The Land of LaLa * love, life & other fabulousness

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Old habits die hard.

As much as some days I want to throw color all over my home I do keep coming back to my peaceful white love. Doesn't this room make you want to crawl into that bed with your Kindle and a great glass of wine?! Yes, please!

Source: Uploaded by user via Lydia on Pinterest

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Cauliflower crust pizza

I recently signed up for Suburban Organics deliveries to help support local organic farming.

I got my first delivery Friday & I am in love.

One of the things that appeared on my doorstep was cauliflower. I do not mind the stuff however it is quite hard to convince other members of this household that it is not the devil.

I am determined to create something awesome with it. First up; this:

Source: eat-drink-smile.com via Jillian on Pinterest

Monday, February 20, 2012

Welcome Caleb!

I am getting back on the blogging bandwagon after our vacation! Yay!

While I was away we had our newest nephew enter the world.

Caleb Isaiah DeAssis was born on February 14th. Welcome beautiful boy; we love you!

I did spend the majority of my day holding this content little peanut yesterday. So much fun.

My brother-in-law is pretty amazing when it comes to putting together tear jerking music videos and such; here is his latest creation:

Friday, February 10, 2012

The Ocean. :)

Its time for the ocean folks.

We leave for our annual Grand Cayman get a way Sunday morning and I can. not. wait!

Minus the face that leaving Lilly with her Noni never gets easier I am thankful that the hubby and I can spend some time alone together.

This makes me happy.

Source: Uploaded by user via Jillian on Pinterest

From the air. See you soon...

Source: photos4travel.com via Jillian on Pinterest

Georgetown. The main downtown area on Cayman:

Source: marriott.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Isn't this just beautiful.
This year we are going to actually take pictures so I am hoping to post some when we get home.
7-Mile beach:

Source: google.com via Christina on Pinterest

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Quinoa Croquettes!: Follow-up

Hello beautiful people!

I made these awesome lil' things last night but...

they did (as the recipe warned) fall the frigg apart!

hehe

So what I did was embrace it and serve the mixture in warmed corn tortillas with the almond sauce drizzled over the top. Delicious!

Totally worth a try!

Oh & my hubby who "doesn't like quinoa" LOVED THIS MEAL. Score!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Quinoa Croquettes!

This is what is for dinner tonight & I cannot wait!

Yummy to my tummy!

Source: alkalinesisters.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Forks Over Knives

I know at times people think I am a little extreme with our family diet.
I guess I am.

I am passionate about giving my daughter the most healthy life I can while she is under our roof.

I admit when we chose to live this lifestyle I was hesitant b/c lets face it eating organic is really expensive, fast food is really good and there is nothing better than a slice of NY pizza! Not to mention I would rather have bought a pair of shoes than spend an extra amount of money on weekly grocery shopping.

What I know is that in my short lifetime I:

have struggled with infertility

have seen loved ones die of cancer, & continue to fight cancer

have seen love ones struggle with weight, diabetes & heart issues...

What I know is that food plays a huge roll in our health.

I know that insurance companies are making a HUGE amount of money off of sick people.

I know that they do not make money off of healthy people, they do not make money off of dead people & they do make money off of sick people. A lot of it.

What I know is that when I eat right I feel good about myself, my skin glows, I am energized, I do not need coffee in the morning, I drink it because I love the taste. It makes me happy. While I must accept the fact that I am the Khloe Kardashian as far as my body goes in my family, I may as well feel good about it. I promise you that if you try this for 2-weeks you WILL FEEL BETTER. If not tell me I am crazy.

What I know is that yes, I will die. I would like for it to be peaceful, with as little pain as possible and not while loaded with prescription medication. I would like God, to say "Jillian, your time is up come join me in paradise." I would like to die of old age and look back and say that I took care of myself and my family the best way that I knew how.

Of course there will be exceptions. In the mean time I am going to try my darndest to eat as good as I can with the resources at hand.

Take a look at this trailer. Rent the movie "Forks over Knives" on Netflix and let me know what you think. I am jazzed. I have cleaned out my pantry and my fridge (once again) & I am roaring to go.

I have also provided some awesome links for some recipe ideas if this is something that you would like to give a go!

The Alkaline Sisters.
Beautiful pictures to get you in the mood to make awesomely healthy food!

The Gracious Pantry.
I just found this blog, but this woman reminds me of a lot of us out there just wanting to cook the healthiest we can for our families. Have a looksie.

Nutrition to Invigorate.
I also just found this blog. Linda is a life coach and nutritionist. She post mostly, juices, smoothies and food combining recipes. Love it!

With Style & Grace.
Lisa's passion is gluten free diet and life coaching. She has some of the. most. amazing. recipes! Honestly, I love this woman. Super talented!

Trust me this can be exciting if you let it! :)

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Lilly lu

Thanks to the fact that the hubby has been home for a full week (gasp!!) we have gotten a few really great shots of Lilly. I admit; I totally suck at pictures.

Look how big my girl is getting...

"Auntie Castle", I love my lil giraffe still. He is one of my favs.

Noni & Pop-pop, loveee my sit and spin. Mommy secretly wishes her toosh still fit on this thing to take it for a spin. Wishful thinking Mom!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Will & Jada's digs...

I found these pics at Architectural Digest Online & wow, is this home amazing!

I know that I should not have expected anything less from this awesome power couple.

Take a peek:

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Green & Green Good.

Breakfast: (click here for recipe)

This really is my go to breakfast. It is energizing, yummy and holds me until lunch. How awesome is that?!

Dinner: (Click here for recipe)

Monday, January 30, 2012

Guarding your heart...

I am thinking this is a great reminder for me today:

Source: Uploaded by user via Jillian on Pinterest

Yes, I do have a little girl at home; no, she does not pose for pics.

She is 2; I cannot get to to cooperate for a picture for the life of me so you have to take what I got people.

Chheeeeeeeseeee!

Mom finally let me outside to play on my sliddeee!!!

Its rare but I will throw Mom a bone here and sit still for 2.5 seconds; snap it Mom!

I wanted to say cheese but my body would not sit still for the snap...I cried when Mom gave up and put the camera away. Ahh, the emotions...

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Some of my favorite products cont.

Now, I know I had done a post quite some time ago (HERE) where I had said I was going to take you on a journey of some of my favorite natural products for the body and for the home.

Ops! Its been a while.

Thanks to a dear friend asking me some questions today I am getting back on that wagon.

I purchase a lot of my items from Soap/ Diapers/ Beauty Bar.com. While sometimes they are a a few more bucks; I do not have to drive, the shipping is free if you order $39.00 worth of stuff and it is on your door step the NEXTDAY! Yes, please.

To start some of my favorites for the body -

I get this stuff at Soap.com

I love this face wash because it leaves your skin clean and feeling totally hydrated.

Available at Ulta, Sephora or online.
There are no chemicals in this stuff, it is not heavy and it covers the face perfectly. Love.

Available at Ulta & Sephora locally or online.
Everyone needs a powder in their purse. Not only is this one adorable to tote around, but it is all natural. Worth. the. cash. ladies.

Available at Whole Foods & here.
I was skeptical of hippie Shampoos but let me tell you; Natures Gate has some amazing products. Their Shampoo works really well and they have a huge line. P.S. These puppies smell yummy too.

Available at Target!
I have fallen in LOVE with the Boots/ No. 7 line that Target. Their Botanics line is awesome, natural and affordable. Sign me up.

These products are available at Sephora and here.
My sister turned me onto this deodorant quite some time ago. I have been hooked ever since. There is NO ALUMINUM in the deo and really; it works. Now I use the perfume, lotions, body washes and deodorant. Hooked on all of it.
Good and good for you. ;)

That ties up the body section. Next up; for the baby and for the home.
Please send me any questions that you may have. I am happy to help you find some natural products that may fit your needs.

Peace out. Have a good night. :)

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Anthro Love.

I do not know why I can not seem to get my act together with our freaking master bedroom, but I think I have yet another runner up for the look I want:

Pretty. Cozy. Yes.

Source: anthropologie.com via Jillian on Pinterest

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

What is for dinner tonight...

I am trying to get back on this blogger wagon after quite a long hiatus.

Now please take a gander at the wonderful meal that I made for myself (tons of left overs; totally stoked about it!)...
Thank you Leana for the wonderful meal idea!

Major yummo people! Major.

Source: asmallsnippet.blogspot.com via Jillian on Pinterest

Time to take out the trash...

With the coming of a new year and a fun yet heavy Christmas break I came home feeling a bit sad.
I know its time for a change.
Its that time of year when we all no matter how much we may not want to say to ourselves; what is my resolution.
Diet - check
Exercise - check

Then I read this post.

I need to stop focusing on what will make me happy in 2012.

Its time for me to take out the trash once again...in my life...you know the selfishness, the laziness, the gossiping, the lack of focus on the right things & the list goes on.
Focusing on what I need and what I want will not bring fulfillment. Have you noticed the more you try to make yourself happy the more unhappy you become? I sure have. Only one thing is going to fill that hole in your life people. Once you put others before yourself, love yourself as God does and cultivate a relationship with the only person that knows you inside and out will you be truly happy; truly fulfilled. I need to remind myself of this. Every. Moment. Of. Every. Day.
God knows what I need to be happy and he will fulfill every need if I would only let Him. That's the key folks. You need to let Him...

I need to take out the trash that I am making more important than my relationship with my God.
Gather it up, one piece at a time, deal with it, bag it and take it to the curb.

There are so many reasons to sing and life seems to get in the way all too often; because I let it.

New year, new mercies, new me. Renew me Lord, please, I need it...

I am thankful I have a God singing over me when I need a reason to sing...