Fundamentals

Clean Eating Basics

5 Easy Healthy Swaps

  • Posted on: 17 November 2015
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Sometimes we are just not motivated to be creative or step outside our comfort zones. We have habits, and breaking those routines can seem like a big challenge. Today I want to share with you 5 simple swaps I have made to improve my health and allow me to live more naturally. These small steps out of your comfort zone, can make a big difference in your health and the health of your family. 1. Spaghetti squash in place of pasta This simple swap will have your tummy feeling happy and your taste buds too! I simply get a sharp knife, cut the spaghetti squash in half and bake at 350 in 1/2 inch of...

How I Take Photos

  • Posted on: 7 November 2015
  • By: jessica
Category: 
The last few months I have worked diligently to improve my photography for my blog and Instagram account. I have learned a lot of things. I figured I should share them with you. What My Photos Used to Look Like What My Photos Look Like Now Before beginning to stage a photo, I follow these guidelines: 1. Be True to Yourself I learned this in an instagram course created by Me and Orla . This is absolutely the number one rule I follow. In any creative outlet, it can be easy to attempt to mimic the styles or stories of those you admire. In this attempt, you may lose yourself. You are the most...

What I Believe Makes Me Who I Am

  • Posted on: 3 November 2015
  • By: jessica
Category: 
As I arrived home this evening from a hectic day at work, I rushed through all of my required tasks. I fed my six cats, fed my puppy, threw a load of laundry in, and then immediately changed into my comfty clothes. I made a warm magnesium and chamomile tea, and then put lavender oil in the diffuser. All day I have looked forward to my evening meditation. This is the usually the most relaxing part of my day. Participating in meditation has many benefits, as I wrote about last month . Some of the benefits include, reduce risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure and relief from stress and...

I Am Blogging Like Crazy

  • Posted on: 1 November 2015
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Every year in the month of November See Jane Write's leader, Javacia Harris Bowser, hosts an event called #BlogLikeCrazy . Each participant is challenged to blog every day for the entire month of November. I particpated last year and it was one of the biggest turning points for Spiffy Eats & Giggle Water. The bounds of my creativity, consistency, and will power were stretched in ways I did not expect. This year I know I will grow even more! Over the last few months I have been working on revamping my entire blog. I have pulled in help from other people, and now I can happily say Spiffy...

All-natural Candles- Shop Local

  • Posted on: 20 August 2015
  • By: jessica
Category: 
When it comes to household items, I do my best to choose natural items in all cases. My usual all-purpose cleaner, white vinegar, water and lemon essential oil. I use it to clean my kitchen counters, floors and bathroom! Candles have always been a struggle for me. I am lured in by all of the sweet smells of the big name brands who make promises of spring rain, pumpkin spice, gingerbread houses and the like. Yet, the thought of putting harmful chemicals into the air that my family and I breathe really bothers me. I have attempted a few different brands of natural candles, only to be...

Modifiied Paleo: A recap of my first week

  • Posted on: 4 August 2015
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Hi all! Thanks for stopping in. This week I felt motivated to switch over from 80/20 "clean eating" to 95/5 "modified paleo" and journal the challenges and victories with my readers! To give you a little background, I usually eat a clean diet 80% of the time and eat out, enjoying whatever I like 20% of the time. This eating plan this week specifically excluded sugar and gluten. Typical day Breakfast: Smoothie 1/4 cup yogurt 2 handfuls frozen fruit 8 ounces Coconut water 1 small banana Lunch: Salad & Kombucha Bed of lettuce 1 can tuna 2 tablespoons whole fat greek yogurt 1 carrot 1 radish...

Stone Hollow Farm Tour

  • Posted on: 15 April 2015
  • By: jessica
Category: 
This week I had the pleasure of a suprise visit to Stone Hollow Farmstead . I have frequented their booth at Pepper Place Market , and always wanted to see the farm in person. As a birthday suprise my boyfriend took me for a tour. I had a blast! Stone Hollow Farmstead is a small, family owned farm in Alabama that puts large emphasis on sustainability and creativity. They focus on using organic methods of farming with respect for the land and animals. The founder, Deborah Stone comes from a family of farmers. She not only has created goats milk cheses but also genius cosmetic products . They...

Thirty

  • Posted on: 14 April 2015
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Tags: 
As I sit on my front porch this morning I hear birds chirping, train horns blowing, neighbors rushing off to work. I see my knock out roses, my azaleas, my mints, and my cottage flowers. It smells like Spring. I am extremely aware of the fact that today I am embarking on a new part of the journey. 30. My twenties are gone. Oh, what fun and turmoil those twenties were. So many bad decisions. But, I don't hate them. As the sun begins to peak through the clouds all around me, I am aware that 30 is a chance to start fresh. Leave my twenties in the dust. But, how could I? They taught me so much. I...

Forgive My Absence

  • Posted on: 9 March 2015
  • By: jessica
Category: 
Hi All! Thank you for stopping into Spiffy Eats & Giggle Water! As you may have noticed if you read often, I have not been posting as I usually do. Why? The answer is simple and exciting. I am studying and will be moving my career in a new and interesting direction over the next few months! Hooray for change! I plan to be back posting recipes and fitness tips by mid-March or early April. Thank you all for you continued support and faithful readership. Taking a break from blogging is a true act of will power. I love it so much! But, I believe by exclusively focusing on my classes in all my...

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