Pools, lakes, swimming holes, rivers, beaches, waterparks. Summertime, especially in Texas, means being around water constantly. I love it, but it’s extremely nerve-racking with three kids all wanting in on the action and water safety is always on my mind. According to the CDC, drowning is the No. 1 cause of unintentional death for children under 4 and a leading cause of death for ages 5 to 14. It’s every
Read More12 Books to Ease Back-to-School Jitters
Ready or not, back-to-school season is here. Like most kids, my boys get a little nervous before the big day and I’ve found we’ve been able to work through some of their feelings with the help of some great books. Here are our family’s favorite books to ease back-to-school jitters. What are your favorites? 1. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex,
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How I Make the Outdoors My Gym
I love a good spin class, but nothing beats exercising in the open air. Outdoor workouts always seem to go by faster and something about being in nature just soothes my soul and helps me get my head right. As a mom, I also find that if I make the outdoors my gym, it’s easier to squeeze in a workout because I can incorporate it into play with my kids.
Read MoreRoasted Veggie Power Bowl Recipe
This power bowl recipe by my uber-talented friend and chef, Brock Lane, proves that healthy meals don’t have to be bland and boring.
Read MoreMotherhood Unfiltered: A Q&A with Dr. Alexandra Sacks
I want to be an awesome mom. I want to wake up in the morning with endless patience. Meet all my kid’s needs. Be mindful and present as they grow up and help them feel empowered with each milestone. Pack Pinterest-worthy lunchboxes, be there for carpool and cheer them on at sports games armed with healthy organic snacks I whipped up straight from the garden. I want to cook wholesome
Read MoreOur Austin Date Picks
Jared and I have been together for 11 years and married for nine. Throw three kids in the mix and a career that takes him to Canada most the year, and keeping the romance alive can be hard. As boring as it sounds, we’ve found that the best way to reconnect is to schedule a date night (or day) as often as possible. Our goal is weekly, but that happens
Read MoreYoga flow to connect body and mind
We’re back from our whirlwind trip to Europe and the adrenaline rush of watching the ladies win the World Cup is finally starting to wear off—and the jet lag is setting in. After days filled with excitement, late bedtimes, and zero routines, we’re trying to get back into the swing of things here at home with varying degrees of success. This workout has been a great way to re-center and
Read MoreWhy gardening with kids is worth the mess
Ever since we decided to move to Austin, I’ve dreamt of owning a ranch. Maybe it was my childhood in the mountains of Idaho, but I’ve always had a romantic idea of learning to live off the land. The classic western cowboy life—horses roaming in the backyard, peacocks loose, maybe a pond with ducks, gathering eggs for breakfast in the morning and gardening with kids. We got the chicken and
Read MoreFather’s Day Gifts That Give Back
One of the things I love about Jared is the sense of adventure and love for the outdoors that he nurtures in our children. Whether it’s bike riding, boating or feeding our chickens, nature is part of our family values. One particular adventure Jared loves is taking our kiddos to Lake Austin where they explore the coves, fish, water ski and soak in the sun. We’re hoping the weather cooperates
Read MoreBerry Compote Breakfast Bowl
I’m always looking for simple, healthy meals I can prep on Sundays that will help minimize the chaos of the coming week. A new favorite is this fruit-filled breakfast bowl from our talented friend and chef, Brock Lane. We first met Brock around [American] Thanksgiving in Vancouver. Jared and I were gearing up to run the Seattle marathon (half-marathon for me) and realized our holiday diet of green bean casserole
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