You know, maybe turn down the thermostat, throw a chunky throw blanket onto the couch, light the Leaves candle, and oh, I don’t know… watch some COLLEGE FOOTBALL?! Georgia takes on Clemson this Saturday night and whew, what a game to start the season.

Labor Day weekend is one of my favorite weekends because it pairs the best of summer (we have a boat lined up for some lake action) with the promise of the upcoming season change. And oh, did I mention there is football? Ok, let’s move on…

ONE: Sweet Home Bearolina

Today I’ve got some driving to do, as I’m going to take pictures of Sweet Home Bearolina. She got a deep clean and is ready for her glamour shots. I hope I can do the place justice, but either way, I’m excited to have new pictures for us to redo the website and represent the listing more accurately. As of September 1, we officially took over self managing and I’m equal parts exhilarated and terrified.

TWO: This Week’s Eats

It’s been really nice to be making food in my own kitchen again. In preparation of our big “back to everything” week next week (co-op, soccer, TKD, piano, Spanish class, etc), I’m trying to get a good feel on which days I’ll have to prep and cook and which days I’ll be best relying on kid-friendly crockpot meals.

Here are what meals have been for us this week:

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• Butcher Box sirloins with baked potato and kale salad from True Food (I love this kale salad!)
• Breakfast for me all week has been a Daily Harvest Bowl (usually the millet grits) topped with an egg – Friendly reminder that you can use my code AHEALTHYSLICE to receive $25 off 9 items, $30 off 14 items, or $40 off 24 items if you’re interested in trying Daily Harvest!
• Pork tenderloin, Mason Dixie biscuits, leftover kale salad, and a new braised cabbage recipe that sadly nobody liked
• Kids put together their own snack plates this week and included: hearts of palm (the fan favorite), carrots, snap peas, dates, pretzels, hummus, boiled eggs, and apples
• Grilled chicken on a leftover baked potato (kids and David had it on a bun) with blue cheese, buffalo sauce, and ranch, plus broccoli and onion rings (Alexia from the freezer)
• Lunch bowls made from leftovers: rice and beans, leftover steak and chicken, pico, broccoli, and sour cream
• Crockpot butter chicken over rice with sriracha because they kids (mostly Kaitlyn) can’t handle it if I add heat to the dish)

THREE: Books.

I finally finished Maybe You Should Talk to Someone and really enjoyed it. I am currently reading Teach Your Children Well and though I’m only a few chapters in, I find it very much aligns with my view of raising kids. I’m also reading 12 Rules for Life after David told me it was a good one.

Still, I’m in the market for a new book, a novel that’s just a light “fun read” to listen to while driving to TN and was intrigued by this list of 17 Books to Read Before They Hit the Screen. I don’t see any historical fiction on the list besides The Nightingale (which I’ve read and is great), but maybe I’ll step outside my two favorite genres (self development and historical fiction) for once! Any recommendations?

FOUR: Back on a smoothie kick!

Smoothies rarely sound good to me but when I make one anyway, I always end up enjoying the taste and how it makes me feel. I’ve been making a double batch lately for David and I to split. Typically I put in: a Costco organic from smoothie pack that has fruit and spinach and kale, Gnarly protein, Gnarly collagen, Rritual immune support, spirulina, and milked walnuts.

I love that Kaitlyn has been asking for and enjoying some, too. I’ve been wanting to focus in on her gut health and I feel like the fiber and overall nutrition boost is good for her. On that topic, does anyone have a quality kids probiotic they love? I’d love to hear what it is!

FIVE: There are some Labor Deals worth nothing if you happen to be in the market for any of these items.

Also, has anyone else read that product shortages and shipping delays are likely to be rampant this holiday season? I’m not one to bring up Christmas yet (who am I kidding, yes I am), but if you see any Labor Day deals anywhere for items for gifts, go ahead and hop on it. That’s my plan at least!

• HigherDose Infrared Sauna Blanket is having a huge sale- $100 off with the code LDW100! This blanket detoxifies the body, relaxes the mind, boosts your mood, promotes glowing skin, and stokes a healthy dose of your brain’s feel good chemicals. When the weather gets colder, I use mine several times a week.
• AeroGarden is offering 35% off everything with code LABORDAY. I’ve toyed around with the idea of getting one of these indoor gardens for over a year now. Somebody send this to David and remind him Christmas is only 3 months away 😉
• Joy Organics CBD Labor Day sale runs through September 7 and you can get 25% off with the code AHS25. New to CBD? Here is a breakdown of the basics and delivery methods. My current favorites include the energy drink, the soft gels, and the gummies.
• GAP is giving you an additional 50% off with code FLASH. Hailey loves their rompers and jumpsuits.
• Rugs USA is having a huge 75% off sale. Can anyone vouch for their quality? I’m in the market for a big area rug for our living room and am tempted to take advantage of this sale.
• Kiwi Crate is only $18 per month for 3 months with code SPARK. (We bought Hailey another subscription for her upcoming birthday; she loves the tinker crate line!)

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and get to spend some time unplugged with people you love!