Monday, May 20, 2013

My Legs Are Burnin'!

I  f-i-n-a-l-l-y got back out today and went running.  Well, it was a walk/run mix to be honest.  But I pushed it hard, so my burning legs make it seem like I ran 4 miles.  

My workouts have suffered the last 6 months.  Between a hurt back, plantar fascitis, and some motivation problems, I've had lackluster results.  But that burning desire to change and get back at it has always been there.  Then I saw a great Instagram photo from an inspirational gal that I follow.  Her name is Dani and she blogs here.  Sometimes it just takes that one moment to turn things in the right direction.  Here's the photo she posted:

This quote reminds me that everything is always one day at a time.  It's so easy to put off our goals "until tomorrow".  Yet this reminds us that each day makes a HUGE difference!  

So, I woke up determined Sunday morning.  It was a beautiful, sunny day here in the Northwest, so I knew I had to get out for a run.  It was ugly, probably wasn't very pretty to watch, but I did it.  I hope this post inspires you to accomplish what you have pushed aside.  Wouldn't it be great to end your day with a sense of satisfaction?


If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog.  Cheers!
 photo facebooksoft_zps2ca46363.png photo instagramsoft_zps234eaf53.png photo twittersoft_zps7e0a4b92.png photo emailsoft_zps2931cb4a.png photo pininterestsoft_zps05cdae05.png photo googleplus_zps1619805c.png photo tumblrsoft_zpsd813c422.png photo rsssoft_zpsaf899a58.png
Friday, May 17, 2013

Mama Needs A Skinny Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini

It's been awhile since I've posted a fun recipe in my "Mama Needs A Martini" series.  So, I spent a lot of time this week working on some new recipes.  I'm a guest blogger next week with an amazing recipe, so stay tuned for that.  

But today, I've got a great "skinny" version of a lemon drop, with an added twist of raspberry.  Raspberry was the focus of my recipes this week and I was happy with the results.  
2 ounces citrus vodka
1 ounce Chambord raspberry liqueur
1 ounce lemon juice
1 ounce water
1 tsp. stevia 
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Yum! Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini

Add all ingredients to a martini shaker filled with ice. Coat rim of martini glass with edge of a lemon and dust with stevia.  Shake well and strain into a martini glass.


If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog.  Cheers!
 photo facebooksoft_zps2ca46363.png photo instagramsoft_zps234eaf53.png photo twittersoft_zps7e0a4b92.png photo emailsoft_zps2931cb4a.png photo pininterestsoft_zps05cdae05.png photo googleplus_zps1619805c.png photo tumblrsoft_zpsd813c422.png photo rsssoft_zpsaf899a58.png
Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Bloglovin' Blog Hop #18

Please give a warm welcome to our top tier sponsor this week, The Blog Hangout! 


    
    


Happy Kids, Inc


Please email Meg for details on co-hosting or sponsoring this hop! 

Say hello to this month's amazing sponsors!

        
                             


If you're interested in becoming a sponsor, be sure to visit our sponsor & advertising page!

submit to reddit

Must Have Blog Resource: Hashtags

You probably hear this term almost everyday if you are an active blogger or on social media daily.  Hash tag! Most of us are familiar enough with the basic function of hash tags.  Think of hash tags as search topics for the message or article you are posting.  But how can you use them to the best of your advantage to promote your blog?  Here are some basic guidelines.

1.  Hash Tags Aren't Just For Twitter.  Twitter revolutionized the use of hash tags.  But almost all social media outlets (Facebook is the exception) support and use hashtags.  So, when you are using Instagram, Google Plus, and other social media, don't forget your hash tags!  Hash tags increase your presence on social media and get you noticed.  So, don't forget to use them.  Furthermore, hash tags can also be used on blogging network sites, like Blog Her.  When you are prompted to enter a "tag", you can add a hash tag to the topics you are inputting.

2.  Hash Tags Help You Network.  Hashtags are a great way to search topics you might be interested in or bloggers you may want to network with.  For example, in the "Discover" tab of Twitter, you could enter a hashtag like #momblogger or #kids and see what comes up. You might discover bloggers you want to network with or topics to read about.  

3.  Hash Tags Increase Your Social Media Presence.  People will find you easier if you use hash tags.  Users on social media regularly search certain key hash tag phrases.  Some even auto-follow or like when certain hash tags are used.  Don't miss out on such an opportunity to be seen by users who would otherwise not know you exist.  

4.  Use The Same Hash Tags Regularly.  While it's fun to have hash tags that contribute humor to what you are posting (i.e., #ineverknewathingabouthashtags), it's important to use hash tags over and over, as well as ones that are common to your genre.  For example, beauty bloggers regularly use #bblogger in their posts.     Such use not only builds a following, but they also get picked up by search engines.  If you are unsure what a given hash tag stands for, you can always Google it to find out it's meaning.  

5.  Learn Hash Tag Days For Your Industry and Contribute Regularly.  Hash tag trends are occurring all the time.  Everyday of the week, it seems like there are hash tags that go along with that day.  #MM (Mention Monday), #WW (Wordless Wednesday or Wedding Wednesday), #TBT (Throwback Thursday), and #FF (Follow Friday) are just a few, but they are big ones.  Have fun with these!  Put the spotlight on your favorite blogging friends or sponsors.  Highlight an old blog post or photo for Throwback Thursday.  


If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog.  Cheers!
 photo facebooksoft_zps2ca46363.png photo instagramsoft_zps234eaf53.png photo twittersoft_zps7e0a4b92.png photo emailsoft_zps2931cb4a.png photo pininterestsoft_zps05cdae05.png photo googleplus_zps1619805c.png photo tumblrsoft_zpsd813c422.png photo rsssoft_zpsaf899a58.png

Connect With Us

 photo purple-facebook-hernameiskim_zpse97bdab5.png photo purple-twitter-hernameiskim1_zps27e0cf8b.png photo purple-instagram-hernameiskim_zps83db1e04.png photo purple-pinterest-hernameiskim1_zps8b21b91c.png photo purple-bloglovin-hernameiskim_zps0fd5b2b0.png photo purple-email-hernameiskim_zps4de9343e.png photo purple-linkedin-hernameiskim_zps5789ea01.png
09 10 11 12
Blogging tips