~ The Crystal Dish ~

Challenges... Yes, that's what we will call today. Challenges for the Challenging day we had. I am going to be real with all of you. Not every day is easy. There are definitely some hard days and today was probably one of the hardest days we've had in a long time.  For those of you who don't know our background, our oldest, Nicholas has ASD/ADHD. He was diagnosed at 3 and we have been doing ABA therapy since then which has been helping so much since then and his progression since he started has been so amazing. He has eye contact, which has dramatically changed, he communicates, he can actively discuss how others are feeling, zones of communication, etc. it has definitely been a work in progress these past 4 years.  Well, with the good days, there are often some bad days in between, or some semi struggling days. Most of the time, I can redirect him during these meltdowns, but today was very hard. It was a struggle. It started about 30 minutes before his ABA thera...

Hallelujah!!!!!!! Day 2 and again my children are sleeping in passed 8 o'clock. Could this be the year they're turning a new leaf, or are they still on Hawaii time??? Either way, I'll take it! Gives this mama some reflection time... time to reflect... Reflection on some growth.... See this picture above. I hiked this two weeks ago. This was Koko Head Crater Trail in Hawaii. It was one of the most challenging, but yet rewarding hikes I have ever done. There were moments of weakness where I wanted to just give up, there were moments where I wanted to turn around and go back down, but guess what, I persevered. My word for 2019 is PERSEVERE!!!! It's my Motto of the Year, let nothing stand in my way and I will PERSEVERE through every obstacle, just as I did through this climb. Just know, that even the hardest climbs have an amazing view from the top. If I would've given up, I wouldn't have been able to enjoy this view from the very top.... I’m so blessed that my...

Happy New Year!!!!!! Out with the old and in with the new!!!! As I reflect on my 2018, there are experiences, losses, memories, and beginnings and endings of so many things. I began and ended my 2018 with my bestie which is absolutely a must and got to meet her precious new bundle of joy! I'm totally in love with him. He's just so stinking cute!!!! My family spent the last two weeks of 2018 in the beautiful sunny Hawaii soaking up the sun. It was a much needed getaway for all of us. A time for us to bond as a family. A trip filled with hikes, Diamond Head, Inside Jokes between family, a catamaran sunset ride, fresh coconuts from the side of the road, slipping in the mud, sandy beaches, some sketchy restaurants we found on the side of the road, Dole Whips, Family Christmas, and reminiscing on memories of Grandpa who never got to take his final trip to Hawaii. This trip was for him and even our last day we could feel him there with us as we picked a random place to eat an...

Life is so funny sometimes. Some days are great and then some days, days like today are simply amazing. Who knew that a kitchen full of 5 women would be just what the doctor ordered. A kitchen to teach, bond, laugh, and share my gift with. It was truly an honor to share what I am so passionate about with these 5 beautiful ladies. We all have our different stories, our different backgrounds, some meat eater, some vegetarian, but in the kitchen we are all ONE…. ONE in the Kitchen… Years ago I had originally started up a meal prepping biz on the side where I would just meal prep for people and drop off meals to them, but then you know, life happens…. That whirlwind of life happens and it hits you sometimes…. WHACK!!!! And then 3 years later…. Now a mom with 3 kids, a little bit more freedom now that all three are in school, 4 years since I auditioned for Masterchef, 3 years since I had my youngest and 3 years since I really gave some time to me…. Time to do what I love… and tha...

Jack and I just started another round of Arbonne's 30 days to Healthy Living, so for lunch today, I was in the mood for a little Greek, which for those of you who know me, know I love me some Greek food!!!!  Jack's lunch was slightly different than mine because he doesn't like all the veggies I included in mine, so he got a green apple, but I was pleased as always with this dish. This is actually one of my favorite go-to meals for meal prepping or for a quick lunch to throw together when I have some chicken. We actually would've started our 30 days last week, but I was away camping with the kiddos and my family, so I wanted to relax and enjoy time with family, rekindle those family bonds, and have fun like we all use to as kids. Last weeks festivities were amazing, but even though we had so much fun, my body definitely was feeling it this week and I needed a reset.... and what better way to reset then with our Healthy Living products, I mean hello!!! That's what t...

Tonight I had to throw dinner together fairly quickly. Our son had a baseball game so we didn’t get home until passed dinner time. While the kids took their nightly bath, I threw together this yummy perfection. It was amazing and hit the spot perfect. I could’ve gorged on some fast food, I wanted to make something for the fam that was still within our 30days to healthy living guidelines. I topped this casserole with my favorite cheese from Trader Joe’s, their Almond Mozzarella Cheese. It’s my absolute favorite vegan cheese and it melts just like dairy cheese! My kiddos can’t even tell the difference. Ingredients 3 medium sweet potatoes, spiralized 1 T extra virgin olive oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 medium carrot, chopped 1 celery stalk, chopped 1 lb ground turkey 1 teaspoon dried oregano ½ teaspoon garlic powder   1 teaspoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon chili powder 1 ½ cups chicken bone broth  1 cup crushed tomatoes Dairy free cheese and...

As silly as it seems because I am such an outgoing person, being on video scares the crap out of me, but they say do one thing that scares you. Challenge yourself because fear will drive you more right? Well, I refuse to let fear take over me because I know what I am capable of, so here’s to doing my very first live cooking show since I was on Good Day Sacramento!!!! EEeekkkk!!! It went wonderful though, I prepped all my food, battled with my can opener because I need a new one and I was somehow at ease or in my own world once I hit that LIVE start button on Facebook.  I really want to incorporate my cooking to this amazing program I am a part of because I love it and it’s so easy, plus, teaching others is my passion, especially when it comes to the kitchen. I’m again in my own world in the kitchen. I’ve been cooking for years, since I was little and I love it. From cooking dinners nightly with my parents, to now teaching my kids and you all how to cook my recipes. I h...