Dinner #chickenpotatobake

Hello Loves,

    I made what I call "last minute, gotta give baby a bath, finish homework, wash hair, and clean the living room and bathrooms before 9". I love this dish because you can just cut it up, add what you feel, and let it go. Chicken and potato bake is all that it says. Chicken breast, chicken drums, chicken thighs, chicken whatever you have ready to cook and some potatoes, and any other vegetable you feel like that day. I made mine with chicken wings and drumsticks with potatoes and onions. I baked the mixture along with spices and a little oil for about 40 minutes at 375 degrees. I think it came out pretty good! You can add bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms, or any other vegetable you like. What is your favorite vegetable?

Weekend Getaway! #weekend

Hello Loves,

   Is everyone happy about this good weather for a hot second? I for one am very happy that it's not extremely cold and not extremely hot. Taking my daughter outside is rare when the weather is not up to par. Now that we are having this break in the weather and my brother has a birthday coming up, these are great reasons for a weekend getaway. Taking trips with a toddler can be fun or it could make you want to go on another vacation. Bringing plenty of snacks, toys, and favorite blankets are a few ways to keep them occupied long enough to not have to stop every 30 minutes when traveling. My daughter is in the process of potty training and putting a pull up on her is not an option at this stage so packing enough clothes for a month is probably going to be necessary for this trip. I am super excited and can't wait for the adventures that we get to share with Unc and Baby Love. Where would you go for a weekend getaway? How do you keep your little loves occupied when traveling?

Baby Love #love

Hello Loves,

    Let me first say that I love my family and friends but I am so in love with my daughter. God truly blessed me when she started to grow in my belly. The first few months she was a baby and not very small but small enough to hold and cuddle. I say this because after these first few months, this little lady had been on the go. She started to walk and run and do things that I believe she would not be able to do until she turned 8 or 9. She is truly amazing and I am so happy to be her mother. Now that I have said all the great things, let me tell you what this little diva did. Okay! This little girl is so smart! I have to keep learning to keep up with her. She knows how to trick me into doing things I said I would not. Like give her some more juice or let her eat more candy or let her jump in the bed until three in the am. I am by no means a push over but this little finger that has me wound so tight is getting a bit out of hand. So Loves, what are some parenting tips for your toddler? How do you not fall for the cute faces and cute little voices when you are trying to be strong and consistent?

Black History Month? #blackhistorymonth

Hello Loves,

        I have been reading articles about people having mixed feelings about Black History Month. Some say that we should not have a month dedicated to Black History because Black History is apart of American History and should be celebrated all year long. Others say that this is the month dedicated to Black History and we should take this month and teach all that will listen all about Black History in this month especially. I have mixed feelings as well about this subject because I have mixed feelings about "History" all together. I enjoy doing research and learning about things that have happened and could happen in the future but the documentation of history is a scandal, in my opinion. The scandal is all of it! Who wrote it? Who is this history benefiting? Why are we not questioning things in history? I feel now that we are all able to access the marvelous world wide web, we should all do a little research and find out the real truth of our history. I keep saying history and not Black history because I believe everyone is involved in every one's history in some way or another. We should not shade one race, culture, or religion from history, but embrace one another and the things that make us different but the same; human. Human history needs clarity is all I am trying to say and the clarity should not be monopolized by one race, culture, or religion. How do you feel about the situation?

Being Healthy #health

Hello Loves,

      Since it is still pretty close to the beginning of the year, I think I am being made aware, even more so now then later in the year, about being healthy. I have not lost all my baby weight and she will be three this year. Has anyone strayed from their "new years resolution" yet? I stop making them a while ago and decided that I should not make a resolution but make a life style change. Deciding to create new habits is not only a way to get rid of old habits but it helps to make great examples for the people around you. This year my goals are to lose weight, eat more healthy, and try new exercises, to get some more cardio into my life. So far I have influenced a diet change in my household and have tightened my legs with leg launches. This seems like a great start and now that I have begun this blog, I hope that I will influence some of you Loves to join in and share your journey as well. Oh and speaking of healthy! My hair! I have begun the transition from relaxed hair to natural hair in June of last year and it is coming along swell as well. Pictures will be coming soon Loves!  Laters~

One Other Thing Loves,

         I had to tell you about the meal I prepared tonight. I created a stuffed chicken and rice dish that included mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, spinach, mozzarella cheese, and spices. I flattened the chicken enough to roll with other ingredients and then I rolled them with the filling and used a tooth pick to hold the chicken in place. I baked the chicken at about 400 degrees for about 35 minutes then I topped the chicken with cheddar cheese and let it bake for another 20 minutes at 225 degrees. I will definitely be enjoying this meal with my loves and I hope you get the chance to try this recipe out with your loves.

                                     

Test Drive? #valentinesday #testdrive

Hello Loves,

    Let me just say that this year I didn't really feel like in the mood or spirit of Valentine's Day as it approached. I am usually really ready for this day to come because I get to spoil my man and remind him how special my imagination can be when it comes to loving him and our relationship. This year I just really got the meaning of what his words are around this time of year, every year. "Valentine's Day is every day with us babe!". I thought this was just his way of making up for the fact that he wouldn't be able to take me out Valentine's Day so the day before or a couple of days later would have to be our day to "celebrate" Valentine's Day. This is so not true now that I think about it. Especially this year, he has shown me that Valentine's Day is everyday that I get to spend with my love. My little love, my daughter, or my big love, my boyfriend, are both my Valentine's Day gift everyday I spend with them. I know it may sound a little corny but I don't mind not "celebrating" Valentine's Day on the actual day because every time he has the time, he makes the time to "celebrate" Valentine's Day. How do you feel about Valentine's Day everyday?

The Start.#start

Welcome to my world!

  This is my very first post on my very first blog. I am so excited to start this journey and take it as far as I can imagine and I have a pretty vivid imagination, so I think this will be a fabulous ride for me and whomever wishes to join in. I have an opinion about most everything and will tell or share it to anyone that will pay attention and be responsive. F.L.L. is going to be the name of my blog and before I go into what F.L.L. is all about I guess I should finish telling my story. I am a mother of a very curious 2 year old diva and I hope to have at least one more before I throw in the towel in that department. I am in love with my best friend and father of my daughter and hope to take our relationship to another level in the near future. My name is CiCi and I am a mature yet silly, educated yet sarcastic woman that enjoys food, love, and life. F.L.L. is just that. Food Love and Life. I am by no means a professional and all advice and information that I share through this blog will just be my personal opinion and should not be taken as a diagnosis, or expert advice. I want to encourage anyone that has anything to share to contact me through my email or comment on whatever moves you. Food, love and life can lead to some pretty interesting conversation starters and with your help we can share, learn, vent, and enjoy all that food, love, and life can offer!