I Had The Time Of My Life (Pun Intended).

I was immediately transported back to my early teen years when I once snuck into our basement play area to watch Dirty Dancing. It was one of those ‘off limit’ movies but my young self just had to see what it was all about. The movie had probably been released several years earlier, but to me it was new and….forbidden.

Fast forward about 17 years or so and I was taken right back to that moment when I saw the movie for the first time. For Christmas, my mom surprised both myself and my brother’s fiancee with tickets to see Dirty Dancing the musical at Connor Palace in Playhouse Square. Days leading up to the show, I blasted the soundtrack anywhere I could. At work on Spotify. In the car with my very own two disc soundtrack I received as a gift years ago. In the bathroom on my iPhone. You name it. I don’t think my mom knew just how excited I was for the show until I shared my daily musical obsession with her, nor did she know about my sneaky late night viewing of the movie years ago. Welp, she does now.

Walking into the theater, there were a lot more men than I anticipated and I couldn’t help but wonder how many of them actually ever saw the movie or how many of them were there just to impress their date. Maybe a first date? Maybe a devoted husband wanting to share in his wife’s interests? These were the thoughts going through my head as I stood in line to get my bedazzled souvenir cup.

Side note: I saw the show a little over a week ago and have used my cup every.single.day. (Don’t cringe – I’ve washed also it every.single.day, too. Well, almost).

Back to the show…..1:30pm and it was SHOW TIME! Nothing can get my heart pumping like the opening musical number of Dirty Dancing (the movie) and the show replicated it perfectly. I laughed (a lot), smiled (a lot) and got a little misty eyed when baby ran into Johnny’s arms for the final dance. It was perfect show and a perfect day with my momma and soon to be sissy-in-law. And we may, or may not, watched the movie together as soon as we got back home.

For your added pleasure, United Healthcare just produced this super funny commercial. You’ll understand why I’ve included it once you watch:

Almond Butter Oatmeal Jar.

When January first rolled around, like many do, I made a New Year’s Resolution. It wasn’t to lose weight or go to the gym more often but rather just to overall make healthier food decisions. I like to think of myself as generally a healthy eater to begin with so this resolution wasn’t completely foreign which was really great because it meant I could probably stick to it. I also really wanted to alter my sugar intake. Being that I have always eaten somewhat healthy, I have often fallen victim to the low-calorie snack packs and low fat yogurt. What I have been slowly learning is that though these foods may be low in calories, they really are not good for you at all. So, I have been trying to avoid foods with added sugars and processed foods, as well as make a conscious effort to eat more fruits and vegetables. A snack that was once a Special K bar is now cucumber and hummus. Low-fat yogurt is now Greek yogurt with a drop of honey.

One of my go-to breakfasts of late has been this whole concept of breakfast in a jar. And it’s so easy to make. You get a mason jar, add oats, milk (or soy), some protein (like peanut butter or almond butter), some fruit, stick it in the fridge overnight and you’re done. I Pinned a bunch of recipes but I didn’t have all of the ingredients needed in my home at the time I wanted to make it, so I experimented with what I had and made my own concoction. Let’s just say I am borderline obsessed.

Ingredients:

1. Quick Oats – 1/2 cup
2. Milk (skim, soy, almond) – 1/3 cup
3. Greek Yogurt – 1 tbsp.
4. Almond Butter – 1 tbsp.
5. Honey – 1/2 tbsp.
6. Sliced Banana – preference as to how much you add. I usually only put in 1/4 of the banana

Directions:

• Add the quick oats and milk into the mason jar and give it a quick stir.
• Measure the Greek yogurt, almond butter and honey and add it to the jar. Stir again.
• Cut up your banana and add it to the mix. Stir if desired.
• Seal up the jar and place it in the fridge.

Here’s a quick recipe card to download and print. I call it my Almond Butter Oatmeal Jar….ENJOY!

 

Our First Trip To The Dentist.

Despite the countless books, articles and mommy blogs that I have read since learning I was pregnant in 2013, I never learned that a trip to the dentist should actually take place when your little one starts to get teeth. Say what? News to me! I mean I guess it makes sense. Even though they are just baby teeth, a lot of damage can be done to permanent teeth if a problem arises and isn’t caught in time.

With a quick Google search for Pediatric Dentists in Cleveland, Ohio, I came across quite a few results. I was interested in about three of them so I went to their websites to learn a bit more. Ultimately I chose Giggles and Grin in Broadview Heights. They seemed to have a lot of offered services, and the dentist, Dr. Becky, completed her education in Ohio. Call me weird, but I really gravitate to doctors who are originally from around here. And being that I am in marketing, I found their website pleasing. I also liked the fact that they were on social media. Again, a weird quirk of mine, but what was really attractive to me was the photo gallery. It gave me a first-hand look at the office and what to expect. There were also lots of photos of Dr. Becky posing with kids after their appointments. It was evident that she really loved her job.

So, onto the appointment. It ended up being a mommy-Liam trip because daddy had a work meeting. When we walked into the office, it was just as good, if not better, than the pictures I saw online. We were greeted with bright colors, toys and cartoons. Liam darted right to the choo-choo trains. Prior to our appointment, the receptionist told me that I could download new patient forms via their website so that when I got to the office I could keep my attention on Liam….LOVED this idea…..forgot the papers!

The actual room where Liam had his cleaning was equipped with fun colored chairs, toys and even a television on the ceiling. He wasn’t too into the TV when it came time for the cleaning, but I’m sure if he was older he would appreciate it more. Dr. Becky went through what she would be doing to Liam for the cleaning, where to lay Liam on the chair and away she went. She brushed, scraped, flossed and checked out his gums for more incoming teeth. The procedure probably lasted about 5 minutes but the appointment lasted a bit longer because she explained when to start giving him fluoride toothpaste, how to care for his teeth and so on.

At the end of our visit, I was informed that Liam will be entered into the ‘No Cavity Club’, an adorable idea where Dr. Becky takes pictures of children with no cavities and puts them on a board in the office. She also shares it on their Facebook page. As we are sitting there chatting on the floor after his picture was taken, Liam decides that Dr. Becky is pretty cool and sits on her lap (I died. Seriously kid. Could you get any cuter?!)

Liam got a toy for his good behavior (a little plastic dinosaur) and we were on our merry way. I loved, loved, loved Giggles and Grin and we are looking forward to our next appointment in 6 months!

Side note: we also got this cute little hand-written note from the dentist thanking us for our visit. You don’t get too many of these personalized gestures any more these days!