Happiness. Until this weekend... I think I forgot the true meaning of happiness.
I went through over a year of hating my entire life. Of wanting to die and not being able to find anything in my life that was worth living for. Nothing brought me joy. I was full of anger, negativity, and I was selfish. 
Now... I look back and have no idea how I lived like that. There is SO much to be thankful for. There is SO many things in my life that bring me SO much JOY!!!! Most of the time, I just feel like dancing. It's like I was given a second chance to live my life right... and I won't take that for granted!

I want to share a few things that have happened these past few days that have just made me so happy..

First. DANCE! 
Take hands. Stand close. Look into each others eyes. Smile. Laugh. Follow the beat. 
My husband and I took a Ballroom dance class this weekend. It was SO much fun. More fun than we've had together in a long time. Sometimes, you just have to do something new. Something that forces some connection. We both laughed so much and just had fun... being goofy. Being us. <3

Second. Nature and Fitness. 
This morning my husband and I woke up super early, had our yummy Shakeology for breakfast, went on a morning hike, and then had lunch with some good friends. Played some HORSE (Basketball), sat in the sun while our daughters played a small inflatable pool, and just relaxed. It was so wonderful. After lunch, Casey and I went home and started our new workout program together while our baby girl napped. We had so much fun and kicked that programs butt!!! You know those days when you spend all day outside, get a little sun burnt, and by the end of the day you feel exhausted but SO content? Well... it was definitely one of those days.   

How can anyone be depressed in such a BEAUTIFUL world?
How can someone be negative and angry... when there is so much joy in everything? 
I will never again let the evil in the world cloud my mind and let me forget the good things. I will remember to laugh, love, and smile during those times. To look to God for my joy... to look to God for my love. To remember that even when everyone else pushes me away and won't accept me... my God will always be waiting with open arms.

Sun kissed. Sunshine. Happiness. Beauty. Love. Joy. Blessings. 
Happiness is in the small things. The warmth of the sun. A game of Horse. Showing your daughter her first froggy. Being goofy with your significant other.
Happiness is a choice. A daily choice. And I choose it. 

Cranberry Walnut Granola

This has been a family favorite since I was little. My mom always use to make it in huge batches and we'd eat it for breakfast every morning. Now that I have a family of my own, I have continued with this tradition. This is definitely a must-have at all times in my home!! This recipe does make a huge batch, so you can cut the recipe in half if you want too. Enjoy!!! 

1 cup water
1 cup oil
1 cup honey
1 tbsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon

15 cups oatmeal (3 pounds)
12 ounces of ground flaxseeds or wheatgerm
12 ounces of coconut
10 ounces sunflower seeds
3 cups walnuts, chopped
8 ounces dried cranberries

Mix and divide all of the dried ingredients, except for the cranberries, into two 9 x 13 pans. Blend wet ingredients and mix into the dried using your hands or a big spoon. 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cook both pants of granola for 1 year, stirring every 15 minutes. Add cranberries. 

Freeze and save some for later... add some almond milk and try this delicious recipe!!!  

Garlic, zucchini, and chicken are all favorites in my home... so I decided to mix everything together into this delicious meal! My husband and my sweet 2 year old both loved it; and it helps that it's healthy!! Will definitely be making this again! 

Chicken Pasta Primavera 
(21 Day Fix approved!!)

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 zucchini, chopped 

6 mushrooms, chopped

1 small white onion, chopped

1 can organic pasta sauce

6 oz uncooked whole grain spaghetti

3 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped 

1 tbsp. Italian seasoning 

1 tsp. garlic salt

1 tbsp. olive oil

1. Cook pasta and set aside.
2. Put olive oil into a large frying pan. Add garlic and onion. Saute until onion is clear. Add zucchini and mushrooms. Cover and keep heat on med/high for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Drain. Add pasta sauce, chicken, Italian seasoning, and garlic salt. Stir everything together.
3. Portion out spaghetti onto 4 plates, and add the veggie mixture on top. Serve immediately!