We are all like precious stones. We all come in different shapes and sizes. It is when we are cut and polished that we begin to live a more radiant life. The Wild Gems hopes to inspire you to live life to the fullest and to enjoy every moment!
There is so much power to affirmations. If/when we tell ourselves these things we actually trick our brains into believing it. We believe it and we then become it.
Currently I’m tricking my brain into believing that I am a patient mother. Which some days I am, but I know I can be better. When you joke that you were the hulk the other day that there is a cue for some personal growth improvement.
So recently when I’ve been having challenging moments with my girls and they are giving me some attitude I begin to say out loud, “I am a patient mother and I love my children.” I say it a few times even. And it truly helps me not to loose my cool. You have to say it out loud though. Trust me, it works.
I say these specifically when I feel myself going into fight or flight mode. A patient mother is something that I want to become. Patient and slow to anger. If I continue to identify with “patient mother” and that I am “slow to anger” I will become it.
Now, the same goes for the negative things that we tell ourselves. If we continue to speak negatively of ourselves, we then will believe that too. We have to really be mindful of the things that we tell ourselves and how we identify who we are.
We choose how we wish to identify ourselves. And if we are consistent with telling ourselves these affirming truths then great things will become of it.
If you want it, you must will it, and if you will it, it WILL be yours!”
Sven – Happy Feet 2
Say these specific affirmations below with your kids often and maybe have it printed out and hang it somewhere where they can read it often.
We are shaping the future! Kinda scary, right? I know we can do it though. We love our children and we only want the best for them. We want them to truly know in their hearts how special they are! We know it, but they need to know it and believe it too!
These affirmations will guide them in ways we can’t even imagine yet.
Peace be with you all and our children.
I am brave.
I am kind.
I am smart.
I am strong.
I am helpful.
I am beautiful.
I can do hard things.
I am grateful.
I am loved.
I know my worth.
If there’s an affirmation that you feel should be included leave a comment!
This is the perfect lunch or dinner when you need something quick and super easy!
When the husband approves, it’s a win and worth sharing.
Although, I can’t really take full credit for this. I was inspired by this salad I get every so often at this restaurant in town. Unfortunately I don’t get to eat out often and enjoy it as much as I’d love to because I have 3 little ones that take up a lot of time and energy!
Sometimes you have to improvise when you can’t get your hands on the real deal. But sometimes you come up with something even better! And easier!
Honestly, it’s just buying stuff at the grocery store and combing it all to get this delicious salad full of flavor.
I’m sharing with you all this easy recipe you can make at home that everyone will love.
You won’t feel guilty after eating, perfect for enjoying outside in some nice weather, and pairs well with sangria or your favorite mock-tail.
Enjoy!
Ultimate Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad
Serves 4-6 people
(Takes less then 30 mins to prepare)
What you need:
One rotisserie chicken
1 box of suddenly pasta – Caesar flavor
1/2 can of black olives chopped finely (optional)
1/2-3/4 can of pinto beans
1 family size bag of Caesar salad kit
1/2 to 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese
1 large ripe avocado diced
1-2 handfuls of grape tomatoes sliced in halves
(What to look for)
Steps:
Prepare pasta as it says on the box (including the seasoning mix) set aside in a medium bowl.
Shred your rotisserie chicken, chop your tomatoes, dice your avocado, open the can of beans and set aside.
Prepare the Caesar salad in a bowl.
Add the chopped olives (if doing) , pinto beans, and chopped tomato. Next add the tricolor pasta and the chicken. Mix well. Then add your diced avocado and mix once more.Top with cracked black pepper and enjoy!
I made these for my girls for breakfast and we indulged! They were so yummy! Especially with freshly chopped strawberries!
I hope you enjoy these as much as we did!
Servings: 6 pastry twists
What You Need:
1 17oz package of Pepperidge Puff Pastry
5 – 6 generous globs of Nutella (measure with your heart)
3 give or take tablespoons of softened unsalted butter
Egg wash (1 egg white and a dash of milk)
Steps :
1. Thaw out your frozen pastry (35-40 mins). Once thawed out preheat oven to 400.
2. Lay your first sheet of puff pastry on parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Spread the Nutella evenly.
3. Lay the second puff pastry directly on top of the puff pastry covered in Nutella. Slice in 6 strips and twist. The twisting doesn’t need to be perfect at all.
4. Bake at 400 for 13-15 minutes. Bake until golden. Once the pastries are done remove from oven and brush with softened butter and allow it to melt all over the twists. Cool for 5 mins.
5. Serve with freshly chopped strawberries and powdered sugar.
Enjoy!
This is the puff pastry. Amazing!Slice in 6 strips.
This is an easy dinner recipe that’s even better the next day! Perfect meal for enjoying in this summer weather.
Cool crisp lettuce cups served with ground chicken, bell peppers, pineapple, and cashews in a sweet tangy Thai Sauce. Served over rice with sweet chili sauce for drizzling.
What You Need:
1 lb to 1 1/2 lbs of ground chicken
2 bell peppers sliced
3 tablespoons of unsalted butter
3 tablespoons of olive oil
1/4 – 1/2 cup of soy sauce
2-3 tablespoons of Thai Red Curry Paste
3 tablespoons of honey
3/4 cups of cashews
3 teaspoons of minced garlic
3/4 to 1 cup of pineapple
One bunch of cilantro finely chopped (extra for garnish)
1. Start by warming up your skillet on a medium heat. Add the olive oil, then your chicken. Season with salt and pepper and the ginger if using. Once the chicken gets cooking add the 3 tablespoons of butter, the minced garlic, and the 2 tablespoons of red curry paste.
2. Once the chicken is cooked through add your sliced bell peppers, cashews, and pineapple. Cook for 5 minutes. Then add your soy sauce and honey. Cook until everything is evenly distributed. Add cilantro and basil, mix, and cook for another minute. Remove from heat.
3. Serve the chicken and peppers mix over rice with lettuce cups on the side. Garnish with additional cilantro and drizzle over sweet Thai chili.
In this season of my life my kids are who I am spending most of my time with, if not almost all of it. Two seven years olds, an almost 4 year old, and a 1 year old.
Yes, it can be overwhelming at times but it’s also always a party as my toddler says. “Mom it’s like a party here!” We have a lot of fun and so many priceless moments. They are my teachers.
I knew before I even had kids that when I had kids I was going to become a stay at home mom. I wanted to marry someone who really understood that this is what I wanted. I had my own personal reasons for wanting motherhood so badly but I also knew being a mother was a very important role. When I actually had kids I realized how truly IMPORTANT this role was.
I am shaping my children everyday. I influence them, and then they influence others, and then in a way I am responsible for the others that they influence. It can feel like a lot of pressure at times. Being conscious that you are shaping the world. You really want to make sure you’re doing it in a positive way.
Our time on earth is not promised. And my children already have this awareness about death. I remind them how precious every day of life is, that it is a gift to be here. And to not be afraid, to trust our Great Creator. When they get upset about something they are quick to brush it off and not allow something so insignificant to steal their time.
I’m so proud of my children. I love watching them grow and learn and be silly. I pray for them. Awhile back I watched something or saw something about a mother who lost her child. It just crushed me. And the mother said, “Pray for your children, just pray for them.” So I pray for them and I always think of that mother and the many other mothers who have experienced such a tragedy.
This cherished time that I get to spend with my children is not just for me. It’s for others too.
1 bell pepper any color you like, probably not yellow though
1 bunch of fresh cilantro chopped finely with a few leaves left out for garnish
1 jalapeño or Serrano pepper finely chopped
1/2 red or white onion chopped
2/3 cup of Mexican cheese (look for cotija or queso fresco) crumbled up
What You Need For The Dressing
3 tablespoons of sour cream
2 tablespoons of miracle whip (I prefer miracle whip over Mayo. It just has a different flavor to me)
2-3 limes for squeezing
1/2 teaspoon of cumin
1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of chili powder
Steps:
1. Start by heating the olive oil on medium high in a skillet. Add the corn and cook until lightly charred. 7 to 10 minutes, once charred add to a large bowl.
2. Add the chopped bell pepper, jalapeño or Serrano pepper, cilantro, and onion to the large bowl with the charred corn.
3. In a small bowl add the ingredients for the dressing and mix well.
4. Add the dressing to the large bowl with the corn and mix well. Add 1/2 of the crumbled mexican cheese. Taste, and add additional lime or salt if needed.
5. Garnish with the remaining cheese and cilantro and serve. Or cover and place in the fridge for up to 8 hours.
I love strawberries. They are fresh and delightful. Can make any dessert delicate and beautiful.
Mango. Yum. Especially a mango that has been shaped into a rose, jabbed with a wooden stick, and enjoyed on a sandy beach in Mexico.
Bananas. But only because I love cream cheese banana bread topped with brown sugar. Taste so good with my coffee.
You know what else I love, gold Kiwis. If you’ve never tried these you have to. My stepmom introduced them to me. I love the green ones as well, they have more of a tart flavor while the gold ones are sweet.
Cherries. A perfect summer snack.
Now these are the fruits that I enjoy eating. When it comes to candles and lotions and creams I actually prefer different fruity scent/flavors like coconut or passionfruit guava.
Well, currently I am a stay at home mom. Which by the way is more work than one may think or know. If you know a stay at home mom or dad ask them, they’ll tell you.
I do envision myself going back to “work” one day. My priority for the moment is being as present as possible for my children.
But what I would like to do is teach yoga. More than just teach yoga, I want to teach women and young women how to love themselves. I want to help others heal and develop a stronger sense of spirituality.
As a women and as once a young women, I know how hard we are on ourselves. Insecurities can get the best of us. I want to reveal the magic that is in us all. I want the women who I teach to recognize how beautiful they are.
I want liberate and direct them to the guidance that is within themselves.
I would also love to have my own personal growth books out there one day. Reading and writing is incredibly powerful and life changing.
I want to change others in such a positive, impactful way the way others have unknowingly changed me with their words and messages.
Have you ever spent time looking for your sunglasses or glasses all over your home only to discover that they have been on your head this whole time?! Or maybe you searched everywhere for your phone only to realize it’s been snug in your back pocket?
Something I have learned is that whatever you are searching for to fill a specific void is not out there. The answer is within. You may think a specific thing is going to fulfill you…. And then when you actually do get it you’re going to still have that void. And then you’re going to be left very confused and concerned. You’re going to think, I really thought this was going to fulfill me and answer all my questions. Why do I still feel this emptiness? This void? This feeling?
The answer is right where you are. And the way you discover your answer is by spending time with yourself. Getting to know yourself. Learning to love yourself.
The way we spend time getting to know others we should be spending time getting to know who we are. Why do we act a specific way? Why do we respond the way that we do? Why are we afraid of this and that? Ask why about yourself, and keeping asking it. Discover what you enjoyed doing as a kid, discover what brought peace to you and bring it back.
Saying, “this is just the way I am” is not your full truth. You have shape and definition. Why would you not want to discover the tools and colors that were used to create who you are as an individual. Give yourself time to discover yourself. Not all your discoveries will be pleasant. Some will be painful. Vulnerability forms deeper connections with others. Being vulnerable with yourself does the same.
Nobody is this entire world knows you the way that you know yourself. Nobody knows what you have seen or experienced. You’re worth getting to know, and you’re worth your love. See yourself for the miracle that you truly are.
The Wild Gems 