I was asked to post about my recent Boudoir photo session. This will be long, just giving you a head's up, but it will be worth reading to the end. I have struggled, as most females have, with my self confidence. I have always been complimented, but I always bought in to the society hype of what a woman should look like. I became somewhat depressed because I didn't have the thigh gap, the muscular upper back, the toned 6 pack. I had the flabby left over pregnancy tummy, the cellulite ridden thighs that touched, the arms that flapped in the wind. I believed that I was fat because I wasn't like the models in the magazines for a long time. Then I was invited to like a page on facebook. So I did. It was a local boudior photography page and I saw an add about a full day of sexy. Who wouldn't want to do that right? Feel sexy for a whole day!? Well, I didn't want to do that. As much as I wanted to feel sexy and beautiful, I couldn't stop seeing all the flaws that I had become obsessed with. I kept seeing pictures on that page of women just like me that had done it, so I thought why not? I want to feel as beutiful as everyone tells me I am. For once, I chose to ignore the mirror, ignore the thoughts in my head, just ignore it all and I took the leap of faith. The date had been set. I went in for my consultation appointment. Why is that important you ask? Well, I will tell you. The photographer helped me decide what kinds of lingerie would be best for my body type, we walked through what I was comfortable with and she assured me that the whole day would be about me. My hair and make-up would be done by a professional. All I had to do was show up with things to wear. I was sold! It was paid for and there was no turning back, so I dedicated my time to shut the voices in my head up about how I thought I should look. I just kept telling myself that I was beautiful, I was not a size 2 and that was perfectly ok. I showed up for my shoot feeling a bit nervous, but somehow confident that I would feel empowered and that I had made the right choice in spending some much needed and deserved time for myself! The photographer (Marsha Foster) was cheerful and excited and she was cracking jokes to make me feel more comfortable. The hair and make-up was done by Ashley Gregory. She was just as laid back and hilarious as Marsha. It was like a high school sleepover. Remember those? How much fun you had? How comfortable you were around your friends? It was just like that. Once the hair and make-up was completed, Ashley left and the session was on. We started out with the outfit I was the most comfortable in, but it didn't take long before I was fully confident and the sexiest photos came from that. She spent the day building me up, complimenting me, and empowering me. I felt so incredibly gorgeous. I didn't think about my butt, thighs, stomach, back, arms....etc. NOT ONCE! In that moment I realized, it's not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority. It's a necessity! I still feel beautiful and sexy and I still don't care about my body flaws. I know I am not alone in feeling the way I did. I recommend you all book a photo shoot with her!! She will work with you on payments. She goes above and beyond what any other boudior photographer does. Her business name is Freedom Dreamer Photography. I have added a few of the pictures so you have proof of her incredible work! Go call her right now!!! And don't forget to tell her who sent you :)    ***I will add this, she does not photo shop the pictures. All her editing is done in the camera before taking the picture. She will change the lighting constantly to get different effects. Believe me - my body is FAR from perfect. I have cellulite and loose skin, but you can't see any of it in the photos because she really is that incredible with a camera**

 

Bean Stew (kid approved)

Bean Stew
Ingredients:
6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth (I use vegetable broth)
1 cup dry beans, picked over and rinsed
2 medium carrots, peeled and finely diced
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely diced
3 tbsp uncooked white rice
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
Directions:
Place all ingredients in the slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 - 5 hours.
*TIP - Can be used as a freezer meal, but... do not add the broth. Place all the ingredients (minus the broth) in a ziploc bag before cooking and place in freezer. Once you are ready to make it, you will need to leave it in the fridge overnight to thaw. Then you will add the broth to the crock pot.

Pork and Beans (kid approved)

Pork and Beans
Ingredients:
3 cups cooked and cute into cubes pork chops
3 (15oz) cans pinto beans
1 large white onion, diced
1 cup organic ketchup (yes they really make that)
1/3 cup maple syrup (the real maple syrup)
1 tbsp molasses
1 tbsp olive oil
Directions:
Saute onions in the olive oil until fragrant and translucent. Add all other ingredients to the pan, and warm over medium heat, dtirring frequently. I often put this in the crock pot for 2-3 hours on low.

Cauliflower Pizza Bites (kid approved as long as you don't tell them it's cauliflower)

Cauliflower Pizza Bites
Ingredients:
2 cups grated cauliflower
1/4 cup egg whites
1 cup 1% cottage cheese (drained)
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp parsley
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp coconut oil (optional)
1-2 tbsp franks hot sauce (optional)
mini pepperoni slices
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 450. Line a cookie sheet with parchement paper. In a hot pan, fry your cauliflower in the coconut oil until the cauliflower is slightly translucent (about 6-8 minutes). Place in a bowl and let cool. Place all other ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. In a bowl, combine the cauliflower and the blended ingredients. Stir until blended well. Evenly spoon mixture into little circles on the parchment paper and press firmly on each one forming them into flat circles (like pizza). Place your mini pepperoni slices on each one and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the pizza bites from the oven and let set until cool (this is important as they will break apart while they are hot). Top with organic pizza sauce if desired. We use it for dipping ours.

Zesty Grilled Chicken (Kid Approved and our FAVORITE!)

Zesty Grilled Chicken
Ingredients:
6-8 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup apple cider vinegar
3 tbsp minced garlic
1 1/2 tsp weber grill seasoning - chicago steak (I know you're thinking - steak seasoning on chicken?? Trust me on this one)
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large ziploc bag and shake until ingredients are evenly mixed and seasonings are coating all chicken. Marinate for 6 hours (I usually let it sit about 8), turning and shaking the bag every couple hours. Grill on an outside grill on medium/high heat about 7 minutes on each side until chicken is 165 degrees on the inside.

4 Ingredient Pancakes (kid approved)

4 Ingredient Pancakes
Ingredients:
3 bananas
6 egg whites
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a blender. Spray griddle with olive oil. Once the griddle is warm, add the pancake batter. Cook approx 2 minutes on each side, until done.

Edible Cookie Dough (definetly kid approved)

Edible Cookie Dough
Ingredients:
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 squares dark chocolate (we use 1 square of Lindt 85% cocoa and 1 square of 90% cocoa)
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Directions:Add all ingredients in a blender and mix together about 30 seconds. Place wax paper on a plate and add cookie dough in small rounded balls. Put in the freezer for at least 1 hour. (I have found they taste best if you wait for two hours)