Embracing the Holiday Spirit: A Week of Family, Food, and Festive Fun
Happy Sunday, everyone! Can you believe we’re less than a week away from Christmas? The festive excitement is truly palpable in our home. This past weekend brought a mix of weather – a bit of rain, but thankfully, it cleared up just enough for us to venture outside and enjoy plenty of playtime in the crisp winter air. There’s something magical about this time of year, with the anticipation of the holidays blending perfectly with moments of simple joy. The boys, in particular, found immense delight in a colossal pile of fallen leaves, turning an ordinary backyard into an adventurous playground. Witnessing their unbridled enthusiasm, leaping and burying themselves in the autumn bounty, was a perfect reminder of the simple, yet profound, pleasures of childhood. These precious moments are what make the holiday season so incredibly special and memorable for our family.
As the holiday countdown continues, our days are filled with a wonderful blend of kitchen creativity, memorable family outings, and the quiet joy of preparing for new arrivals – both festive and familial! Join me as I recap a bustling week, filled with delicious recipes, heartfelt family connections, and the unique journey of late-stage pregnancy, all wrapped up in the warmth of impending Christmas celebrations.
Culinary Adventures: Wholesome & Delicious Recipes from Our Kitchen
This week was a testament to our commitment to delicious, healthy eating, even amidst the holiday hustle. We kicked things off on Sunday with a recipe for Keto Zuppa Toscana. This hearty soup is an absolute favorite, delivering all the comforting flavors of the classic without compromising on our Whole30 and Keto goals. It’s perfect for a chilly evening and always receives rave reviews.
Monday brought a brand-new addition to our recipe collection: my Keto Instant Pot Coq Au Vin. This elegant French classic, reimagined for the Instant Pot, offers incredible depth of flavor with minimal effort. It’s a fantastic option for a weeknight meal that feels gourmet, proving that healthy eating can also be incredibly sophisticated and satisfying.
On Tuesday, we turned to the sea with my recipe for Keto Blackened Salmon. This dish is vibrant, packed with flavor, and cooks up beautifully. Served alongside a fresh salad or cauliflower rice, it’s a light yet fulfilling meal that’s rich in omega-3s and pure deliciousness. It’s an ideal choice for anyone looking for a quick, healthy, and impressive seafood option.
Wednesday’s highlight was the delightful Keto Chicken Piccata. This zesty and savory chicken dish, complete with its classic lemon-caper sauce, is a fantastic way to elevate a simple chicken breast into something extraordinary. It’s quick to prepare and pairs wonderfully with zucchini noodles or a side of steamed greens, making it a perfect weeknight dinner for busy families.
Thursday brought us to my recipe for Keto Balsamic Mustard Pork Chops. These succulent chops are infused with a rich, tangy sauce that makes for an incredibly flavorful and satisfying meal. They’re quick enough for a busy weeknight but feel special enough for a weekend dinner, demonstrating how easily a simple cut of meat can be transformed with the right ingredients.
And for those with a sweet tooth (like me!), Saturday was all about indulgence, the healthy way, with my recipe for Keto Chocolate Cookies. These rich, decadent treats prove that following a clean eating lifestyle doesn’t mean sacrificing dessert. They’re the perfect guilt-free pleasure, ideal for sharing (or not!) during the holiday season.
Streamlining Your Healthy Lifestyle: The Weekly Keto Meal Plan
To help you navigate your own healthy eating journey, especially during this busy holiday season, I was thrilled to share my Keto Weekly Meal Plan on Friday. This comprehensive plan is designed to take the guesswork out of healthy eating, providing you with a full week of delicious, Keto-friendly meals. It includes direct links to all the recipes, a beautifully designed printable menu, and a convenient grocery list template. My goal with these meal plans is to make healthy eating accessible, enjoyable, and stress-free for everyone. By planning ahead, you can save time, reduce food waste, and ensure your family enjoys nourishing meals throughout the week, even when life gets hectic.
Glimpses from Our Week: Life, Laughter, and Little Luxuries
Happening on Instagram
Puddle Jumping Joy!
Our week began with a classic moment of childhood pure joy. When you wake up to find it’s been raining all night, there’s only one logical thing for little boys to do: pull on rain boots over their jammies and embark on a puddle-jumping adventure before 8 am! These spontaneous moments are truly the best, reminding us to embrace the simple, unfiltered happiness of being a child, even if it means a little extra laundry later.
A Hilarious Culinary Pronunciation Moment: Cocovon?
Monday brought a chuckle-worthy exchange. Shawn came home from work, and when I asked about his day, he enthusiastically replied, “Good! …I did not know that was how you spelled Coq Au Vin.” He clearly pays attention to my Stories, learning that the classic French dish isn’t spelled “Cocovon” as he had thought. Given his high school Spanish background, I can’t fault him for not being fluent in fancy French culinary spellings! It was a delightful moment, showing how even cooking can bring a bit of unexpected humor into our daily lives.
A Heartfelt Conversation on The Peachy Life Podcast
This week, I had the pleasure of being a guest on my dear friend Ashley’s podcast, The Peachy Life! We covered a wide range of topics that are close to my heart: the joys and challenges of motherhood, the journey of food blogging, embracing a clean keto lifestyle, navigating body image, and the beautiful complexities of marriage. But mostly, we just had tons of fun laughing, because Ashley truly is one of my soul-mate friends. It was such a joy to share personal insights and connect on a deeper level. I’ve received so many wonderful messages from those of you who have already listened and loved it! If you haven’t yet, it’s available anywhere you listen to podcasts, or you can find direct links to listen here. I truly believe you’ll find it both inspiring and relatable.
Celebrating 35 Weeks of Pregnancy!
Wednesday marked a significant milestone: I officially hit 35 weeks of pregnancy! You will truly NEVER hear me complain about being pregnant. Especially after having my water break at just 32 weeks with Josh, every extra day with this little one safe inside feels like an incredible blessing. I am more than happy to stay pregnant for as long as needed, cherishing every moment of this journey. I even shared a sweet video clip (saved on my Pregnancy Part 2 Story Highlight) of this baby boy kicking and moving around while I sipped tea from my favorite mama mug. Aren’t those baby kicks the absolute best? They’re such a wonderful, tangible connection to the little life growing within.
Thoughtful Teacher Gifts for the Holidays
Confession time: I *almost* forgot to get teacher gifts this year! Yikes! Luckily, during preschool drop-off, the mom in front of me was handing out gift bags, providing a much-needed reminder. My absolute go-to for teacher appreciation gifts are gift cards to grocery stores like Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, or Whole Foods. I believe everyone needs and appreciates healthy food in their kitchen. I also always include a really nice, heartfelt handwritten note, expressing genuine gratitude for all their hard work and dedication. Josh, at five years old, even adds his own signature, making it extra special. I received SO many messages from teachers affirming, “YES! All we want are gift cards! We have way too many coffee mugs/scarves/lotion/ornaments/apple-themed everything!” Which was incredibly reassuring, as gift cards were honestly all I had the energy for this year! Haha! Teachers are truly amazing, and they deserve all the gift cards in the world for their invaluable contributions.
Embracing the Muddy Adventure
After another rainy day, we took the boys to the playground. Predictably, instead of gravitating towards the swings and slides, their attention was immediately drawn to the muddiest hill they could find. And honestly? I’m completely fine with it! I love nothing more than allowing kids to be little, to get dirty, to explore their environment without inhibition, and simply have FUN. That’s precisely what washing machines are for, after all! These messy adventures are crucial for their development and create unforgettable childhood memories.
Stocking Stuffer Inspiration for Little Boys
While I still have a bit more Christmas shopping to tackle, I’m thrilled to have crossed the boys’ stocking stuffers off my list this week! Finding small, engaging treasures can sometimes be tricky, so I was happy to share everything I got for their stockings in case you need a little inspiration. From practical items to delightful little surprises, stocking stuffers are such a fun part of Christmas morning, and I love finding things that will bring them joy and keep them entertained.
Baby Appointment Update: All Systems Go!
On Friday, I had an important appointment to check on our baby boy. I’m so relieved and happy to report that everything is looking absolutely great! He’s head down and getting ready for his grand arrival. However, I confess I got a super nervous jolt before my appointment when a blaring alert popped up on my phone just an hour before I had to leave for the doctors.
It definitely doesn’t feel like the calmest time to be having a baby, given the current global climate. But I made sure to check with my doctor, and she reassured me that no matter what, Shawn will absolutely be able to come to the hospital with me for the delivery. They would never take that away, which was a huge relief and a moment of genuine comfort. Phew! It’s certainly a strange and unprecedented time to be expecting a baby within the next month, and managing the associated anxieties has become a daily practice.
I’ve consciously put myself into a protective bubble lately. I am not watching the news at all; Shawn has kindly taken on the role of filtering everything I need to know, shielding me from overwhelming information. My focus is entirely on staying calm, positive, and hoping for the very best outcome. I know in my heart that everything will be just fine and truly wonderful.
A BIG, Heartfelt Request!
If we could all keep the conversation surrounding the end of my pregnancy really calm and casual, I would *absolutely love* that! I am someone who gets extremely nervous about change, especially when it feels like a big, momentous occasion. (This is precisely why my wedding was such a small, intimate affair with only about 25 people, ha!) I genuinely do best when things are kept low-key and understated.
Things like guessing when the baby is going to arrive, probing about hospital protocols, or, worst of all, sharing any labor horror stories really do freak me out! These kinds of comments tend to amplify my anxieties rather than alleviate them.
The very best, most supportive things you can say to me right now are simple and positive:
- “You look great!”
- “You’re going to do great!”
- “I’m so excited for you!”
- And perhaps something reassuring like, “I just had a baby, and everything was fine at the hospital!”
Anything else, honestly, just makes me feel very much beyond nervous, scared, and antsy. This is my first time having a baby with such a large, public audience, so thank you all immensely for your understanding, love, support, and for sharing ONLY GOOD VIBES! Your positive energy means the world to me during this incredibly special and sensitive time.
A Special Mommy-Joshie Date
On Saturday, Shawn heroically stayed home with Ryan while he napped, allowing me to take Josh on a special Mommy-Joshie date! We started with a delightful stop at Starbucks for his favorite treat, and then embarked on a Christmas shopping adventure at the charming local stores in our town. It was wonderful to support our small businesses during this crucial holiday season. I HIGHLY recommend taking your kids on these special one-on-one dates; it creates an absolute SWEETEST, most cherished, and unforgettable time for both of you. The unique bond formed during these moments is truly priceless.
Early Holiday Cheer: Family Christmas Gatherings
This past weekend was filled with the warmth of early Christmas gatherings with our beloved family. On Friday, we hosted Shawn’s dad and his siblings for a lively pizza party, complete with present unwrapping. The boys were absolutely enthralled with their new gifts this year! Their excitement, from carefully unwrapping each package to immediately diving into playtime, was utterly adorable and infectious. It’s these moments of pure, unadulterated joy that truly encapsulate the magic of Christmas. Also, a quick tip: I HIGHLY recommend taking the easy route and just ordering pizza if that’s all the energy you can muster! Ha! It makes hosting so much less stressful, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: spending quality time with loved ones.
On Saturday, my side of the family gathered, and we held a fantastic virtual Christmas party via Zoom with my dad’s entire extended family. While we usually all get together in person in December, we happily adjusted to a virtual format this year. This adjustment actually worked out beautifully, as it allowed family members from all over the country to join in, rather than just those who live locally. It was a wonderful way to connect and share festive cheer despite the distance. And yes, keeping with our theme of ease and enjoyment, we once again ordered takeout! It’s all about making things simple and enjoyable during this special but often demanding time of year.
Indulgence & Relief: Little Luxury Of The Week
After a long day of chasing around two energetic little boys while 35 weeks pregnant, my back, legs, and even my butt are absolutely protesting! I’ve developed a full-on pregnant waddle, and relief is a top priority. My absolute little luxury of the week has been indulging in a warm bath (don’t worry, not too hot for the baby!) with this incredible muscle soak bath set. The epsom salts work wonders, easing my aching muscles, while the essential oils create an amazing aroma and provide that soothing, tingly feeling of relief. It’s truly the best way to unwind and find comfort. For anyone else in need of some blissful relaxation, you can get it here, and by using the code TASTESLOVELY, you’ll receive a generous 35% off! It’s an essential part of my self-care routine during this late stage of pregnancy.
A Moment of Innocence: Funny Story Of The Week
After my baby doctor’s appointment on Friday, I was showing the boys the video of their baby brother from the ultrasound. He was moving and wiggling around quite a bit, much to their fascination. Josh, my curious five-year-old, looked up at me, and we had this absolutely adorable and hilariously innocent conversation:
Josh: Mom, does baby brother ever kick your poo?
Me: Haha! I guess so! But it’s okay, honey, it doesn’t get him dirty.
Josh: And your pee too?
Me: He squishes where I have to pee. That’s why I have to go pee so much.
Josh: Oh! I don’t have to go pee at all right now!
Kids are simply TOO CUTE, and their innocent questions always bring a smile to my face, often when I least expect it!
Wishing You a Wonderful Week Ahead!
As we head into the final week before Christmas, I hope you all have the best, most wonderful and magical holiday celebration! I’m eagerly looking forward to many more cozy snuggles on the couch with my boys, watching classic Christmas movies, and cherishing these precious moments with my beautiful mom. May your week be filled with joy, love, laughter, and all the festive spirit the season has to offer. Wishing you a truly memorable and delightful Christmas experience!
Hugs and happy holidays,
Natalie