Need ideas for a quick and refreshing summer plate for lunch or dinner this week? Check out my new #whatiate post now up. Click read more to see my full plate and the ingredients & recipe. 

My darling fur baby bestie turned one today and of course I wrote about it. And of course I threw him a party. Read more to see his adorable photo shoot goodness and read why I believe I'm not crazy for celebrating him in such a grand fashion. 

A new #FitnessFriday post by guest Wellness Expert Rachel Zeskind! Click the image to read the blog & see the short video. 

I love celebrations. Of all kinds. Most people in their late twenties and into their thirties start to shy away from the birthday celebration notion. Not me. I say bring it! I love getting to play hostess & spending time loving on and being loved on by those closest to me. And I say, if there's a chance to spend some time off loving on and being loved on by those you adore, why wouldn't you jump for joy at that?

Oh, the whole getting older thing.

I look at it as I was blessed to be here another year, so bring on that extra candle. Life is about choices. It's about perspective So you can look at it as a day to shy away from those around you because somewhere along the way you felt like getting one year older no longer warranted a celebration, or you can bake yourself up an nice, delicious organic birthday cake (or be blessed to have your friends make you gluten-free and dairy-free brownies and fudge muffins) and have another candle to make a wish upon. 

Personally, I think the latter sounds a whole lot funner. 

For the past few years I've spent my birthday working. But working on things that I LOVE and things that don't feel like work. Asking God to guide me on the daily has helped to open my eyes, open my heart and has opened doors to things I couldn't have dreamed up all by myself. I'm creative, but I don't hold a candle to the Creator. 

Mr. Charming and I took our niece Amber (and my former back-up singer/touring buddy) to California's Southern Wine Country for my birthday to celebrate my record label signing with Universal. It was a weekend filled with butterflies and family style dinners and super late nights talking business strategy and songwriting and it... was... fantastic. My soul needed that little pick me up after the news of the magazine closing it's doors.

So. That's why it's been a minute since I posted a blog. I've been living it up on social media though - Twitter parties - Facebook chat groups and Instagram have consumed my time. Actually connecting to bloggers, writers, foodies and Jesus loving women has given the blogging aspect so much more fulfillment. So if you're missing me here, you can find me on any of these platforms. 

School. School has been more than I ever could imagined so far and I can't remember the last time I had this much fun learning. After completing my certification program as a Personal Nutritionist (finally! yay! and info coming soon - I need to get super organized and am still finishing up clinics/case studies) I was honored to receive a scholarship for the advanced diploma specializing in pregnancy care, children's nutrition and FOOD ALLERGIES! My niche! My niche! I am so HAPPY to move into something where I can help others learn the amazing things I've learned about food, supplements and our environments. 

I hope you all are having an AMAZING summer. What do you all have planned? And what are you cooking up for your families???

I was honored to receive a Liebster Award from the lovely Miss Tiffany of The Golden Letter. Read my post about the nomination, my interview questions answered and my nominees. 

Today's #FitnessFriday post features an awesome 90 second stress reduction yoga video by Holistic Health & Wellness Coach Rachel Zeskind. Read more to see the todays Fitness Friday post & the video.