna Niequist
  3. Podcast – Rise – by Rachel Hollis
  4. Podcast – The Chasing Joy Podcast – by Georgie Morley
  5. Podcast – The Healthy Maven – Davida Lederle
  6. Video – On Changing Your Frequency – recommended by Nicole Culver
  7. Video – You Are Enough – recommended by Nicole Culver

Love to you all!!! xoxx – A 

Nutty Paleo Pumpkin Tart

This Nutty Paleo Pumpkin Tart combines pumpkin, spices, natural coconut sugar, and coconut milk to make the most flavorful pumpkin tart for the holidays.

paleo pumpkin tart sliced on plates with whipped cream on a white background and flowers

The time has come for me to share this healthier, paleo pumpkin tart. I HAVE ARRIVED, friends.

I’ve been waiting to share this for some time now. If you’re on my email list, then this may look really familiar to you. Sometimes, I treat my fave people and send them recipes early so you should sign up if you haven’t.

pumpkin tart slice with whipped cream

I’ve been all about the pumpkin lately, you know this. I mean just this year I’ve thrown down this pumpkin chai latte, this maple bourbon pumpkin pie, and this paleo pumpkin bread. Oh and you have to try my dairy-free pumpkin cupcakes from last year, just sayin’

ingredients for paleo pie crust in a white bowl with a wooden spoon on a white marble background

Anywho – this tart – super easy to make. To make the crust, jut mix together the crust ingredients and press it into a tart pan. No rolling pin needed.

ingredients for paleo pie crust in a white bowl with a wooden spoon on a white marble background

See?

ingredients for paleo pie crust in a white bowl with a wooden spoon on a white marble background

The filling – super simple. You’ll quickly mix it together and bake until the tart is just set.

 

pumpkin tart filling in a white bowl on a white marble slab

Perfect every time!

pumpkin tart on a small white plate

 

Print

Nutty Paleo Pumpkin Tart

  • Author: Miss AK
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8
Print Recipe

Description

This Nutty Paleo Pumpkin Tart combines pumpkin, spices, natural coconut sugar and coconut milk to make the most flavorful pumpkin tart for the holidays.

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1/3 cup coconut flour
  • 1/3 cup coconut sugar
  • 1/2 cup cashew butter  – or almond (I used homemade, so make sure to use a natural version)
  • 2 Tbsp. melted coconut oil
  • 1 room temperature egg, whisked
  • 1 pinch sea salt

For the filling:

  • 1 15oz. can pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup full fat coconut milk
  • 3/4 cup coconut sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 pinch sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  2. In a bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, coconut sugar, cashew butter, coconut oil, egg, and salt for the crust.
  3. Mix well until it clumps into a ball.
  4. Remove from the bowl and press it into a 9-inch tart pan.
  5. Pop the pan with the crust in the fridge while you make the filling.
  6. Whisk together the pumpkin puree, coconut milk, coconut sugar, eggs, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
  7. Remove the tart pan from the fridge and pour in the filling. If you have a little excess filling, that’s OK. Save it to make a mini tart or pie or discard.
  8. Place the tart in the oven for 30-35 minutes until the filling is set but still jiggly in the middle.
  9. Allow it to cool on a wire rack fully before refrigerating. Cool and serve!

Golden Raisin Glazed Skillet Chicken with Brussels Sprouts

Juicy golden raisin glazed skillet chicken thighs pair perfectly with Brussels sprouts for an easy dinner that is crazy impressive. You won’t believe the caramelized flavor on that chicken.

Juicy golden raisin glazed skillet chicken thighs pair perfectly with Brussels sprouts for an easy dinner that is crazy impressive. You won't believe the caramelized flavor on that chicken. 

This is my new favorite dinner. Honestly.

I served it a few weeks ago the first time my family came to hang at our new house. It’s easy enough to absolutely throw together on a weeknight but it’s really quite impressive. People may give you the ‘ole hairy eyeball when you tell them you’re mashing up golden raisins and capers but trust me. Honestly, have I ever lead you astray where chicken thighs are concerned (read: no – these easy chicken thighs have been the most popular on my site for at least a year! They’re that good.)?

ingredients for chicken thighs and Brussels sprouts in a skillet and a sheet pan

Anywho back to the golden raisin and caper glaze. It’s to die for. It’s perfectly sweet and briny and it gets this crazy great caramelization on it when you cook everything together. The only thing I’ll ask of you, make sure you follow the directions and get a nice crust on that chicken before finishing it in the glaze in the oven. Makes all the difference.

steaming chicken thighs and shallots in a black cast iron skillet

Come on, look at that sauceeee you guys!! Try this and show me – tag me on Instagram and use #missallieskitchen

chicken thighs in golden sauce in a skillet

 

Print

Golden Raisin Glazed Skillet Chicken with Brussels Sprouts

  • Author: Miss AK
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6
Print Recipe

Description

Looking for a simple and impressive dinner? This juicy golden raisin glazed skillet chicken thigh recipe pairs perfectly with Brussels sprouts. You won’t believe the caramelized flavor on that chicken.

Ingredients

For the Brussels:

  • 1 lb. Brussels sprouts, halved
  • 1 tsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper

For the chicken:

  • 3 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 2 + 1/2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 2 shallots, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup golden raisins
  • 1 Tbsp. capers
  • 1 tsp. olive oil
  • 1 + 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature on the counter.
  2. Preheat the oven to 400F.
  3. Halve the Brussels.
  4. Lay them on a sheet pan and drizzle them with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place them into the oven and set the timer for 25 minutes.
  5. Mix together the maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon. Add in the shallots, raisins and, capers, and allow this to sit while you sear the chicken thighs so the raisins have time to soak up the juices.
  6. After you put the Brussels into the oven, heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil.
  7. Add the chicken thighs and season with salt and pepper. Sear on each side for about 2-3 minutes. Turn the heat off and pour the sauce over the chicken. Toss the chicken in the sauce
  8. Immediately cover the skillet with foil and pop it into the oven to finish cooking.
  9. Cook the chicken for about 10 minutes, or until the juices run clear and the internal temperature is 165F. Remove the vegetables when they’re soft and crispy. Everything should be done at about the same time to make it easy on you.
  10. Serve the chicken over the veggies and enjoy!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 piece
  • Calories: 361
  • Sugar: 19 g
  • Sodium: 5235 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 9 g
  • Protein: 40 g
  • Cholesterol: 143 mg

Mini Baked Apple Pie Oatmeal

These Mini Baked Apple Pie Oatmeals are hearty, healthy and perfectly portioned and you have to try them for breakfast. They have oats, fresh apples, and apple pie spice.

baked apple pie oatmeal topped with Greek yogurt with a bite taken out shot on a white background

It’s no secret around here that I struggle with breakfast. Sometimes if I don’t prep, it’s noon and it’s all caffeine no carbs. No Bueno for this girl because I NEED to eat something sustaining to keep me full and moving all day long. I have a hunch that some of you are like me!

2 baked apple pie oatmeals with apple slices and flowers shot on a white background

Or, you’re in back to school mode with your kiddos or work is firing up this fall and you’re like WHERE have my mornings gone? Either way, we all need a little help in the AM, friends. May I introduce my latest obsession?

Ok, I’m not waiting for your answer. Here it is: Mini Baked Apple Pie Oatmeal. Mhmm, honey. You’re going to need a few ramekins to make this and just a few ingredients, but the best thing is… you bake them at the beginning of the week and pop the already portioned individual servings in the microwave as needed. Or, you can serve them out of the oven to a crowd! This makes 8 servings which is perfect for J and I during the week.

apples sliced and dices with chia seeds flax seeds and oats on a white background

 

baked apple pie oatmeal with apple slices and flowers shot on a white background

 

Actually, he won’t eat traditionally prepared oatmeal, but he loves these. So, if you’ve got a texture freak on your hands…just give this a shot for me ‘eh?

baked apple pie oatmeal with apple slices and Greek yogurt and flowers shot on a white background

 

Print

Mini Baked Apple Pie Oatmeal

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Miss AK
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 8
Print Recipe

Description

These Mini Baked Apple Pie Oatmeals are hearty, healthy and perfectly portioned and you have to try them for breakfast. They have oats, fresh apples, and apple pie spice.

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 room temperature eggs, beaten
  • 2 Tbsp. melted coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1 + 1/4 cups almond milk (or milk of choice)
  • 2 + 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 2 Tbsp. chia seeds
  • 2 Tbsp. ground flax seeds
  • 2 tsp. apple pie spice
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • 2 cups diced apples
  • 8 ramekins or small baking dishes*

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
  2. Mash the bananas in a bowl.
  3. Beat the eggs and add them to the bowl.
  4. Add the coconut oil, maple syrup, almond milk and vanilla. Whisk together well.
  5. Fold in the oats, chia seeds, flax seeds, apple pie spice, baking powder, sea salt, and diced apples.
  6. Pour the oatmeal evenly between each of the ramekins and pop in the oven.
  7. Bake for 30 minutes or until the oatmeals are set and golden brown.

Notes

  • this can also be baked in a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Bake at the same temperature and check after 25 minutes.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 ramekin
  • Calories: 285
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 66 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 6 g
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Cholesterol: 47 mg

Wedding Recap Part 2 – It’s OK to Laugh at the Altar

Wedding Recap Part 2 – Focusing on why it’s OK to laugh at the altar and to let the little things go on your big day.

Wedding Recap Part 2 - Focusing on why it's OK to laugh at the altar and to let the little things go on your big day.

I feel like weddings have this big pile of expectations that we should know attached to them. Like wait…why am I not allowed to print on an invitation envelope? Why are there weird names for bustles on dresses? You mean I actually have to “brush up on” my wedding lingo (yes, a book actually told me that lol)?

If you’re new here, my hubby J and I tied the knot in April this year and it was magical. If you’re curious, you can read more about our engagement and part 1 of the wedding recap. I thought it would be fun to talk about a few things, in hindsight, that are TOTALLY OK to do when you’re planning or at your own wedding. I’m no authority in the wedding space, but maybe, it needs to be said.

Wedding Recap Part 2 - Focusing on why it's OK to laugh at the altar and to let the little things go on your big day.

  1. It’s OK to Laugh at the Altar – J and I wanted a church wedding. I feel like church weddings get a reputation for being hot, stuffy and stiff. We DEFINITELY didn’t want it to be that way. Instead, we worked with a pastor in a church that was rather lighthearted and accepting. The ceremony started out in giggles when the pastor told our guests that we had forgotten the rings, and the reason we were running behind was not because someone had cold feet. We tweaked some traditional vows, made them our own with putting in a clause about always dancing together in the kitchen, and talked about having 12 babies (kidding. maybe). We belly laughed, giggled, and it was all really OK.It's OK to laugh at the altar
  2. It’s OK to Not Invite Everyone You Know – ahh the guest list. everyone’s favorite thing. When I tell people we had 200 people at our wedding they look at me like I have 6 heads when I tell them it was a very intimate gathering. And then I tell them my mom is 1 of 6 and my dad is 1 of 12 and we had like over 90 family members on JUST my side only including first cousins, aunts, uncles and my grandfather and his wife. And you know what, especially on my dad’s side, we’re a really tight-knit bunch, so there wasn’t any obligatory asking of cousins I’ve never met. I would say that 90% of the people there have had a conversation with both Jared and I. Everyone knew someone at their table, and I think it cultivated a really relaxed and jovial vibe. Do I still feel a little funny because I wasn’t able to invite everyone I know on the planet? Yes, I’m a people pleaser. But I’m glad we didn’t. So, if you’re having second thoughts about inviting your second cousin’s ex-wife who you went to camp with and talked to 7 years ago…it’s OK to keep the group close.traditional church wedding traditional father of the bride
  3. It’s OK to Want a Big, Traditional Wedding – I felt a little funny at first admitting I wanted a big white dress, with an overflowing bouquet of flowers and I wanted to marry my best friend in a church and eat a big, sit down dinner with all of my friends and family. It’s been done before, and trendy, small gatherings are all the rage. I CERTAINLY can see why. But that wasn’t Jared and I. If there’s anything these two extroverts love, it’s a good party. So, we did it. We did the beautiful invitations, and the layer cake, and I had myself one big, fluffy white dress. And it was awesome because it was us. And I guess I’m working up the courage to say that I guess it was OK that I wanted that (and maybe it’s OK that I’m that basic).whimsical wedding family photo
  4. It’s OK to NOT want a Big, Traditional Wedding – on the other hand, it is absolutely OK to not want a gigantic affair. I don’t know a lot of people who genuinely WANT 90 family members at their wedding. How cool would an intentional ceremony feel in a quiet corner in your favorite city or forest? My mom is much more introverted, and had just lost her mom the year before her wedding, and as much as she loves my dad, she would have rathered a small, cocktail and dessert reception after a quiet ceremony. And that, my friends, is A-OKAY.
    funny wedding photo poses

    J, my brother and I

    mother daughter wedding photo poses

    my momma and I!

  5. It’s OK to Not Diet – I could write about this for years. YEARS I tell you. There’s a lot of pressure to look perfect on your wedding day. Wedding dress sizes – holy cow. I mean, really, what is that? Are they created for ants? (what is this a center for ants??? – name that movie) And white, it’s my favorite color to wear but it isn’t black if you know what I mean. But you know what it’s OK TO NOT DIET. I guarantee your guy who got down on one knee would rather see you eat a big ole slice of pizza and a glass of wine than watch you cry over the scale. So I’m going to say this to you right now – you are a stunning and marvelous creature, and you will look absolutely radiant on your wedding day exactly as you are. If you want to read more – read my post about not fitting into my wedding dress. traditional navy groom's outfit

    traditional wedding family photos

    siblings!

  6. It’s OK to Not Feel Like a Blushing Bride the Morning of Your Wedding Day – this is kind of a tough one to write but it’s important. I have watched brides on their wedding day wake up, shrieking with excitement. That’s amazing. I wish I could have been that bride who had this crazy grin on her face all day long but I was really out of it. I was surrounded by the most incredible women in the world, but my mom and I have always been really close with my dad and my brother and we both relax more around the two of them. I’m used to a male presence in times of stress and nervous excitement, and I wasn’t allowed to see my three favorite guys, my dad, my brother and my husband, all morning. All I kept thinking about was getting down the aisle to hug Jared. I just wanted to hold his hand. I kept telling myself, “it’s OK you’ll be with him soon”. And I felt beyond guilty. I wanted to be in the moment,  I wanted to be my usual buoyant self. But I wasn’t able to that morning, and that’s OK. I think. I’m still processing, but if you’re feeling out of sorts, kind of like a deer in the headlights, about something around your wedding and you feel like you’re the only girl who has been kind of…off – you’re not alone. And you’ll feel like a bride. I promise. traditional church wedding exit
  7. It’s OK to go to Pre-Marital Counseling – I think this one is my favorite! Marriage counseling, much like any form of therapy, gets a bad wrap. Our counseling was primarily self-lead, and it was kind of a pain sometimes, but it was the one thing we really got to do for just us. And some of it was really fun. Some of it was ugly and dug around the past, but it was mostly really fun, and I’m grateful for it. I don’t think it changed our relationship a lot, but pieces stuck with me and I hope they continue to. Don’t be ashamed. It doesn’t mean you’re broken or in trouble. It means you’re trying to grow and save a beautiful thing.

    funny family wedding poses

    my sweet bro, Matt, who loves to eat as much as I do.

  8. It’s OK to Eat Your Whole Dinner – alright, maybe this is my favorite point. I mean, it involves food, haha. Planning our wedding I had at least 10 people tell me to not worry about the food because I wouldn’t eat anything anyway. I PROVED THEM WRONG. I was a part of the clean plate club at our wedding and I’m proud of it. We did a receiving line during cocktail hour so we said hello to everyone and enjoyed our meal together. And it was glorious, I did not feel rude (which is a big deal for me – people pleaser over here) and it was OK!

classic church wedding photo ideas

I hope this is helpful to you wherever you are in the wedding planning or reflecting stages. I’d love to hear from you. What do you think is OK to do at your own wedding?

Let’s be friends!! Come hang with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest or sign up for my Email List!

Wedding Recap Part 1 – It’s All In The Details

Wedding Recap Part 1 – It’s All In The Details – Starting our wedding recap with a chat about why the little things make your day super special.

Wedding Recap Part 1 - It's All In The Details - Starting our wedding recap with a chat about why the little things make your day super special.

My husband Jared and I were blessed to marry on the most beautiful, HOT April day this past spring. We were honored to share our day with our dear, dear family members and friends and will never forget the kindness that was shown to us in this season. A huge thanks to our wedding photographer, Brianna Wilbur Photography for these images! AND, we feel so blessed to have been able to marry to create a lifelong partnership and relationship.

 

blush and navy bridal party photos

I think most of us can agree that details make an event feel super special and thoughtful. J and I really wanted an event that felt like US. So, we made a list of things that would make our event feel like it was something unique to us, which I totally recommend doing. Here’s what we came up with:

barn setting – Venue – Harvest View Barn at Hershey Farms, Farm Tables – Freedom Farmhouse Tables, Florals by Petals with Style, Lighting by Stray Production 

modern elegant bran venue

 

updated rustic florals

 

etherial – Florals by Petals with Style, Custom Dress by Priscilla Costa Bridal

blush bridal bouquet

modern elegance – florals by Petals with Style, Table Numbers and Menus

.

modern farmhouse wedding

gold and navy wedding place card

 

blush farmhouse table flowers

clean lines

modern farmhouse wedding

warm & personal – invites by the Little House Shop (graphic by J)

antler detail wedding invitations

whimsical tablescapes

whimsical farm table setting

 Classic – Cake by Oregon Dairy , Cake Server by BHLDN

Tip for the cake – order a small layer cake and order kitchen cakes (cheap sheet cakes) to be cut and served from the kitchen. Have your florist adorn the cake with flowers and go for simple. This saved me about $500.

modern classic white wedding cake

Bride’s Details

I chose to have a custom dress made by Priscilla Costa Bridal. The process was nothing short of amazing and I highly recommend this if you have a specific vision you would like to achieve.

a line tulle bridal gown

In the center of my back, you’ll see a piece of my mom’s wedding dress <3 – Earrings by BHLDN (similar linked) (similar linked)

a line low back bridal gown

 

Makeup by MKUP the Beauty Studio 

traditional modern a line gown

Bridesmaids dresses – Bella Bridesmiads

blush bridesmaids dress

Shoes by Badgley Mischka 

traditional wedding shoe

blush dresses

 

Groom’s Details

Suiting by Calvin Klien (similar). The slim fit suits are great for slender but muscular/broad build dudes.

navy and grey groom's suit

Patriotic socks 

bridal party gifts for groomsmen

Custom vest by The Drop

navy and grey groom's suit

navy and grey groom's suit

 

navy and grey groom's suit

 

Make sure to sign up for my email list for more wedding details and recipes!

Let’s be friends!! Come hang with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest or sign up for my Email List!

blush and navy farmhouse wedding

 

Friday Favorites 06.01.18

My favorite eats, photos, sweet memories, ups and downs from yet another week in the life of Miss Allie’s Kitchen – 06.01.18

 

Here’s what hit Pure Taste that I’m loving this week:

Chili Lime Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw 

Chili Lime Shrimp Tacos

Cucumber Dill Deviled Eggs – I made these for a memorial day picnic and they were a HIT!

Cucumber Dill Deviled Eggs

 

Here’s what I made this week:

Coconut Quinoa and Beans from Jessica Murnane

Here’s what I’ve been up to:

I’ve been really interested in natural skin, hair and household care this year. This week, I’ve been playing around with making my own shampoo and an ACV rinse. I’m not sure how it’s going to work out longterm, but if I like it, I’ll be sure to share.

I’ve also been working on a scrub for the tub (hehe, this rhymed) and floors for some heavy duty cleaning. I like making my own cleaning sprays – my favorite right now is below with my own “version” of a Thieves oil blend:

  • 1 part vinegar
  • 1 part water
  • 10 drops of oil blend per cup of the solution made: I use something like THIS

Everything You Need in Your Hiking Daypack

A modern guide to everything you need in your hiking daypack to make sure you’re happy, healthy and prepared without being weighed down.

Everything You Need in Your Hiking Daypack

Paleo Valley was kind enough to provide the product for this post. As always all thoughts and opinions remain my own. Post contains affiliate links.

It’s no secret that my husband J and I love the outdoors. He’s an avid sportsman, I was practically raised in a barn and we both spent many family vacations camping or summer evenings pitching a tent in the backyard.

Over the past few years, we’ve discovered that hiking is something we really enjoy doing together. Whether we’re blazing our own trail on state game lands, hiking to the mountain peak where we got engaged, or finding new paths in our travels we make sure we’re prepared for what nature has to offer.

We rarely hike overnight (although hopefully we will more in the future), so I’m sharing our favorite gear and essentials for what we’re packing in our hiking day packs. I thought it would be fun and helpful to share what we pack because I know so many of you share our love for the outdoors.

We always suggest chatting with a few knowledgeable people before you venture out in a new area, securing food sources, making sure you have enough water, figuring out the forecast, and checking what sort of wildlife are near in the area.

Alrighty, then. To start off, here are the packs that we use:

These are perfect for daytime trips. I will note – the pack that I’m linking here that I use feels a little small and uncomfortable for J and my brother. They’re both pretty strapping dudes over 6’2”, so keep that in mind. I, however, am 5’9”, with a slight frame, and find the Talon 22 to be perfect for me.

Here’s what we always bring with us in our hiking daypacks:

  • Hydration packs
  • Snacks
  • GPS
  • Mace/bear spray
  • Paracord
  • Leatherman
  • Flint and/or magnesium
  • Flashlight
  • First aid kit
  • Bandana

Here’s why:

Hydration packs – we both carry a 72 oz. hydration pack. This is pretty self-explanatory, but both of the backpack models I’ve linked above have special compartments to carry it. I wouldn’t venture out with much less water than that for any hike because you just don’t know.

 

Snacks – we always travel with an abundance of snacks. Here are our favorites:

  • Paleo Valley Grass Fed Beef and Free Range Turkey Sticks – when we’re out there, we need a little meat to keep us moving. We love these meat sticks because they have amazing ingredients, they are CRAZY juicy, and they even have probiotics packed in there with the variety of delish flavors.
  • Oranges – I love to travel with oranges. They don’t bruise as easily as apples and bananas so they can be thrown in the bottom of our packs. They also feel super hydrating.
  • Trail mix – a little sweet, a little salty, a little bit of healthy fat. Aldi has a really great survival mix we love.
  • Date & nut bars – like RX Bar and Lara Bar are great ones to bring, too.

 

A handheld GPS – We bring J’s handheld Garmin 64 ST EVERYWHERE. This thing is worth the price tag. It’s a really high-quality GPS that works when you don’t have service or a clue where you are. We also always put a maker where we start out or park our vehicle, so we can find our way back if we decide to venture off the path. This is a must if you’re going off trail or doing serious hiking in an unknown place.

 

Mace/bear spray – mace is a good idea for self-protection on the regular. You may want to check with the locals in the area on bear spray. We have black bears in PA that are usually harmless so we rarely bring it, but when we ventured into grizzly country out west, we brought a can everywhere.

 

Paracord – A really versatile rope comes in handy for SO many things.

 

Leatherman or multi-tool– J has the Leatherman Wave and it’s always good to have a small knife, tweezers, pliers, scissors, screwdrivers, etc. You never know!

 

Flint and or magnesium – for fire starting. If you plan to make a fire, or if you want to be prepared for when you may need to, these can make your life a little easier. We also have waterproof matches.

 

Flashlight and/or headlamp – throw in some extra batteries for safety. J gave me a headlamp as one of my gifts our first Christmas together (LOL, I know) but it’s actually amazing.

 

First aid kit – self-explanatory but necessary.

 

Bandana – aside from “looking cool” on his head (again, LOL) J likes to keep his bandana with him in the event that he would need to make a tunicate. (can you tell we wrote this together??)

 

These are a sampling of the things we wouldn’t venture out with. Of course, there are so many neat items out there designed to keep you safe and each person has their own preferences. We hope this is helpful for your and that you’ll keep on exploring, too!

 

Friday Favorites

My favorite eats, photos, sweet memories, ups and downs from yet another week in the life of Miss Allie’s Kitchen – 5.25.18

I’ve decided that I’m going to do weekly favorite posts for you – or at least test out this concept. I’m also the content creator at Pure Taste Recipes – and sometimes I feel like those recipes get published over there, and all of you wonderful people never get to see them. Sooooo… I’ll share my favorites that I’ve posted there, things I’ve made this week, and just little here and there randoms for you.

Your feedback is always welcome, sweet friends. Happy weekending!

Here’s what hit Pure Taste that I’m loving this week:

Gluten Free Tomato Tart with Creamy Mozzarella Filling 

The Best Buttery Blueberry Cupcakes 

Barbecue Buffalo Grilled Chicken Legs

Here’s what I made this week for a quick dinner and breakfast prep:

Whole30 Roasted Chicken with Spicy Romesco Sauce 

Whole30 Roasted Chicken with Spicy Romesco Sauce 

Whole30 Roasted Sweet Potato and Coconut Cereal Bowls 

Whole30 Roasted Sweet Potato and Coconut Cereal Bowls 

Andddd…in honor of our honeymoon return – here’s where to eat in Jackson Hole, WY:

A Foodie’s Guide to Jackson Hole, WY

 

    

Join the newsletter

Subscribe to get our latest content by email.
We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit