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!
You know how sometimes you don’t eat something for awhile and then you eat it and you remember how much you enjoy it? Well I’m going through that with baked sweet potatoes. I’ve been making them often and they are so good. Skin and all! Of course I add butter and brown sugar but what other way do you even eat it?
Enjoy!
What You Need:
4 sweet potatoes (wash, dried and unpeeled)
4-6 tablespoons of Olive oil
Salt
Unsalted butter and brown sugar for after baking
Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 400 and line a cookie sheet with foil.
2. Rub about 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil onto each of the sweet potatoes. Next, lightly salt each sweet potato.
3. After the sweet potatoes have been rubbed with olive oil and salted you’re going to take a fork and jab it a few times into each sweet potato. 4-5 jabs in each.
4. Bake for 50 minutes or until a fork can be poked through smoothly.
5. Once done, slice each sweet potato and top with unsalted butter and brown sugar. Serve immediately.
What I want to say first is that ALL OF US are teachers. In fact, everything can provide a lesson if you’re searching.
Without thinking we teach people what to do and what not to do. All of us are highly influential and teaching others around us in every interaction. Whether we are conscious about it or taking the “lessons” in subconsciously. You are a teacher.
In one sentence though I’ll say what I believe is a great teacher. Not that I don’t want to elaborate on my response, I just don’t have much time in this moment.
A great teacher is one that listens. And a great student is one that listens.
I have had a few surgeries. I don’t like surgeries at all. I don’t know that anyone really enjoys surgery but I’m just making it known that I’m not a fan. However I am extremely grateful that we have people that can perform them and that we can have them!
I’ve had surgeries into relations to my mouth and I’ve had two caesarean sections.
My first surgery was dental. I was somewhere between 11 and 13. My teeth were extremely crooked and I had a small mouth. I had like 6 teeth pulled from my mouth and when I lost my canine teeth the new ones never came through. The Dentist had to drill into my gums and then drill a tiny hole into each of my canine teeth, he then had to hook a small chain to it that came out through my gums and hooked to my top braces. I was super embarrassed. I had only 4 front teeth for a long time. I would go back every few months to have those chains tightened and pulled and eventually my canine teeth came out. Crazy right lol. I love my teeth though! I’m so grateful for braces and those chains! My husband always tells me I have pretty teeth and I’ve been told I have a nice smile. But this smile was very expensive! Ask my mom!
My 2nd surgery was having my wisdom teeth pulled. I was in my early twenties. I was terrified to be put under. Technically I wasn’t fully put under I was put into “the twilight zone” you’re like half awake, half asleep. But still…. I was scared. I almost canceled too. I might of even cried a little haha. I’m an emotional Human. Anyways I went through with it and it wasn’t that bad. I recovered fairly quickly.
My 3rd and 4th surgery was my Caesarian Sections. Giving birth. I don’t ever want to go through those surgeries again. Which also means I’m done having kids. My first one was absolutely horrific. It was an emergency c-section and I really thought I was going to die. You are awake the whole time as a baby is being pulled out of you! You can feel the tugging and it’s just insane. To this day I’ve never watched a c-section on YouTube or anything and I probably never will because I rather not fully know what went down behind that curtain.
My 4th one was planned. Which was a little better but as they were pulling my daughter out they kept pushing on my ribs and I swear I thought they were going to break my ribs.
I am so grateful for children though! And I am thankful that these surgeries are possible. If I was alive during a different time who knows if we would have made it. However sometimes I wonder if I really needed the first c-section. It wasn’t even my doctor that did it. And doctors make a ton of money doing those kinds of births vs a natural one. If we all could have been more patient I wonder…. But knows. My mom had 4 c-sections and I now know what she went through. And I pray my daughters don’t have to go through this if they choose to have kids one day.
I challenge you to google a c-section. They are no joke. Maybe not watch a video but google the procedure. Many people don’t know all that the surgery entails. But it’s a major surgery! They cut though layers of me!
Anyways, thank you doctors for all that you can do! I could never, but I’m so grateful for those who had this calling in life! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!!!!
P.s. I’m writing in this in the car while we are driving to a friends so there may be a few grammar errors. My husband has had surgeries too. Oral and he recently had lasik eye surgery! He says it’s life changing!
How funny. I’m literally reading a book about habits. It’s called ‘Atomic Habits’ , I highly recommend it! It’s a life changing type of book. Full of insight and encouragement to bettering yourself. Can’t say enough good things about it! Add it to your reading list!
Back to the habit question, well, currently I stay at home with 4 kids. So my daily habits mostly have to consist with kid stuff and home stuff. Picking up toys, changing diapers, brushing teeth, feeding, cooking, washing dishes, wiping counters, crafts, regulating. That stuff is EVERY DAY. And once school starts we’re going to have to really become a little bit more disciplined with our schedule.
But for me personally, as in what I do for myself daily is I drink coffee or tea every morning. While I’m drinking my tea I read something encouraging or inspiring and I write it down. It’s a small moment of me time that I look forward to every morning. I also read every day. 15 mins here and there, whenever I get a little chance. I love reading personal growth books and memoirs.
As well as I try to get some writing in, either writing down a recipe, or writing something to share with others, or answering these fun questions!
I was searching through the writing prompts and this one made me smile. Don’t we all remember our first real crush.
It was in the 6th grade. I was living in Alaska at the time. My ex stepdad for the moment in time was in the Air Force which is why we were living in Alaska to begin with.
Anyways, it was 6th grade and we sat next to each other. His last name began with an L and mine began with an M so it made sense that we were sitting next to each other.
His name was Andrew. He was a tall skinny boy. Wore adidas shoes, jeans most days, and a t-shirt. His hair was parted down the middle, but it didn’t look bad. He had dirty blonde hair and greenish eyes. My 11 year old self thought he was so cute.
I had braces at that time. I was wearing “training bras” because I barely even had anything. My hair was long and I looked very kidish. Unlike some preteens these days.
I liked whatever he liked pretty much. He introduced me alternative music like Green Day, Nine Days, I think Green Day was his favorite though. I wonder if he had known how much I liked him… he had to have known. He made me laugh so much too. He made all the girls laugh. I’m fairly certain I was not the only one who liked this boy.
Although he didn’t like me like that, he had a crush on one of my friends. I could just tell he liked her. It was just obvious. But I don’t think she liked him like that because her friend liked him. And GIRL CODE.
I had an advantage. His brother was friends with my brother. I think one time he even said to me, “how is he your brother he’s so cool!” Basically saying that I was not cool. Whatever.
He also gave me a nickname that everyone began to call me, “Mariabug” . It was cute but also mean in a way. I had really big brown eyes . I had “bug eyes” …aka Maria bug.
But it’s weird, I know it sounds cruel. But some of my friends thought it was actually cute. And no one was ever mean to me. I would say I was actually a “cool kid.”
I feel like I’m 11 again writing this. But yeah…… him and I would flirt but it never went anywhere. At 6th grade graduation though my mom did me a solid and got me a picture with him. It was me, him, and another girl that he knew since he was a baby. But still…..
aren’t moms the best.
Middle school came around and we hung out with different crowds and then I moved to the lower states in the 9th grade and that was that.
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.
The Wild Gems 