New Direction

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I’m sure you’ve noticed that I haven’t posted much of anything.  In fact, I haven’t really started this blog.  The truth is that I’m overwhelmed.  This blog can be a wonderful platform, but do I have anything worth saying?  What could I possibly write about that isn’t already on the web in one form or another?

These questions have weighed on me some and really inhibited me from just writing.  I’ve let the responsibility and uncertainty keep me from finding my niche and then growing in it.  However, the thinking time has given me some ideas.

I’ve decided I’m going to use my blog as a written account of my journey from couch potato to healthy mom.  I find myself laying about in bed or sitting on the couch fulfilling the idea of what stay-at-home moms do…nothing!  This is what my children see and what they will grow to think is normal. I don’t want my children to view me as lazy, fat and unhealthy.  While this isn’t their view of me now, it could easily BECOME their thoughts.  I want my children’s minds to be filled with memories of my playing with them, supporting them, teaching them and guiding them.

Enough is enough!  I’m going to use this blog as my platform, my way to track my changes.  If nobody reads this, thats OK…I want my children more than anything to know that THEY mattered more than what was easy and comfortable.

I’ve determined that I’m going to use healthy food and exercise to reverse my type 2 diabetes.  I’m going to use the calories in and calories out method of healthy living to lose the 95lbs extra I’m carrying around on my frame. I’m going to change my life the responsible way rather than the “quick and easy way”.  Fad diets will come and go but once you deviate from them the weight lost returns and brings some friends with it.

I’m going to make a commitment to writing a blog post at least once a week.  A check in and as I gain my confidence and hit my stride I’ll begin to add in workout ideas and tips that I’ve enjoyed, recipes that are healthy and delicious, share how I’m using my planner to help track and support my new lifestyle change.

I hope you’ll check in on me too.  If you don’t that’s OK, for now, this is more for me than anyone else, but I’d love the accountability and the support.  In turn, I’d love to support you if you need the help and want to make the same changes as well!

 

XOXO,

Elysia

Fall is in the Air

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Welcome Back to Niki Likes!

In many parts of the US people are starting to say good-bye to the summer heat and open their arms in welcome to the crisp autumn air.  Along with the change in temperature comes the gorgeous colors of the leaves changing, sweaters and boots, bonfires, pumpkin spice everything, football and of course, more time spent in the home!

As a stay-at-home wife and mother, I’m always on the hunt for things that will turn our small apartment into a home.  One of my best tricks is using scents.  Why?  Memories triggered by scent have some of the strongest emotional connections and appear more intense than other memory triggers.

Mrs. Meyer’s Limited Edition Fall Scented Cleaning Products

When I learned that Mrs. Meyer’s was selling Limited Edition Fall scents, I rushed to her website to take a peek.  I decided to take advantage of a free shipping deal and purchased the entire line of both the Mum and Apple Cider fragrances.

The shipping was fast (UPS Ground) and when I opened my package to find my products, I got more excited.  I took the time to savor the scent of the Mums.  It was a deep floral, delicate but not too sweet, but it was the Apple Cider that truly took my breath away.

I decided to use the Apple Cider to clean my stove (wish I had taken a before shot).  The crisp scent of the apples, the hint of cinnamon and the warmth evoked from memories of sipping warm apple cider on a cold fall day!  When my husband returned home from a long day at work (5 hours later), he commented on the scent and said it made him feel welcome and calm.

The next morning the scent still lingered in the air and since autumn is my favorite season I woke with a since of joy.  To say the rest of my kitchen has quickly been cleaned with the Apple Cider is an understatement.  I’ve decided to use the Mum scent in our guest bathroom to make it a welcome location to company whenever they may come!

Head on over to Mrs. Meyer’s website and place an order for your own scents today!

Welcome to Niki Likes

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Hello! My name is Elysia and I want to welcome you to NikiLikes!

If you’ve wandered over from my Instagram @niki.likes you’ve had a brief introduction to what this blog is going to be about.  I plan on sharing my likes (and dislikes), my passions, interests and basically, my life.

I am a Navy Wife and Stay-at-Home Mom to two handsome little boys.  All of my boys will make an appearance on my blog but I will not be using their real names for privacy reasons.

I’m on a personal quest for health and fitness as a Type 2 Diabetic.  I’m also into paper planners and glam planning, mixing my love of functionality with my artsy side!  Keeping and making a home for my family is one of my priorities so you’ll see a little bit of all of this on my blog.

I’m new to blogging and I hope you’ll stick around as I get my sea legs.  We can walk this path together as I try to merge my Instagram with this blog and slowly add in some vlogs on my YouTube channel.