Brief and Balanced

Simple and fun!!

Omg I want a fruitmas tree for Christmas too!!!🎄😍

photo credit readyplayer1 on Imgur

December 1st: Cue the Christmas Baking and Creations ✨

I was talking to another mom today about how it’s hard to find festive holiday treats that aren’t sweet. Don’t get me wrong— tis the season for all those delicous things! And sometimes, it’s also nice to have another option as well.

This is an oldie but goodie. One of my son’s favorite things from several years ago. These Mini Holiday Cheese Bites are sure to bring joy to any plate. Happy December! ❤️

https://briefandbalanced.com/holiday-mini-cheese-ball-bites/

Stress is inevitable.

We all experience it and, at times, it can be a good thing (have you ever thought about this?)

However, when you fail to escape it, even just stepping away from it momentarily, it can truly be detrimental to your health.

With these simple 5 tips to reduce stress, you take charge and improve how you react to everyday life.

And you’ll likely find joy in adding these into your routine.

Which is your favorite?

For more, be sure to check out ‘5 tips to Reduce Stress Right Now on briefandbalanced.com 💗

Therefore, as you teach yourself to have a grateful heart, you actually improve the health of your
•mind
•body
• and soul!

Isn’t that incredible?!

And food for thought—how many of those supplements that you’re stirring in each day can actually do that? Are they helping you truly create balance? 🤔 Just something to think about…💗

When it’s fall and you crave comfort yet it’s still 80 degrees outside…

✨ Mexican Tuna Salad ✨

• Savory taco seasoning
• Lean, nutritious protein
• Crunch and Color in every bite.

Great option for no cook meal prep or quick enough throw together mid-week.

Recipe + nutrition info on: briefandbalanced.com

I love it you so much I had to write about it! 🍁 ☀️ 💻

Happy first day of FALL! The BEST time of year, IMO ☺️

On the blog I’m sharing how you can TAKE ADVANTAGE of this time of year for your BEST health.

Stewarding your body well invites a stronger, robust and heartfelt fall season!

Which one of these simple tips is your favorite?

https://briefandbalanced.com/10-tips-for-good-health-this-fall/

Here’s your permission to go…

✨ Back to the Basics ✨

These tasks are easy to do no matter how busy or unmotivated you feel.

So stay motivated and create a healthier week ahead! 💪🏻

How are you taking action this week?

Pro-Tip: you can even sprinkle with some additional bacon bits or greens, too.

Not a fan of pinto? Sub in whatever beans you prefer and Warm+ serve.

Even if you're not serving baked beans anytime soon, here's something to think about:

•How can you apply this same idea to something you love this week?

Happy LDW and week ahead!

I’m learning that purpose in the season is not about trying to control and rely on ourselves, but rather it is to look outward with GRATITUDE to the One who gives us purpose + strengthens the path that He has planned ✨

Pumpkin season is approaching! You’ll want this recipe now… and longer by far 😉

It’s the yummiest, easiest, protein-packed pumpkin bread! Great for school morning breakfasts!

Google “brief and balanced easy pumpkin bread” or click over to my blog in bio and search ‘pumpkin.’

Did you know that April is Stress Awareness Month? Take a breather and read these FIVE tips to help reduce your stress and build peace into your day.
https://briefandbalanced.com/5-tips-to-reduce-stress-right-now/

Happy Easter to you all! He is Risen! ✝️
Need an easy (and healthier) option to take to dinner tomorrow? Or maybe a fun breakfast/snack idea to use up some of that candy this coming week?
https://briefandbalanced.com/mini-easter-nest-cakes/

Craving a rich chocolatey dessert? Wanting one that’s easy, quick and healthy? Cake mix mug cake is your answer!

• 2 ingredients
• 1 microwave
• 1 one minute (or less!!)

Enjoy a decadent, fluffy treat that also helps your body feel good too 💖

Recipe on www.briefandbalanced.com

https://briefandbalanced.com/cake-mix-mug-cake/

Simple meals are in the bag 👍🏻

Literally.

-Bagged salads are one of the simplest ways to get some veggies and have the quickest meal on hand. Just add protein!

Tip: mix up the salad (here’s your permission slip 🏷️ to use the dressing that comes with it!) and add in some extra spinach (or kale, mixed greens, etc.)

Have fun tossing in other quick items to switch it up for mealtime. Here’s what’s in this one:

-Everything salad ( ) with fresh spinach leaves
- chicken (canned, no joke. Had some leftover from another recipe)
-dried cranberries
-peanuts

Isn’t that awesome? Looks good, tastes good and nourishes my body so I can be my best all day. ✔️

Do you have a simple go-to in your routine?

Fry Dipping Sauce 😋 Tangy, creamy and FUN.

A healthier spin on your favorite dipping sauce that’s excellent on:

• Fries (obviously!!)
• Tater Tots
• chicken
• cheeseburgers
• my healthier pigs in a blanket

And even veggies!

Head over to https://briefandbalanced.com/fry-dipping-sauce/ for recipe and other ideas

Do you know what feels overwhelming to me?

Coming home after traveling, wanting to get back to healthier eating but having with no desire to cook meals. Or even think about a grocery list!

So what have I learned to do?

Rely on fast food, right out of the bag(s)🙌

I specifically ordered grocery pick up, and with items that didn’t require extra prep.

Here’s last night’s meal:

• precooked chicken strips, warmed on stovetop for 5 minutes
• Ready to serve rice, microwaved in pouch for 90 seconds
•sweet kale chopped salad, bagged kit (with dressing provided)
•shredded cheese
•grape tomatoes, sliced
•guacamole, opened a single cup
•dollop of Greek yogurt

If you’re feeling overwhelmed/unmotivated, choose the packaged foods. Eating healthy doesn’t require chopping, thawing or advanced meal prep. It should be simple, tasty and fuel your body appropriately.

And yes, proper nutrition can be fast and out of a bag 😉

This is so awesome! 🥚

And did you know I have a recipe on how to bake eggs?! Avoid the shell all together!!

https://briefandbalanced.com/how-to-bake-eggs-4-ingredient-baked-egg-recipe/

My goal today is not to fix all the problems or complete all the tasks.

It’s not to curate a perfect home.

It’s not to live up to some fancy dream.

It’s not to achieve someone else’s expectations for me.

My goal today is to honor God -
with
my
attitude.

It’s to ask Jesus to join me at the table and at the kitchen sink and behind the wheel as we travel this road ahead.

Because I trust this road is leading to somewhere better.

Because none of this effort will be wasted.

And even if no one else gives me credit or approval or affirmation today, I know I can still say I’ve done this job well.

Lord, help me to honor you with my attitude today.

❤️🙏🙌

So many good ideas!

DID YOU KNOW THIS?
Coffee filters .... Who knew! And you can buy 1,000 at the Dollar Tree for almost nothing even the large ones.
1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.
2. Clean windows, mirrors, and chrome... Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.
3. Protect China by separating your good dishes with a coffee filter between each dish.
4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.
5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.
6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.
7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.
8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.
9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.
10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.
11.. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.
12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters..
13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them. It soaks out all the grease.
14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."
15. As a sewing backing. Use a filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.
16. Put baking soda into a coffee filter and insert into shoes or a closet to absorb or prevent odors.
17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.
18. Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.
19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and clean up small counter spills.
20. Can use to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting a piece of fruit or veggies.. Saves on having extra bowls to wash.
21. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage.
22. Use them to remove fingernail polish when out of cotton balls.
23. Use them to sprout seeds.. Simply dampen the coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold it and place it into a plastic baggie until they sprout.
24. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers. Place the flowers between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in phone book..
25. Use as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, etc..

Good morning! Let’s start the day and week off right!

Research shows that having a routine can greatly improve our health.

Here’s simple ideas that you can add into your morning that will

•boost mood
•help you stay present
•inspire healthier decisions
•and create peacefulness.

Start small with one and work your way up to all. Embrace the day, no matter what the morning brings 😊

Save (and share!) this post so you can have this all month long! Happy August!

When the weather goes from 103 to 73, there’s only one place I want to be— outside!! And I love getting a great workout in while my kids play on the driveway.

In my latest blog post, I’m sharing the best exercise equipment for you to have on hand for quick, easy workouts.

Affordable, motivating and FUN. Click link in bio to read or google:

https://briefandbalanced.com/best-exercise-equipment-for-busy-moms/

Double tap if you love simple 💗

Simple is amazing.

You don’t have to cook something amazing for it to be amazing.

It’s all about the way you go about it ✨

Here, serving my family looks like smearing bottled sauce on a tortilla and baking with a handful of toppings from the fridge.

It’s been a go-to for dinner, lunch and even snack.

I did prepare my easy shredded chicken recipe (briefandbalanced.com) to have on hand but you could totally used pre-cooked, canned or rotisserie 👍🏻

And remember, love can totally be served on paper plates too 😘

Feeling drained from the heat? Feeling like the TV is your kid’s favorite activity?

Use that to your advantage! Add in a fun home workout together to help: •stay active
•stabilize moods 😜
•promote good sleep and concentration.

You can view the 5 Best YouTube workouts for mom and kids on the blog or google

https://briefandbalanced.com/5-best-youtube-workout-videos-for-mom-and-kids/

Have you moved today? How are you getting in movement this summer?

Perhaps it’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it ✨

Mama— you get to CHOOSE healthier.

In fact, you have to. It doesn’t just happen.

And there’s so many things you can add in while going about your dailyness.

💦 carry your favorite water bottle around while you play

👟 Take the stairs more often on PURPOSE for extra steps

👩‍🍼Hold on to tight to those babies

And always, always practice gratitude.

It won’t replace the hardships but will improve:

•resiliency
•satisfaction
•mood

This leads to less burnout and less breakdowns…and more joy 💗

What are you carrying today?

Did you know that you can roast frozen vegetables?!

They brown, sizzle, crisp and you can skip the soggy for….

SAVORY!

These “Everything” Frozen Roasted Vegetables are a great side dish— quick, delicious and full of color!

Grab your Everything Bagel seasoning and head to link in profile ->

Or

https://briefandbalanced.com/everything-frozen-roasted-vegetables/

What is physical wellness? How do we as moms find it?

I’m sharing 6 lessons I’ve learned to embrace, making it simple and joyful, too!

Start the week off with a grateful heart and you’ll have a fruitful week 🍍

Also— Keep a can of pineapple handy and save this recipe for your summer enjoyment.

Tip: have your kids pick a few tomatoes from your garden this summer and make the salsa together.

Recipe linked in bio

Or google:

https://briefandbalanced.com/pineapple-salsa/

In a world that tells us it all starts with the right foods, those gotta have products, our perfect efforts— It’s actually reverse.

Wellness starts on the inside. Wellness starts in the heart 💗

I’ll never forget when I discovered the concept of wellness for the first time… ✨

In my latest blog post I’m sharing this and everything about it— what is wellness? Are you aware that’s it’s more than just fitness and food?

I’m also sharing how motherhood has gifted me a deeper understanding, even revealing a new perspective.

I’d love for you to read along as we get right to the “heart” of the matter 💗

https://briefandbalanced.com/the-heart-of-the-matter-defining-wellness/