Sisters

Our girls...

I type that with a smile because we have reached the point where Ava is now trying her best to play with her little sister, Elle. 

Since Elle is only 6 months old, Ava is tickling her, "reading" to her, and holding her when mama is close by. Elle adores Ava already. Whenever Ava is around, Elle is happier and she can't take her eyes off of her. 

I sent my husband a video yesterday of Ava tickling Elle. It was the first time that I caught Ava playing with Elle on her own without one of us asking her to. I was in the kitchen and Elle was on her foam mats in the living room. I started to hear Elle giggle and came over to find her cracking up because of big sister. 

My husband wrote back, "That just made my day." 

It made my entire last 6 months! 

I am not going to sugarcoat a thing when I say that these last 6 months have been pretty tough for me. 

Between Mark traveling back and forth from Chicago to help manage the branch up there, waking every 3 hours to breastfeed Elle at night, and just trying to learn my "new normal" of taking care of two small children while keeping our house clean and running smoothly... This mama is tired! 

When I saw Ava tickling Elle, my heart was full. I was reminded again why we decided to have another baby. Mark and I wanted another child to love as well as a sibling for Ava. In that moment, my exhaustion was worth it all. They will only be little for so long but this sisterly bond that they are forming is just beginning. 

My husband and I both have siblings who we love very much but didn't grow up with them. My siblings lived with my father and step mother and my husband's did too. My husband's mother later had two little boys once he was graduating high school and going off to college. For most of our childhood, we grew up as only children. We are not complaining though. We both agree that we had great childhoods while still getting to visit our siblings. We also both agree that just because we aren't familiar with a different situation than our own, it doesn't mean that it cannot be equally as great or even better. We wanted to grow our family and experience being parents to siblings while watching that relationship form and grow on a daily basis. We know that we will have to play mediator to disagreements and such, but we will also get to watch a lifelong bond unfold as well. 

I am grateful for our family and wouldn't change a thing. Not even the sleepless nights... 

It won't be like this for long. 

A loyal sister is worth a thousand friends. 

– Marian Eigerman

"The best thing about having a sister was that I always had a friend."

-Cali Rae Turner

My Pitaya Bowl Recipe

Instagram:   @christinamcguire 

 

HI there! 

So I have been a bit MIA in the blog world lately. Truth is,  I took a little social media break... 

(I'll save that for another post) 

I thought I would get back on the blog wagon with a post that I have been meaning to share. This is one of my favorite things to eat: Pitaya Bowls! Every time I post these beauties, I get a lot of questions about it. A lot of my friends have never heard of Pitaya. Pitaya (also called Dragon Fruit) reminds me a little of kiwi. It has the tiny seeds and a similar consistency. It is less tart than kiwi but adds a gorgeous color to anything you add it too. (Note: not all Pitaya have the hot pink inside. The first one I ever ate had a white inside. Tastes the same without the color.) 

I wanted to post this recipe because with all of the questions I get about it, this is a super simple and very healthy meal to whip up for yourself. (Oh, and it is GORGEOUS!) 

" Dragon fruits have a surprising number of phytonutrients. Rich in antioxidants, they contain vitamin C (equivalent to 10 percent of the daily value), polyunsaturated (good) fatty acids, and several B vitamins for carbohydrate metabolism, as well as carotene and protein. Calcium is present for strong bones and teeth, iron and phosphorus for healthy blood and tissue formation. The benefits are realized in a number of ways, from a strengthened immune system and faster healing of bruises and wounds to fewer respiratory problems.

Dragon fruits have zero complex carbohydrates, so foods can be more easily broken down in the body, helped by vitamin B1 (thiamin) and other B vitamins. The phytochemical captin, used as a medication to treat heart problems, is present in the fruit itself, and an oil in the seed operates as a mild laxative.

The seeds of dragon fruits are high in polyunsaturated fats (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) that reduce triglycerides and lower the risk of cardiovascular disorders. Eating dragon fruit can help the body maintain such normal function as ridding the body of toxic heavy metals and improved eyesight. Lycopene, responsible for the red color in dragon fruit, has been shown to be linked with a lower prostate cancer risk."  (click to read more) 

The hardest part of this recipe is finding Pitaya (aka: Dragon fruit) at your local farmer's market or health food market. I have had good luck at our local Whole Foods with my Pitaya. 

Here it goes... 

Pitaya Bowl Recipe 

2 peeled & frozen bananas 

1 Pitaya 

1/2 cup to 1 cup of your favorite granola: I like this organic Coconut Chia Granola 

Your favorite toppings:  I like fresh mango pieces. chia seeds, shaved coconut, goji berries, banana slices, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, the list goes on!) 

1. Cut your Pitaya fruit in half. You can use the whole Pitaya or use 1/2. I usually use 1/2 and save the other 1/2 for the following day. 

Scoop out the center (It has a kiwi's consistency) and place into your blender with your frozen bananas. 

2. Blend until smooth. 

3. Add 1/2 cup to 1 cup (depending how hungry you are!) of your favorite granola into a bowl and then pour the blended Pitaya/Banana mixture over the granola. 

4. Top with your favorite toppings. Have fun with it!

 (Note: If using goji berries - I like to hydrate them before eating. I place my berries into a cup of water and let them plump up while I prep this recipe so that they're soft and not as tart. 

Click: I buy these at Whole Foods.) 

5. Enjoy this delicious and healthy beauty! 

Let me know how you make yours! 

xx

Christina 

Our Friday Playdate at Sugar Sand Park + Joey's Bakery

Today was so much fun! 

The girls and I met up with my friend, Jereann, and her two kids, Sophia and Dominic. 

We first stopped at Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton to check out the "Children's Science Explorium", the carousel, and the surrounding play areas. 

Ava loved the area that had these rubber balls that would "float" as the air from the bottom would shoot them up when you would throw them into that area. 

Her friend, Sophia, liked it too. 

Making friends

Later came the carousel... 

Sophia waving hi

 

So, let me preface these next few photos...

Basically, there was this "1 adult per child rule" for smaller kids. Basically, one of us moms had to stay with the infants that were sleeping in the strollers while we took turns taking our toddlers on the carousel.
Ava didn't understand this rule when I told her that we have to wait our turn to go on because mommy has to watch the babies and that Sophia's mommy wasn't allowed to go on with both of them.

The Meltdown begins....

Stomping.

 

Begging. 

Crying. 

Screaming. 

Fun times...

Then, it was Ava's turn! 

Happy again! 

The life of a toddler... 

Meltdown to pure joy within 1 minute. 

Well, that kind of sounds like my life as a mother of a toddler too... haha 

After the park, we drove up to  Boynton Beach to have lunch and do some cupcake taste testing at Joey's Bakery for Sophia's upcoming 3rd birthday party. 

Ava trying to feed Sophia blueberries and grapes. 

I can't stand the cuteness with the hand holding. 

Ava offering Sophia some water.

Thanks for inviting us today, Sophia! Ava always has a blast with you. 

Soon, Elle and Dominic will be old enough to to join the fun...

Elle is almost 3 months old already. Time is flying! 

Well that's it! 

Hope everyone has a great weekend! 

XO

Christina 

Elle Meets the Beach

Hi there. Hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend.

Here are some pictures from Elle's 1st time at the beach. Elle stayed under the shade of our tent the entire time so it wasn't very eventful for a 3 month old. However, our 2 year old daughter, Ava, had a blast! She made sand castles with her uncles and played along the shore with her two grandmas. 

Our New Delivery Service for Organic Produce!

Today has been so much fun and it has nothing to do with shots of tequila for Cinco de Mayo...ha

We received our first delivery of organic fruits and vegetables right to our doorstep. Today was the launch date for a new local business called Fresh Life Organics. 

 Once I looked into it, Mark and I were sold on the idea. We loved that we are supporting a small, local business and....did I mention there is NO delivery fee for this awesome service!? You just pay for the produce and that's it. 

What is even better is that you can be involved in what goes into your weekly box of produce. For example, if you'd like less zucchini but more carrots, you just reply to their weekly (changing) menu email and state your preferences if you have any to adjust. 

Also, if you are not home on Tuesdays at the time of delivery, you can let them know where they can place your box of produce (ie: On the side of your home, in your carport, by the rocking chairs...whatever!) There is also a small ice pack inside the box so that your produce comes nicely chilled to keep freshness while it waits for you. Also, if you have a cooler that you'd rather them deliver it to, you can place it outside in a location where they find. You can let them know this in your "special instructions" email for your weekly order. 

The choices are basic and easy to navigate.

 (But I can bet you that they will be expanding their options with time which is exciting!) 

There is a "regular" and "large" size box. 

You can also choose whether you would like "JUST veggies" or "JUST fruits" / or a "MIX of both". We chose the Large Box of Mixed Fruits and Veggies. 

With all this personalization, free delivery, supporting local business, and eating organic - how is this NOT a great idea?! 

This week's menu for our order: the Large box of Fruits and Veggies.

Photos from my Instagram account @ChristinaMcGuire

I got to meet the owner herself! She is super nice and even had a few seconds to chat.
I thought that she was so friendly. She even asked what "my story" is... I told her a little about myself recently completing my health coaching program and how I hope to work with local businesses like hers one day once I can begin health coaching others.

It is awesome to now have a direct relationship with where some my family's food is coming from. It was great meeting you, Jessica. I look forward to working with you in the future once I get some more time from the kiddos. 

Our order! Super fresh.
I could not be happier. 

There you have it. 

The McGuire Family is happy to be part of the Fresh Life Organics family. 

XO

Christina

FreshLifeOrganics.com

@freshlifeorganics on Instagram

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