Being a stay-at-home mom is a rewarding but often challenging role. The days can be long, and the tasks never-ending. While our hearts are filled with love for our little ones, it’s essential to remember that self-care is equally important. One therapeutic outlet that many stay-at-home moms have turned to is blogging. In this post, we’ll explore how blogging can be a source of support, personal growth, and empowerment for moms like us.
Read more30 Fall-Themed Lifestyle Blog Ideas
Today we’re rounding up 30 fall themed lifestyle blog ideas to bring more traffic this autumn!
Fall is a big deal here on Long Island. The weather is beautiful, the leaves change in waves, pumpkin patches and corn mazes cover the North Fork. After some unbearably humid and hot summers, fall feels like a gift.
Read moreThe Runaway Bunny Inspired Nursery
Mark my words: my next nursery will be The Runaway Bunny themed.
It’s my favorite children’s book and it’s iconic imagery is absolutely inspiring. I collected items for my dream nursery below – now all I need is the baby 🙂
To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of heavily themed nurseries (or themed weddings, parties, etc). I love simple motifs and little details. That’s why this inspo board isn’t loaded with bunnies; it’s a subtle interpretation.
I wanted to include different textures and colors inspired by the book. It’s a little bit whimsical, a little bit grandmillenial. It would be perfect for a little boy or a little girl!
Some of the links in the post are affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission, at no cost to you.
Did you do a theme for your child’s nursery?
Have you read The Runaway Bunny?
Let me know below!
O.
- How to Take Care of Your Baby When You’re Sick
- Little Things I Do To Make my Baby Feel Loved
- My Baby Knows What She Needs
- How to Keep Your Toddler Cool in the Summer
- Gift Guide for the Tired Mama in Your Life
If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!
Guest Post: Meals in 15 Minutes or Less
Today’s post is a guest post by Sheenia Jackson! She is sharing some quick and easy meals in 15 minutes of less!
Sheenia previously wrote a post on Moms in May, you can check it out here.
Be sure to visit her site and Instagram!
If you would like to guest post on Leaf and Steel please visit our Guest Post page to view requirements and ideas!
Let’s get into it…
I have to say the kitchen is my happy place! But as a busy mom with much to juggle, my favorite meals are those that are simple, fast, and delicious.
Usually, my ultimate cooking goal is to get a healthy meal on the table, while adding a few minutes back into my day. To me, that’s a Win-Win!
Summer is quickly approaching, which means moms will be busy planning family activities and feeding big appetites. In this article, I will be sharing three of my favorite summer recipes that are kind to your budget, ready within minutes, and sure to please your family any day of the week!
From Sunday dinners, to lazy weeknight meals, to game-day appetizers… these dishes include simple ingredients and are perfect for many occasions!
Tasty Shrimp Tacos
Fresh and delicious! This recipe features crisp veggies, a tasty homemade sauce, and fresh squeezed limes. What’s not to love?
Since the only thing we’re cooking is the shrimp, dinner will be served in no time, and you’ll soon be resting your feet!
What You’ll Need…
For the Shrimp:
- 1 lb. shrimp
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Your favorite seasoning
For the Sauce:
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 ½ tablespoons lime juice
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
Ideas for Toppings: white corn tortillas, shredded purple cabbage, sliced red onions, grated Cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, fresh squeezed limes, sliced avocado
Let’s Make It!
- Start by rinsing your shrimp and patting it dry with paper towels. Place the shrimp in a large bowl and add your favorite seasonings. I personally enjoy Italian Seasoning, Smoked Paprika, and Kinder’s all-purpose seasoning blend. Follow your taste buds and make it your own!
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and sauté the shrimp until cooked through (1-2 minutes per side). Set the shrimp aside…
- Toast the tortillas in a skillet or on a hot griddle. Just a couple seconds will do!
- Build your tacos by arranging your desired toppings and shrimp over each tortilla.
- In a small bowl, whisk the sauce ingredients and serve over tacos.
Easy Peasy, right?!
I usually opt for fresh shrimp in this recipe, but you can use frozen if you prefer. Just be sure to thaw before cooking.
Shrimp tacos aren’t the same without corn tortillas in my opinion, but feel free to use flour tortillas if you’d like.
Build-Your-Own taco night is a delicious theme to add to your summer meal planning.
If you haven’t already, give Shrimp Tacos a try!
Sheet Pan Nachos
Loaded nachos. Simple ingredients. Kid-friendly. What more can I say?
What You’ll Need…
- 1 lb. ground beef or turkey
- Choice of seasoning mix
- 12 oz. bag tortilla chips
- 14 oz. canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned will do)
- Shredded Mexican cheese
Ideas for Toppings: diced tomatoes, shredded romaine lettuce, sliced red onions, fresh squeezed limes, sour cream, sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, diced jalapenos
Let’s Make It!
- Preheat your oven to 400F. Cover a large baking sheet with nonstick aluminum foil.
- Season your meat with your favorite spices and cook in a skillet until browned, 5-10 minutes tops! Then drain excess fat.
- Place tortilla chips in a single layer onto the baking sheet. Top tortillas with cooked meat, pinto beans, corn and your desired amount of shredded cheese.
- Place into the oven and bake for 5 minutes.
- Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
For the seasoning mix, I like to use a combination of several spices. Some of my favorites include cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and honestly… whatever I have on hand!
You may also use a 1 ounce packet of store-bought taco seasoning mix if you prefer to go that route. You really can’t go wrong with a simple meal like this. Be creative, be flexible, and enjoy!
Sloppy Joe Sliders
Who doesn’t love an old childhood favorite every once in a while?
I love serving this meal because it brings back precious memories. But I do have to say, this version of “Sloppy Joes” is much tastier than the one I remember growing up.
In this recipe, we’re trading in the canned sauce for a sweet and zesty homemade sauce that takes little time to cook up!
What You’ll Need…
For the Beef:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb. ground beef
For the Sauce:
- 8 oz. canned tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Ideas for Toppings: slider buns, sliced pickles, shredded lettuce
Let’s Make It!
- Add ground beef and minced garlic to a skillet, then cook until browned, 5-10 minutes. Drain grease from meat.
- Pour the sauce ingredients over the cooked meat and stir.
- Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve on slider buns and enjoy with your favorite toppings!
If you get extremely lucky and have more time to spare, I highly recommend letting the meat sauce simmer just a tad bit longer. An extra 10 minutes will allow your sauce to reach peak flavor!
If you can’t spare the extra minutes, no worries!
Pair your sliders with potato chips or fresh fruit, and embrace the nostalgia!
Summing It All Up!
When it comes to quick and delicious meals, the options are endless.
The point of this article is to prompt you to think about fun and creative dinners to serve your family, without sacrificing TASTE, HEALTH, or TIME.
When using canned items in a recipe, try to aim for “organic” or “no sodium added” labels.
Remember, cooking well doesn’t mean cooking fancy… A few simple ingredients go a long way!
Homemade meals are the best, especially when they’re made EASY and with love.
Happy Cooking!
I’m Sheenia Denae, a SAHM who loves to write, cook, and create simple recipes.
You can find me on Instagram @made_to_be_marvelous or check out my website at sheeniadenae.wixsite.com/iwrite/
I’m always happy to share my thoughts, dishes, and other helpful tips with fellow mommas.
Let’s connect!
Thank you Sheenia for guest posting!
What did you think of the post?
Let us know below!
O.
Moms in May
Today’s post is a guest post by Sheenia Denae. Find her on Instagram or on her website!
We are always accepting guest posts on Leaf and Steel. You can find more information on submitting your post here.
The birds are chirping, the flowers are budding, and the wind is blowing at just the right speed! As nature prepares itself for summer, I think of all the fun things that are underway. Family vacations, backyard barbecues, and picnic lunches are just around the corner!
But there’s something else I love about May. Something that makes me look forward to this month more than all the others. This is the time of year when we’re celebrated for being moms!
I look forward to that special day where I’m pampered with gifts, showered with balloons, and recognized for my hard work and efforts toward raising my little munchkin! But as sweet as it is to be celebrated by others, I mostly look forward to the opportunities to celebrate myself.
As moms, we know that every day is Mother’s Day! That is why prioritizing our self-care is essential.
In this article, we will highlight a few ways for us to sneak in a little fun and add a little spice to our lives throughout the month of May!
Take a Class
The beautiful weather and pleasant temperatures this month brings makes it a perfect time for taking indoor or outdoor classes that spark our interest.
If you enjoy painting, cooking, or arranging flowers in your spare time, taking a class could be a great way to perfect your craft in either of those areas.
If you want to explore something totally new, on the other hand, such as music, dancing, or flying… taking a class could be a great way to change things up in your life.
Here’s a short list of just a few perks you can gain by taking a class:
- Mental relaxation
- Fun and enjoyment
- Learning a new skill
- Connecting with other great people
I’m not sure about you, but I was SOLD at “mental relaxation.” So think about it! If anything piques your interest that you haven’t had the chance to explore… now is the time!
Whatever direction you decide to take, taking a class would be a great way to carve out some quality time for yourself!
Dress to Impress
There’s an old saying that goes, “When we look good, we feel good.”
When was the last time you dressed up and felt good about yourself? I mean really good!
As moms, we tend to get so busy prioritizing everyone else’s needs that we neglect ourselves at times… especially when it comes to our wardrobes.
May presents the perfect time for us to ditch the yoga pants and sweatshirts, and pull out those gorgeous sundresses that we haven’t worn in a while.
Dressing up has been proven to increase energy and confidence, encourage creative thinking, and foster self-expression… which all sounds like self-care to me!
So for the month of May, try giving your sweatpants and t-shirts a break. They deserve it!
Explore the Great Outdoors
We can’t celebrate Moms in May without honoring the mother of all mothers… Our beautiful Mother Nature is a sight to behold!
Since we spend so much of our time indoors (cooking, cleaning, and tending to household tasks), May is a great time for us to commit to more outdoor activities.
If you’ve been looking for new ways to keep your Vitamin D levels up, here’s a list of some fun activities you can enjoy.
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Bird watching
- Outdoor photography
The way you connect with nature doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. A simple morning walk can help clear your mind, increase your energy, and make you feel better throughout your day.
Take a minute to think about the ways you’d like to explore, and let the May adventures begin!
I’m a devoted wife, girl mom, and educator turned homemaker. After teaching for over 11 years, I decided to care for my family full time. I’m now a part time freelance writer, creating blog posts and articles for businesses and individuals in my spare time. My hobbies include cooking, reading recipes, and hiking with my family.
Find me on Instagram @made_to_be_marvelous or check out my website at sheeniadenae.wixsite.com/iwrite/
Lets Connect!
Thank you Sheenia for guest posting!
What did you think of the post?
Let us know below!
O.
How to Get Over Writer’s Block
Struggling to find the right words? Blogger’s block got you down? Writer’s block can be a formidable foe, halting creativity and slowing your blogging journey. It’s a challenge every writer faces.
We’ve been there too, and we’re here to share tips and strategies that will help you conquer writer’s block. Whether you’re a seasoned blogger or just starting out, our insights are designed to reignite your passion for writing and keep your blog thriving. Join us as we explore the art of overcoming writer’s block, unlocking the words within you, and getting back to what you love most—blogging!
Read moreReflecting and Moving On: Goodbye 2021
Last year I wrote a post called “If Not Now, When?”. It’s about how the years have passed on and I haven’t changed. It’s about how I wanted to do more with this blog and the only thing standing in my way was me.
Well, I wrote 96 posts this year. I had brand deals. I made some affiliate and ad income. I feel really proud about where I’ve taken this blog. The only difference between this year and the last was that I sat down and wrote.
Read moreThe Weirdest Week of the Year
…it is, isn’t it?
The week between Christmas and New Year’s is weird.
Our decorations are still up and my pants still don’t fit.
Everyone is nervous about the virus, and rightfully so. It is burning through New York right now, and it seems everyone I know has it.
I have this fidgety energy around the New Year and all the things I want to accomplish.
Read moreWhy You Should Try Blogtober
It might be November, but I wanted to share my experience with this years Blogtober tag!
Read more