Peacefully Unaffected by Life... Huh?

 



"But sometimes we mistake our ability to be unaffected by life... as peace."
Ian Morgan Cron - The Road Back to You

Today feels heavy. 

Know what I mean? Those days that leave you with feelings that make emotional pain feel physical?

I lost my stepdad 8 years ago today, unexpectedly, at age 43. 

My dad buries his best friend (for my whole life) today. 

We dealt with a very emotionally challenging, nearly debilitating foster care experience 6 years ago this month. 

AND it's National Infertility Awareness Week... poking at a wound that's still very much open for me. 

Add that to the normal stressors of life... 

Yeah, I feel like I've got a bag of bricks sitting on my chest, sand in my eyes, and a fog taking over my brain.

I have even admitting these things. I'm a natural peacemaker. An enneagram 9. I'm one who innately feels the urge to be a calming presence around others... take on their feelings... go with the flow... ease the stress... soften the blows of life... help heal broken hearts. 

It's not comfortable to admit my own fears, hurts, frustrations, and angers. 

But, if self-care and therapy have taught me anything, it's that I need to be cared for and calmed, too. 

It's hard for people to do that if they don't know you're in pain, right? It's hard for YOU to do it if you don't admit it to yourself, too!

Yep, I'm having a conversation with you and me today. 

The quote I started with really hit me when I heard it this week. I took pride in "zoning out." I thought I was strong for pushing down what I was feeling and pretending it didn't exist. 

But that's just it... it actually does. 

I'll forever be that girl that chooses to rise above, pursue big things, laugh hard anyway, love without condition... but, I still have to acknowledge my inner voice and listen to it on occasion. She deserves to be heard, too. 

If you're like me, and feel like there's no point in "letting it out," listen... That's malarkey. There is! Even if you're the only one that gets it.





The Superman



Hey hey! What. A. Day.

Today, while coaching some leaders on my team, I had to take my own advice. 

"You can do anything, but you can't do everything. Take a step back and determine which projects are most important and why. Then decide which "why's" have the most impact overall... and start there."

If you're a motivated individual, chances are you're highly driven, responsible, organized, and reliable. 

AMAZING qualities. 

And also a breeding ground for stress and burnout if not nurtured appropriately. 

Let go of some pressure. Most things can wait a bit. Deal with what can't and then take breather!

For me, tonight, I'm sipping on a yummy drink, slipping into pjs, and binging a show.

And after today, I will not feel bad for it!

Recipe for The Superman below:




Dissolve:

1/4 tsp green tea powder
1/2 tsp 4c orange energy powder
1/4 tsp Koolaid tropical punch
into 6 oz hot water.

Pour into a 32 oz tumbler. 

Insert straw. 

Pack with ice and then coat with 2 oz. aloe vera berry juice. 

Dissolve:

1/2 tsp Starburst blue raspberry drink mix
1/4 tsp Jolly Rancher green apple drink mix
in 8 oz cold water.

Pour over ice.

Drink up!

The Superman has become my Kryponite!

Beautiful. Refreshing. Low Calorie. Yummy!





 

The Patriot

 



Working from home allowed me to make two loaded teas today!

This guy is perfect for any patriotic event... or just to please your tastebuds. So handsome. So yummy!

Dissolve:

1/4 tsp black tea powder
1/2 tsp 4c berry energy powder
1/4 tsp Sonic cherry limeade mix
in 6 oz hot water. 

Pour into a 32 oz tumbler. 

Insert straw. (Pack with ice.)

Coat with 2 oz of aloe vera berry juice. 

Dissolve:

1/2 tsp Starburst blue raspberry mix
1/4 tsp GV blue raspberry energy mix

Drink up!



"No man can be a patriot on an empty stomach."
-- William Cowper





Mermaid Juice

 




Can't get enough of loaded tea creations!

Introducing my special Mermaid Juice. 

Fun, satisfying, and adored by the littles. (Maybe leave out the Guarana.)

Dissolve:

1/4 tsp green tea powder
1/8 tsp Guarana powder
1/2 tsp 4c citrus energy powder
1/4 tsp 4c orange energy powder
1/4 tsp Crystal Light raspberry green tea
in 6 oz hot water. 

Pour into a 32 oz tumbler. 

Insert straw. (Pack with ice.)

Coat with 2 oz of aloe vera berry juice. 

Dissolve:

1/2 tsp Crystal Light raspberry lemonade
1/4 tsp GV blackberry lemonade
in 8 oz cold water. 

Enjoy!






The Desert Rose



This gal was fun, too! Say hey to Desert Rose. 

Dissolve:

1/4 tsp green tea powder
1/4 tsp 4c orange energy powder
1/2 tsp citrus 4c energy powder
in 6 oz hot water. 

Pour into a 32 oz tumbler. 

Insert straw. (Pack with ice.)

Coat with 2 oz of aloe vera berry juice.

Dissolve:

1/4 tsp Koolaid tropical punch
1/2 tsp GV blue raspberry energy mix
in 8 oz cold water. 

Pour over ice. 

Enjoy!






 

Easter Egg Cupcakes



Happy Easter, friends!

Huge thanks to @cake_me_home_tonight for their perfect vanilla cupcake recipe!

They paired perfectly with this little bird's nest idea for the top.

Light, fluffy deliciousness, crowned with buttercreamy goodness, and Eastery cuteness to bring it all together for the day!

Cupcakes:

1 egg, room temperature
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk, room temperature
2 tbsp sour cream, room temperature

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a cupcake pan with 12 parchment cupcake liners.
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine. 
Add in milk, vegetable oil, sour cream, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined with the dry ingredients. Do no over mix. 
Portion the cupcake batter into the cupcake liners using a large cookie scoop, about 3/4 full. 
Bake for 20 minutes, until the tops of the cupcakes bounce back slightly when touched. 
Remove the cupcake pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. 
Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.




Buttercream Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp heavy cream

In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with a whisk attachment, add in room temperature unsalted butter. Whip the butter for 5 minutes on medium-high speed, scraping down the sides occasionally. The butter will be light, fluffy, and pale in color. 

Add one half of the powdered sugar and mix on the lowest speed setting until fully combined. Add remaining powdered sugar and continue to mix on low until incorporated. 

Add vanilla extract and salt and mix on low until combined. Slowly drizzle in the heavy cream. 

Turn the speed on the mixer to medium-high and whip for 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure the frosting is well mixed. 

If desired, switch to a paddle attachment on the stand mixer and mix buttercream on low speed for 2 additional minutes to remove air bubbles to create smooth frosting. 

Pipe onto the cupcakes with a pastry bag and desired piping tip. 

(Cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To serve, bring them back to room temperature.



To keep up with my Easter theme, I shaved chocolate from a Hershey bar using a cheese slicer. I did this directly over the top of the cupcake, already topped with frosting, and let the shavings fall wherever they wanted. (You may have to rearrange a few to get the full effect.)

I topped my little nests with MnM eggs. (Cadbury was sold out!) These colors were perfect, though!

This whole experience was fun. It was a lot of work, honestly, but worth every minute. I was so proud of these babies. They looked incredible and tasted delicious. The family was impressed, and the littles thought they were the coolest things ever. 

Mission accomplished. 











Beachy Vibes



I'm so stinkin' proud of this guy here!

Aaron and I took little lady to "Puppy Palooza" today in Louisville. Loads of fun, surrounded by furries, Red Top Dog food truck (so clever), and puppies to cause the gals to swoon. 

What a great morning!

When we got home, we were all ready for a cool pick-me-up beverage, so duh, I made a loaded tea. 

I love the beachy vibes I get from this one... appearance and taste! So that's his name. My first very own loaded tea recipe- "Beachy Vibes."

Dissolve:

1/4 tsp green tea powder
1 tsp 4c orange energy powder
1/2 tsp Starburst all pink mix
in 6 oz hot water. 

Pour into a 32 oz tumbler. 

Insert straw. (Pack with ice.)

Coat with 2 oz of aloe vera berry juice. 

Dissolve 1/2 tsp Tropical Skittles Pineapple Passionfruit mix in 8 oz cold water. 

Pour over ice. 

So yummy!

And how beautiful is he?

Try it out and let me know what you think!







 

Bake with Kristi B -- Soft Launch



This is what I do for fun!

The first #bakewithkristib event was an absolute, successful blast. 

I started with a small, soft launch to test registration, planning, timing, space, etc. 





These gals were such a blast to teach, and each did so great! They made me so proud. 

We started with an easy recipe that they could make their own. Banana muffins, with the option of chocolate chips, blueberries, or peanut butter. 


These little ladies all wanted chocolate chips. (You know it!)



I love that they were all very much into the whole process.




They all listened intently, asked questions, and followed every instruction. 

My heart overflowed with joy just seeing how much this meant to them. Kids really do just want to learn, feel accepted and capable, and have fun.





The smiles that covered their faces when their very own muffins were ready to eat were priceless. And I couldn't get away with not trying a bite of each one! They were spot on. Pretty, too!







I can't wait to have my own children one day... but until then, I'll invest in yours!

I know it's all about pouring into them, and I'm here for it... But honestly, it sure does feed my soul a little, too. 

I'm already thinking of our next treat and can't wait to set the date for the second bake-off!




I think they're ready for it, too!