When Life Gets Crazy

Tap, tap. This thing on?

Anyone out there?

Helloooooo? (echo…echo…echo…)

It goes without saying that life has been crazy lately. There is SO much going on, and I wish I could share it all with you, but I’m not going to, simply because I don’t want to get your hopes up along with mine, and I don’t want to jinx anything. Yes, I’m dorky like that.

It’s definitely been a struggle to stay healthy and positive at all times, but I’m growing more everyday. Each day I learn how to better manage myself, my commitments, my health and my sanity.  I’m also learning about how to give up some control. I like everything perfectly lined up, organized and planned, but life doesn’t always align with that (haha). So I’m also learning to loosen up a bit and just roll with the waves of life.

How am I dealing?

Simplicity

Seriously, keep it simple. Simple meals, simple foods, simple anything! It’s necessary.

Do Things as I Come to Them

Sounds ridiculously obvious, but I save myself a lot of time in the long run if I wash that dish as soon as I’m done with it instead of leaving it by the sink. Same with clothes. Instead of tossing that shirt I decided not to wear to the side, hang it back up right away. (I know I can’t be the only one who tends to toss first!)

Clean Home = Clean Mind

I know this isn’t true for everyone, but it definitely rings true for me. If there’s clutter around my home, I’ll feel more frantic and stressed mentally. Spending 10 minutes each night before bed doing a quick clean up makes all the difference in the world to my sanity.

Prep Ahead

If you’re like me and on the go constantly, it is so helpful to take another 10 minutes before bed to prepare on-the-go meals and snacks for the next day, as well as mentally map out your day and what you’ll need. Are you going to work out before or after work? Prep your workout clothes and have a water bottle ready to go in the fridge. Big meeting at work? Set aside what you’ll wear, down to the shoes and jewelry. There’s nothing worse than getting anxious about being late when you can’t find the pearl earrings to match the pearl necklace you wanted to wear.

Multi-Task

One of my favorite ways to multi-task lately is to combine exercise with hubby time. Even though we’re both really busy and have a ton to do, we’re taking an hour most days of the week to go on a walk/ jog together. It’s amazing for us, physically and relationally.

Have Something to Look Forward To

A lot of the craziness in my life should wrap up within the next month, so I am ridiculously giddy about a family trip to North Carolina in early July. The cabin looks amazing, and I’m looking forward to have a break, unplugging, mountain biking, hiking, walking, white water rafting, doing whatever! It helps so much to remind myself to give it my all and keep pushing now, because fun relaxation is just around the corner!

Power Punch Nutrition

I don’t have time to make elaborate meals with many nutritious components, so I tend to multi-task with my food too. Having a fruit smoothie? Throw in a serving of brown rice protein powder for a protein punch of staying power and a couple cups of spinach to up your veggie count for the day. Making oatmeal? Try this tasty way I made oatmeal this morning! Great combination of carbohydrates and protein!

Fluffy Protein "Cheesecake" Oats

• 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/3 cup water
• 6 Tablespoons of egg whites (or 2 egg whites)
• 2 Tablespoons of part-skim ricotta

Over low heat, cook the water and old fashioned oats. After just a minute or two, add the egg whites and ricotta. Stir continuously with a fork until your oats are fluffy and creamy!

Based on a quick look at nutrition labels and some simple math, these oats have 190 calories and 10.5 grams of protein. This makes a great mini-meal or snack. Plus they taste delicious!

I topped mine with a few blueberries and a drizzle of local wildflower honey.

Quick tip: did you know that if you cut your honey bear nozzle at an angle, it won’t drip and get sticky? It’s amazing! It looks brand new below and I promise I’ve never cleaned it off.

With the blueberries and honey, it definitely tasted a bit more like a "cheesecake", although you could totally go a more savory route, too.

So, all that said – I miss you all! So please, tell me – what’s going on in your lives? And how do you save time and live more efficiently when life has gotten a little crazed?