October Love, Goals, + Updates

Happy October, sweet friends! I'm really baffled that October is already here, but I am also thrilled. It's my all-time favorite month and I definitely think it should be celebrated! Like, maybe there's no school, no work, and no responsibilities all month. We'll all just spend October huddled around a bonfire with pumpkin coffee and apple bread. Because that's realistic, right? 😋

I could spend the rest of the month just posting about why I love October. And other than the fact that it would get pretty old for you, I would.
But since that's not going to work, I decided to do an October goals post, September updates, and some things I am loving for October- all wrapped up into one. You're welcome 😉

September Update

September has been a strange month for me. Very strange. I finished up a nanny job that I was contracted on through the Summer. I got a VA job that I worked for two weeks, but turned out not to be the best fit. I gained another client that has been an awesome fit.
Then, my hip and back injury (which left me bedridden for 5 days last year) acted up again and still hasn't settled down. It's not as bad as the last time that I had problems, but I have been doing a whole lot of laying in bed with a heating pad the past few weeks. I'm really hoping that the steroid shot I'll be getting next week will do the trick!

And to end September, we spent last weekend of the month in the mountains with our family, friends, and our church family. We were celebrating our home church's 10 year anniversary.

I really didn't have that many goals listed for September, and I met 3 out of 4 of them. Taylor and I actually did much better at adulting (i.e. being responsible people who clean, cook, and go to bed at a decent hour 😂), I was able to see baby E three times, and I finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Woot woot!

However, I did not get ahead on my blogging goals, because of the hip flare-up, which causes a lot of pain that gets worse when I try to sit down for long periods of time. I'm trying to find creative, practical ways to still get things done this month to make up for last month.

October Goals

Get Ahead On the Blog

I am desperately wanting to get ahead on my blog posts, VA work, and social media scheduling. For October, I'm just going to try to get at least three blog posts ahead and to revamp two posts with new images.

Workout Four Times Per Week

A while back, my grandparents let us borrow their stationary bike that has some pre-made workouts built in. We finally started using it recently and I think it's going to be a really good workout without murdering my hip. My goal is to do four workouts on the bike per week.

Focus On What Matters

Guys, I am so bad about focusing on the wrong things when it comes to my goals. I spend so much time participating in threads and worrying about numbers, that I neglect the most important parts of blogging: namely, crafting blog posts and newsletters.

It's really easy to get priorities turned upside in anything we set our hands to, so I'm sure it's not just me who struggles with that. But this month, I want to focus on getting it right. It's hard, and I cringe when I have to choose between growing my social media numbers and creating new content, but it's clear to me what matters most.

October Love

Apple Pumpkin Bread

I know I mentioned this apple pumpkin bread in my roundup post, but my sweet friend Gracie came to Charlotte and made this recipe again and it was even better than I remembered. Seriously, you need this bread in your life!

Blue Bloods

I love Blue Bloods, and season 8 just premiered a few days ago. The first episode of the season was heart-breaking, but I am so excited that it's back on. I might be a smidge addicted!

Birthdays

October is birthday month for me, for Taylor, and for several of my awesome friends. Unfortunately, October and these birthdays always seem to come and go before I have a chance to blink, but I still enjoy it thoroughly. I have no idea what I am doing for my birthday, but I think Taylor's parents are coming down for his. It'll be awesome.

Pumpkin Patches

Last year, going to a pumpkin patch was one of the highlights of my Fall. I went twice with baby E and it was so fun! This year, I am hoping that Taylor and I can go together.


What fun things are you looking forward to during the month of October? Did you do anything noteworthy in September? Comment below!

Healthy Chocolate Pumpkin Protein Shake

In lieu of it being the most wonderful month of the year, I decided I needed to crank out some more pumpkin recipes! 

I don't really post a lot of recipe's around here. Most of my blogs are focused on Christian living. However, when Fall rolls around, I cannot resist  posting more- because, well... #pumpkin.

Nuff' said ;)

One of my favorite healthy snacks is my "Nana's Protein Shake". It's packed with vitamins and protein so it aids in both health and in hunger cravings. I usually like to keep the shake "as is", but I discovered that the pumpkin-y-ness is pretty awesome too. Not to mention, including pumpkin in the drink adds a lot of vitamin A.

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To make this shake, combine the following in a blender:

1 Cup chocolate soy milk (I use the light version of Silk when the store actually has it...)
1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder (I use Spirutein soy protein)
3 Tablespoons pure pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling!)
1 Cup of ice

Blend together until ice chunks are gone and serve. This makes about 16oz.

Nutrition: * 183 Calories* 28 Carbs* 3 grams fat* 13 grams protein* 22 grams sugar*

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And, since it is October- have I mentioned that it's the greatest month ever?- I decided to find a few other pumpkin recipes for you. You're welcome.

Pumpkin Recipe Round-Up

Pumpkin-Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Buttercream Frosting

Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins

Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin-Nutella Cookie Bars


Hopefully, these will get you started on the basic human need for pumpkin everything :)

Enjoy!

Hello, October!

Happy, happy, happy October! My favorite month is here and just knowing that makes me ecstatic! I'm doing a little jig over it ;)

October is when the leaves really start to change. The gold and crimson hues and the crisp air overwhelm me. I tend to feel lighter, perkier, and more optimistic during this time of year.

In addition to the beauty of it all, October holds my birthday, my husband's birthday, one of my best friend's birthday, and mine and my husband's dating anniversary. Lots and lots of good stuff!

I have several goals for October, but first, lets take a peek back at September.

September Goals

1.) Watch Florida football with Taylor
Ehh, kinda. We went to one game at a WAY too crowded bar in downtown Charlotte. We also watched one game at home. He's been working during all of the games, and since I only watch for him, I haven't been watching without him.

2.) Decorate 
Check! I put up my fall decorations about three weeks ago :)
I'd still like to make a fall wreath.

3.) Blog at least four days per week
I did pretty well with this. Twice I blogged 4 times, once 3, and once 2. The only week I wasn't proud of was the week where I only posted twice, simply because I didn't meet my goal.

4.) Get Outside
Yes! My nanny job is awesome because they live fairly close to a park. I take baby E to the park to play and I get a nice walk in.

5.) Plan Another "Get It Together" Challenge
Check and Check! I planned it and we are in the middle of the challenge. I have been so proud of all the ladies who are participating!

Now, let's get to October, shall we?

October Goals:

1.) Read the Bible 2 times per week

I have such a tough time getting myself to read. It's frustrating, and I have been saying for years that I need to get better. Taylor and I read together at night several times a week and I am so thankful for that. But I also need my personal quiet time. For now, my goal is twice a week, with the hope of getting better at consistency.

2.) Meet my Weight Goal

I organized and started my Get it Together group last month. It has been going really well and I enjoy facilitating. My weight-loss goal by the end of the challenge is to have lost 10 lbs. I weighed today and I've lost just under 5 lbs in 15 days. I call that success. And I want to lose the other 5 by the time the challenge is over :)

3.) Cook at least 4 times per week

Taylor and I are really bad about either going out for fast food or doing simple boxed-meals. There's nothing wrong with boxed meals, and they can be yummy, but I am a pretty decent cook, and there is no reason (other than laziness) not to cook more homemade recipes.

And with fall here, there are so many soups, chili's, and pumpkin-thingies to make!

4.) Blog 4 times per week

This was my goal last month, and here it is again. I am happy with blogging 4 times/week. I would like it to eventually be 5, but 4 times/week is a good amount and it is realistic.

September was kind of a tough month for me personally, but I was very proud of myself for accomplishing the goals that I set for myself. Small victories add up!

How about you? How was your September? Is there anything you are excited for in October? Comment below :)