Living In Luon

"Since when did it become the norm for moms to wear their workout clothes all day long?" asks my husband. Well honey they're not just workout clothes nowadays, they're everything clothes. My husband works in a popular retail store that sells double B.O.B. strollers, so needless to say he encounters lots of moms. I work in a gym with both the best childcare and the best exercise classes around, so I also encounter lots of moms. And whether in the gym or out and about running errands these moms are wearing their workout clothes. But it's not just moms who've caught on to the comfort and versatility that a life in luon has to offer. Be it traveling, grocery shopping, jogging, or driving the kids to-and-fro, workout attire is a popular choice among women these days.

Here are just a few of my personal reasons to 'wear my workout' all day long
1) It's usually black, and isn't black flattering?
2) When it's not black it's bright (I'm talking florescent), and can't we all use a little more brightness in our days?
3) I love quick-dry material, especially now that baby drool is my main accessory.
4) I'm always ready to work whether it's helping at the local community garden or doing a surprise set of triceps dips from the kitchen counter while cooking. I'm never caught off guard if I'm in workout clothes.
5) The versatility is unreal. In the right pair of shorts I can literally workout, run around town all day doing what I do, and throw on a cute top and wedges and somehow the 'outfit' looks good! Now I wouldn't do all of this in the same pair of shorts in the same day unless, of course, I washed 'em in between events and let 'em quick-dry in three minutes.
6) Convenience is key and the secret compartments and zip-pockets in my gear are far superior than what jeans have to offer.
7) Kids! Whether it's toting around my baby or wrestling with my more mature 3, 5, and 6 year old nephews, luon, spandex, nor hemp have ever let us down.
8) I work in a gym and dress accordingly.
9) I'm not afraid to drop a pretty penny on a good pair of workout pants. Therefore, I intend to get a lot of wear out of them! The quality of some of this stuff is superior to some of my 'regular' clothes and they never seem to fade or come apart at the seems
10) They grew with me through 60 pounds of pregnancy, got me through the postpartum phase when neither maternity jeans nor pre-pregnancy jeans were cutting it, and those same workout clothes still haven't lost their pizzaz.
11) Comfort. 'Nough said

Sometimes my workout attire is accompanied by a messy bun of hair piled high on my head, but sometimes it comes with sleek straightened hair and the gold necklace bearing my son's initial. Sometimes it carries me miles along the beach at sunrise and sometimes it's slept in, danced in, and yes, even worshiped in at church from time to time! Is this bad? Should I and all the other comfort-crazed women out there leave our luon behind for khakis or slacks? And men, I'd like to hear from you! What do you really think of a sporty looking lady vs. a more prim and proper gal?

My challenge to you ladies out there is to try something new. If you've not experienced the joy that is wearing black stretchy pants to the market- get out there and give it a shot! If this post describes you to a 't' try sprucing it up with a headband, funky top, or cute stud earings.

Well, I happen to be in running shorts and am now motivated to vacume the house. See ya later!

Phone Call With A 5 Year Old

My silly nephew Hank turned a whopping FIVE years old today! Five years ago we weren't sure he'd even 'make it' as he was born two months early while his parents were on vacation in Arizona. He was in hospital there a long time before being flown to Las Vegas to continue living in a hospital in his hometown while he gained weight and got stronger. But Hank's a fighter and has grown to be a healthy happy kid. I wouldn't say 'normal' kid 'cause my Dad always says there's no fun in being normal, but Hank sure is as bright and skilled as a little guy of his age should be.

I kept trying to call and wish him a happy birthday but first he was at McDonalds for hours playing with Nani, then he was napping, then I tried to call my brother but he was at work. So when I finally reached Hank on Nani's cell he had a heck of a lot to tell me about his birthday!

He had chicken mcnuggets for lunch and an ice cream. He got a bloody nose playing at McDonalds but Nani took good care of him. He asked what I had for breakfast and I told him 'yogurt and fruit' and he excitedly proclaimed 'I had yogurt today too! And I love fruit!' I told him we're coming to his birthday party tomorrow and we have a present for him and he asked if Ari was coming too? And he told me he likes his new house but there's no grass in the backyard, just rocks and stuff.

I don't remember much about being five, but I'm sure Hank will 'cause the kid literally remembers everything. He has one of those super recall memories like his mom. I bet he'll remember that Nani was there, his dog Dracula and his Mommy and Daddy, his Uncle Ryan & Auntie Amanda and Cousin Ari, and Aunt Aspen and all his little friends.

Five years ago my world changed when my brother became a dad (a darn good dad!) and little Hank entered our lives. He brightens my life with his huge grin, infectious laughter, and sweet demeanor. We can't wait to visit him this weekend and laugh and play with him.

Happy Birthday Hank!

Sweet Potato Goodness

Tonight we had the most satisfying dinner- Sweet Potato Hash! I wanted to use up the organic sweet potatoes that were about to go to waste since I haven't wanted to run the oven in the summer heat. Sweet potatoes are all the rage these days so I decided to jump on the trend and get creative with the spuds. Just a few simple ingredients led to one amazing meal that we're excited to keep modifying and enjoying here at Nassau Town. Although there could be so many delicious ways to prepare a sweet potato hash I wanted to keep it quick and simple tonight, so here you have it.

Ingredients
Grated sweet potato with skin
Green onion
Sea salt
Pepper
Eggs
Ghee
Use however much of each you prefer- I don't measure!

Mix the sweet potato, green onion & spices together and add to the pan full of hot ghee.
Cover and cook until soft, stirring a few times (this took about 5min. on medium heat in saute pan).
Cook eggs- you can scramble them into your potato hash but I cooked them in a separate pan sunny side up to get more of the nutrients from the yolk.
I put the hash into bowls, added the eggs on top, and doused my husband's in hot sauce of course.

We were both completely satiated and amazed at the rich flavors of the sweet potato, yolk, and ghee all coming together in perfect harmony. If you don't have ghee at home go out and buy some immediately, or make your own! And please don't be scared of the fat content of egg yolk and ghee- fat doesn't make you fat, I promise (just look at my husband). Let me know what tasty variations you create!