Category Archives: giveaway

I am…

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13

I am learning to accept change.

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you are forced to deal with it head on. There’s no way around it…it just has to be dealt with. You all know I am one for routines and “sameness” in a way…but right now I am learning that I have to adapt. It’s really eye opening.

I am remembering that writing is my outlet.

Hence, the not so long break…

I am thinking about my future.

I am rediscovering the importance of truth.

(more on this subject tomorrow) 

I am embracing active living.

Walks and yoga>running and gym time…at least for right now. Its what feels right.

I am listening more intently to myself. 

When you really tune in, you discover just how hard it really is to do so and how much you were slacking on it beforehand.

I am redefining what being productive means to me.

I am accepting that life has its phases.

If the one you are in now seems hard, you can get through it knowing that something better and different is right around the corner.

I am learning from my past.

I am realizing that you can’t make the same mistake twice.

The second time it’s a choice.

I am shifting my priorities.

I am acknowledging that nothing is forever.

Even if you can’t do something right now…it doesn’t always have to be that way. If you persevere through tough times, in no time you will be back to living exactly the life you want to live.

I am taking up new hobbies and discovering new passions.

I am clearing the clutter and getting organized in a whole new way.

Both physically and mentally.

I am finding me.

And right now…I am thanking all of you.

I know this post and the last few have been a bit cryptic…but I want you all to know I am okay.

Thank you for all the comments, tweets, emails, and all around genuine outreaches of support this past week. You reminded me that during tough times, the worst thing you can do is fold into yourself and stop connecting with others. The community we’ve built here is so strong and SO helpful. That’s why I’ve decided I am going to keep blogging at my normal frequency. It truly is my outlet for expression and stress relief…and being connected with all of you on a regular basis helps immensely!

So I have a little giveaway for you all just to show how much you really do mean to me!

Some of my favorite products are up for grabs and there will be two winners! Believe me…if I had enough money to send you all a prize…I WOULD! (sadly, shipping costs are B*TCH!! Winking smile)

One prize pack has:

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Humus Maximus and Seedlander Dr. Kracker’s, Black Mate Tea, and Peanut Flour!

And the other has:

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Purple Rice Crackers, Seedlander and Klassic Three Seed Dr. Kracker’s, and Raw Cashews!

To enter:

-Leave me a comment telling me something you are doing to live your best life!

You can get an additional entry for doing any of the following…

The giveaway will end Sunday night!

Have a happy day friends.

Kaila

 Subscribe on the side. Follow me on Twitter. Ask me on Formspring. Friend me on Daily Mile. Follow me on Pinterest. Like me on Facebook.

 

Not Too Shabby! {giveaway}

Posted on
72

Happy Almost Weekend Everyone!

Just a quick pop-in from me tonight!

Despite having the week (or at least 4 days of it!) off, I have to go into to school tomorrow for a bit to give a commentary for IB. Basically we go in, are given a random passage/piece of poetry, have twenty minutes to annotate it, and then have to discuss and analyze it for another twenty minutes while be recorded. Talk about stressful!

So I spent the day prepping for that! That means nothing to exciting to share…except:

AN AWESOME GIVEAWAY!

Two giveaways in one week?! You bet!

(speaking of the other giveaway…the winner still hasn’t come forward and if they don’t by Saturday I am picking a new winner!)

And this one is unlike any other one I have ever done before! It’s for all you fashionista’s out there.

shabbyapple

A couple of days ago, the nice people over at Shabby Apple offered me the opportunity to share with all of you some of their cute products! I wasn’t very familiar with Shabby Apple prior to them reaching out, but all it took was one trip to their website to know I like their stuff!

They seriously have EVERYTHING! Dresses to skirts to jewelry to swimwear! Even things for your home. And everything has a cool vintage feel to it…totally appropriate for the trends right now!

Some of my faves from the site:

shabbydress

boots

heartnecklace

I especially like the fitness gear…everything looks so COMFY!

jacket

shorts

pinkshirt

I highly encourage you to check out the site for yourself! But let your wallets be warned…you might just fall in love with something!

Luckily, for one of you, the people over at Shabby Apple allowed me to pick one item for a giveaway!

Here’s what’s up for grabs:

necklace

A beautiful KEY TO WONDERLAND necklace!

necklaceonlady

Hand made in the USA baby! (oh YEAH.)

I have to admit, I’m a little jealous. I may even consider entering this giveaway myself…just kidding. Maybe. Winking smile

THANKS SHABBY APPLE!

Here’s how to enter:

Mandatory-Like Shabby Apple on Facebook and leave a comment telling me you did so!

Follow me on Twitter

Tweet the following: “Score some fashionable finds from @Healthy_Helper! Check out her @ShabbyApple giveaway: http://healthyhelperblog.com/2012/01/27/not-too-shabby-giveaway/“

Link back to this giveaway!

Add me to your blogroll!

Answer the following question: What is your favorite accessory?

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You have until Sunday night to enter friends!

This giveaway is open to US readers only…sorry international friends!

Good luck everyone! Be back tomorrow for some more fun!

Kaila

Subscribe on the side. Follow me on Twitter. Ask me on Formspring. Friend me on Daily Mile. Follow me on Pinterest.

Updates (Giveaway!)

Posted on
91

Sorry I left ya hanging last night! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…I AM EXHAUSTED ON FRIDAY’S! It feels like all the stress from the week compounds itself and just lands on me when Friday hits. I get tired SO quick!

So needless to say…I fell asleep early. On the floor. While reading blogs.

[I wish I looked that cute sleeping on the floor!]

I looked more like this…

Smile Ooooops.

But I ‘m here now! With two fun things to share! One of them being an awesome giveaway…so that makes up for my blogging fail right?

I thought so.

Before we get to the giveaway however, I wanted to revisit one of my most popular recipes. It also happens to be one of my FAVORITE dishes ever!

Sweet Potato Lentil Chili.

Ever since I made this for my family on Christmas Eve, a lot of them have been begging me for the recipe. I could have just referred them to my original post about it, but I realized I have really adapted the recipe since first making it! Lots of yummy changes that have only made the chili better!

So, I thought I would revise my original recipe and share with you some of the changes and tweaks I’ve made. Cause seriously…it was good before, but now its like, INCREDIBLE.

Sweet Potato Lentil Chili (updated version)

  • 1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into small cubes
  • 1 yam, peeled and cut into small cubes
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 bunch of kale, chopped
  • 2 stalks of celery, chopped
  • 1 large carrot, chopped
  • 1 green pepper, diced
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 cup of mushrooms, chopped
  • 1 small zucchini, chopped
  • 1 32 oz container of veggie broth (low sodium if possible)
  • 1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
  • 1 16 oz can no salt added diced tomatoes
  • 1 can of tomato paste (no salt added if possible)
  • 1 cup split red lentils
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, rosemary, cumin, basil, chili powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and dried basil

A few of my family members asked for an option with meat: I would recommend using a lean meat like Bison, Turkey, or Chicken! Any of the three would be great! Just brown it up and add it to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients!

Turn on your crock pot to its highest setting. Sauté potatoes, onion, garlic, celery, and peppers until soft. Place veggies in the cooker, followed by the kale, and the canned tomato products. Mix all the these ingredients up, then add the lentils, beans, veggies stock, and the rest of the veggies. Mix again until all the ingredients are evenly distributed. At this point you can add your spices or wait a few hours until all the ingredients are cooked down a bit.

Cook on low for about 8 hours or on high for about 6!

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But you be the judge because everyone’s crockpot is different! Basically all the veggies should be soft as well as the lentils!

NOTE: This chili can be made in a normal pot as I suggested when I first posted the recipe! I just find that the slow cooker really brings out the flavors and makes it even more tasty!

YUM! I want some right now! Luckily I think I have a few servings in my freezer…can’t wait to thaw those out!

Now onto what I know you’ve been waiting for! THE GIVEAWAY!

Last month I reviewed one of Eat Smart’s Precision Pro Scales (here’s the link if you missed it!). It worked great and I LOOOOVED it for use when baking.

Well Eat Smart has generously offered to give one of my readers their very own Precision Pro!

Nice, right?!

Here’s how to enter:

You have until Tuesday to enter! GOOD LUCK!!!

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Today is my dad’s birthday so I will be spending the day with home celebrating!!!

Happy Birthday Dad! Love you!

I’ll be back with a recap tomorrow!! We’re going to an awesome restaurant!

Kaila

Subscribe on the side. Follow me on Twitter. Ask me on Formspring. Friend me on Daily Mile. Follow me on Pinterest.