Homemade Wheat Thins

I want to share an AWESOME recipe with you all :) I found this recipe on my favorite website, Pinterest, and put my own spin on it. I am a creature of habit and I eat almost the same thing every day for lunch. Cottage cheese & wheat thins or tuna & wheat thins. So you can imagine I was excited when I found this recipe....and the fact that it actually tasted good! Personally, I think these homemade wheat thins taste better than store bought. Plus, their pretty healthy-very little butter is used and then it's whole wheat flour instead of white. I usually end up making these every few weeks. The key is to roll these out very thin, the thinner the better. Try them out and tell me how it goes!

Instructions:
-Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
-In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. With a pastry blender (or 2 forks), cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Now mix together the water and vanilla and then pour into the flour mixture. Stir this mixture until it comes together. If it appears too dry and crumbly add a titch of water.
-On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough very thin (1/16th of an inch). Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into whatever shape you desire. With a spatula, place the crackers on a oiled cookie sheet. Don't let the crackers touch each other. Sprinkle salt on top.
-Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool completely. Makes around 60 crackers. Store in an air-tight container.

Ingredients:
1 1/4 C 100% whole wheat flour
1 1/2 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 Teaspoon salt, plus extra for sprinkling on top
1/4 Teaspoon paprika
4 Tablespoons butter or margarine (still tastes just as good if you use 3- 3 1/2)
1/4 C + 2 Tablespoons water (or a tiny bit more if the dough is too dry)
1/4 Teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:
-Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
-In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. With a pastry blender (or 2 forks), cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Now mix together the water and vanilla and then pour into the flour mixture. Stir this mixture until it comes together. If it appears too dry and crumbly add a titch of water.
-On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough very thin (1/16th of an inch). Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into whatever shape you desire. With a spatula, place the crackers on a oiled cookie sheet. Don't let the crackers touch each other. Sprinkle salt on top.
-Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool completely. Makes around 60 crackers. Store in an air-tight container.

DIY: Growth Stick

Another DIY project was success! I saw a lot of different growth stick projects on Pinterest and was hooked. I remember having a growth stick growing up that my siblings and I shared. I remember how fun it was to get measured on our birthdays and record that on the stick. I wanted to continue that on with my kids. Online, I saw a BUNCH of different ways the growth stick can be done. I didn't really follow any of them, took some of their ideas and combined them with mine.

 

Materials Needed:

Wood Board (can be thin or thick, whatever you want!)

Paint or Wood Stain

Anything else you want to use for embellishments

 

Instructions:

1. Cut your wood board to the height you want. I had my husband saw ours off at 6 feet 5 inches tall. We are both on the taller side of life so you never know how tall our kids will end up being at 18 years old.

2. Sand! Sand your wood to make sure no little fingers get slivers.

3. Paint! I was originally going to stain the wood, using the leftover stain from our DIY coffee table. BUT, I changed my mind and felt that it would be better with a light creamy color. I wanted to keep the colors gender neutral.

4. While that was drying I painted 6 little wood plaques. I initially wanted to get wood number cutouts but couldn't find any in the size I liked. I painted them a dark red brick color.

 

5. Paint the numbers. This part took me the longest because I did it by hand. First sketching them on paper, tracing them on the plaques, then painting the numbers in. This took a lot of concentration!

6. Next, Measure your board and mark off the measurements. I marked off the inches and feet.

7. Glue on the numbers. With wood glue, I carefully glued them on my board. I then placed heavy books on top to make sure they dried evenly and securely.

 

8. To give the growth stick a little more character I sanded the edges here and there to make it look worn.

 

9. Lastly, paint a clear sealer on top.

 

Night on the Town

Are heels and a clutch always practical for a mom? No, not in the least. But I do think it's necessary to keep those flats in the closet every once in a while. I found these KILLER heels at Target on clearance. There is something about a good deal that just makes me smile.

 

Our little family headed out to Park City for a night out so that we could get out of this YUCKY inversion. I must say, the clean & clear air was refreshing. Keep those lungs healthy, and lets hope we get to see the blue sky soon!

Top: F21 / Pants: F21 / Belt: H&M / Heels: Target / Bracelets: F21 / Earrings: Park City Arts Festival / Clutch: Antonio Melani

 

Beckett: Shirt: J Crew Kids / Jeans: Old Navy / Shoes: Old Navy

80's

Sometimes, i'm pretty sure my husband thinks i'm crazy when he looks at me after I get dressed. Today, he told me I looked like an 80's rocker. I'm going to go ahead and take that as a compliment since his favorite music is 80's rock music. Regardless, I love getting use out of my clothes year round :) Stay warm everyone!

 T-shirt: Authentic Icon

Cardigan: Nordstrom'

Shorts: Forever 21

Leggings: Nordstrom

Shoes: Target

Hat: H&M

Necklace: Forever 21

 

Fringe

 

 

Got to love me some fringe boots! I have been really into the fringe trend this year and love these boots my hubs got me for Christmas. Also, I got some new glasses after going to the eye doctor a few weeks ago. I feel like glasses are more fun when you don't HAVE to wear them. All well, all apart of getting old ;)

 

 Shirt/Jeans: Forever 21

Vest: Nordstrom

Boots: Lauren Conrad

Glasses: Coastal.com

Bracelets: Gift (old)

Necklace: Forever 21

 

Workin' On My Fitness

Disclaimer: I am NOT the 'fittest' person around, or the skinniest, or the most knowledgeable, nor do I claim to be. This information is based off of my education, talking with knowledgeable people, and my own experiences.

So.....now that's out of the way:) Over the past few years I've had a bunch of people ask me what I do at the gym and how I eat, so I figured I'd do a post about it. First of all, I am very interested in the health/fitness world (I am a health/dance teacher and I love teaching others about how to live healthy). My mom is a dietitian and my dad is a fitness guru so it's sort of expected. I've always been fairly active growing up, mostly with dance. After I stopped dancing in college I put my energy into the gym. The following is a general fitness schedule I follow pretty religiously, but I do change it up when I am preparing for a race.

Exercise:
I go to the gym or work out 5-6 days a week for an hour. I prefer 6 days a week, but sometimes I let myself sleep in 1 day (if you call waking up at 6 sleeping in). I am a mom and do work full-time so you're probably wondering HOW I go to the gym 5-6 days/week. I do it because it is a priority and because I wake up and go at 5 a.m. You have to find what works for you. If you know you're not a morning person, don't plan on going to the gym at 5. You're setting yourself up to fail.

I usually do cardio & abs 3 days/week and lift or do a total body workout 2-3 days/week. If i'm training for a race or triathlon i'll increase the cardio days to 4 days and increase the length of the work out. I always take Sundays off.

Monday: Cardio & abs
     -Run 30 min + bike 15 min or
     -StairMaster 25 in + bike/run 20 min

Tuesday: Circuit Training Class (spend one minute per exercise for 60 minutes. Ex: lunges, tricep dips, sprints, bicep curls)

Wednesday: Cardio
     -Same as Monday or I might go to a spinning class

Thursday: Lift
     -I will pick 2-3 muscle groups to work out,  based on what I didn't get worked out good enough at the Tuesday class-you have to keep it even. Ex: 3 sets tricep exercises, 3 sets shoulders, 3 sets back)

Friday: Cardio
     -Same as Mon/Wed or I might take it easy and pop in a Pilate's video or take the day off.

Saturday: Boot camp Class (basically the same as an Insanity Workout-total body workout).

*The key is to always go as hard as you can, make each work out count. Also, it's good to switch up your routine every few months so that you're body doesn't get used to an exercise and plateau.

Nutrition:
I will be the FIRST to admit that eating is my weak end. I have all the will power in the world to get up and put a good workout in every day, but I have NO will power to say no to a brownie.

Generally, I try to eat as healthy as possible, all things in moderation. I try really hard to eat the correct portion sizes too. I figure, if i'm eating relatively healthy all the time, then there is no reason to cut out sweets or whatever the craving is all together.

Example Day:
-Breakfast: Protein Shake after I get home from the gym (1 C protein powder, 1 C milk, 1 C ice, 1 banana = 350 cals). OR a whole grain/fiber rich cereal (Great Grains, Raisin Bran, FiberOne).

Snack: String cheese or apple

Lunch: 1 C cottage cheese, handful of crackers, piece of fruit. OR Tuna & crackers, fruit (usually around 350 cals).

Snack: Granola bar or a piece of fruit

Dinner: This varies everyday, it's usually NOT that healthy because I try to make something my husband will actually like. I try to keep it around 500 cals.

Snack: I try not to snack before bed, but if I do i'll have a small bowl of cereal, a piece of fruit, or something else small....around 200 cals.

Now that is my IDEAL day. Typically, that is what I eat during the week....but I will snack on little things when I get home, that's my downfall. Like I said....all things in moderation :)

Dressy Sunday

 A girls gotta love a leapord print skirt, right? If you know me well, you know about my slight obsession with leopard print. I am a product of my grandmother, and proud of it. In fact, one of the guys at work even noticed a few weeks ago. He said to me, "Isn't that like the 4th leopard print thing you've worn this week?" Why yes, yes it was.

Top: H&M

Skirt: Forever 21

Tights: Old

Ankle Boots: Target

Necklace/Bracelets/Hair Flower: Forever 21

DIY: Coffee Table

This weekend the husband & I put our heads together to update our coffee table. We have had this basic black coffee table from Ikea for a few years now and i've been a bit unhappy with it lately. This update was just what it needed! Here is how we did it:

 

What you need:
wood (enough to cover your table, choose the width you prefer)
wood stain
nails

Directions:

• Start off measuring & cutting your wood to fit the length/width of your coffee table. I was originally going to pick out wood that was wider, but when I was looking I decided on a smaller width.

• Sand, sand, sand. My good husband spent hours in the garage sanding those boards. 
• Next, lay out the wood and get staining! We picked out a good rustic brown color, it took 3 coats but it turned out perfecto.

• Then you are ready to nail! My husband did this part, as I am not handy with tools. He nailed the side boards on first, then lined up the top boards and nailed those on. We picked out black nails that matched the coffee table since they would be seen.
• Wallah, you have a new fabo coffee table!

I have to say I really like the end result, it turned out just like I was hoping. One of my new years resolutions was to make a DIY project that I was proud of.....Check!

Winter Loving

I never thought i'd be the one to say this, but i've been loving this snow! If its gonna be FAreezing outside then there might as well be snow. That's my opinion. And what to where when it's snowing? A beanie of course. Stay safe out there, folks!

Sweatshirt: Victoria Secret

Moto Jacket: Forever 21

Shirt: Forever 21

Jeans: AE

Belt: Nordstrom

Sneakers: Target

Beanie: Target (mens)

Necklace: Forever 21

Casuals

Lately, i'm all about being casual. Especially when it's the weekend and I don't have to work. I threw these old DIY shredded jean shorts over leggings and called it a day. I love getting use out of clothes all year round :)

I also tried out a new way to wear my hair up. I had seen a few pictures of people doing this and made it to work with my hair. It was actually super easy (and i'm all about easy) and looked cuter than I thought it would. I started out with a headband and tucked my hair into the sides of it. When I got to the back I rolled up my hair and tucked it all in the back. I didn't even use 1 other elastic or bobby pin, its that easy peasy!

 

Motorcycles

Recently I have been in love with motorcycle inspired items, such as.....the motorcycle jacket & these motorcycle jeggings i'm wearing. You would probably assume that I like motorcycles as much as these clothing items, but that couldn't be further from the truth. My children won't appreciate me when they're older....no motorcycles for them.....too dangerous.

 

Anyways, I love this sweater too. I found it at Nordstroms on clearance, I love a good deal!

Top: Nordstrom

Leggings: Nordstrom

Shoes: Target

Necklace: Forever 21

The Bubble Necklace

You've got to be living under a rock if you haven't seen these necklaces around! They are super cute, a fun pop of color, and a great statement necklace. I like wearing this necklace with different patterns or with a plain outfit to add some pizazz. That's right, pizazz. You can dress it up or make it casual. Here are 3 ways I wore it.

Cardigan: Old Navy

White Tee: Nordstrom

Pants: Old Navy

Boots: DSW

Belt: Buckle

Necklace: Amazon

New Years Resolutions

I have always been someone that always has goals written down. It has been a while since i've updated my goals and it happens to be the perfect time of year to start fresh! I have a list of about 15 New Years Resolutions, here are a few:

1. Eat healthy and in moderation. I'm not one that promotes or gives into the fad diets. For me, it's about eating as healthy as possible and in proper portions all year round. Am I perfect at this? No! That's why it's a resolution this year, I need to be more consistent. The granola recipe I posted a few weeks ago is going to be a great start to my morning.

2. Complete a DIY project that i'm proud of. I am a lover of crafts, but I really want to make something that is a 'wow' type project. One of those projects that makes you feel accomplished afterwards. I don't have anything in mind yet, but i'm sure Pinterest will help :)

3. Improve my triathlon time. My husband and I competed in our first triathlon last summer. We both had a blast! I am going to start training again soon and I REALLY want to blow my time last year out of the water. Wish me luck, Those 5 a.m. work out sessions aren't always fun.

4. Grow a flourishing garden. We have attempted to grow some vegetables the past few years but it has been pretty unsuccessful. I'm talking like 1 zucchini, and a handful of tomatoes. The garden plot we currently have is useless. We are planning on moving soon and so my hopes are high that we will get our act together and be more self sufficient!

Happy 2013 from the Sharps!