It's Simply Lindsay

10/16/16

God Doesn’t Care About Your Last Name

Whenever I write or talk about why I kept my last name after marriage, I’m always prepared for the negative flood of comments and opinions, and in fact, I do enjoy it to an extent. I think it’s important to talk about topics with people who don’t necessarily understand or agree with you, because honestly, if we all knew everything and thought exactly the same way, how boring would life be?

As an educator and lover of learning, I embrace these discussions and am always open to hearing different points of views as I understand that my perspective is just that – mine. It’s not right, wrong, better, or worse – it’s just mine.

I often talk (or write) about a memorable quote from a favorite high school teacher: “Different doesn’t mean better or worse, it just means different.” I strive to live and remember this every day, though for some reason when the topic arises of keeping your last name in marriage, many people are unable to respond in the light of this illuminating quote.

10/9/16

Why Breastfeeding in Public Is Gross

As I’m approaching the third trimester of my second pregnancy, my mind is focused on all the joys and excitement of new baby – how they just lay there, wherever you put them, all day for you to stare at them in complete awe and amazement. How their skin is so delicate that when you touch them, you can barely tell you’re touching anything. How their little cheeks are like half-baked biscuits, all fresh and sweet and warm. It also makes me excited that I’ll have another babe to breastfeed.

I nursed Ginny for 15-months, and while it was an emotional choice leading up to the end, it was ultimately the right and best time for her, and all in all, it was surprisingly an easy transition. While I’m getting mentally and emotionally prepared to enter the wonderful world of breastfeeding again, it made me reflect on others’ views on this subject, because the way and where I feed my child is completely open for public debate, right? I was reading up on the topic and came up with my top reasons why breastfeeding in public is gross.

09/29/16

Healthy Caramel Apple Dip

Do you ever have a sweet craving, but you’re conflicted because you’re also trying to eat healthy? Welcome to the story of my life! Enter my healthy “caramel” apple dip to the rescue. I’ve been eating this little treat for years either on it’s own (literally, with a spoon), as a fruit dip, for a snack, and for dessert (tip: freeze it to the point of just chilling for an extra special delight).

It’s also a great appetizer or dessert to bring to parties because it’s so simple to make, easy to whip together last minute, and a breeze to make in bulk – plus, you’ll be the hit of the party, so that doesn’t hurt.

My favorite part about this healthy caramel apple dip is that it tastes sinful but it’s really not – the rich, creamy texture and bold flavors will leave your sweet tooth satisfied and your physique thanking you.

09/25/16

Sometimes Weird, Green Poop is Just Weird. Green. Poop.

In our wonderful world of sharing today, information is literally at our very fingertips at every moment of the day. From connecting with other people, whether neighbors or across the globe, to Googling questions or asking Siri for answers, we truly do live in a world of infinite information.

No longer do you have to look up information in only Encyclopedias (like I loved doing when I was a kid); noooo, now on your quest for parenting answers, you have 14,800,000 Google results for “baby bedtime,” 3,040,000 hits for “baby bedtime books,” and hundreds of local to international Facebook parenting groups to join, asking for advice. What could be better than this, am I right?

No, I am not right. Because just like I get overwhelmed when a restaurant menu has too many items to choose from, the age of information can be exponentially more overwhelming than my epic diner decision to choose a Reuben or waffle (which, let me tell you, if often a painstaking verdict).

09/15/16

I’m a Mom with a Clean House – And That’s Okay

“Hi, my name is Lindsay, and I’m a mom with a clean house.”

*Cue irritated glares.*

Okay, okay, hear me out.  The thing is, during my first pregnancy and once I had my daughter, I read all the posts out there in Mommy Facebook groups, I read all the new momma blog posts I could get my hands on, and there was always a resounding theme – let the housework go, let the laundry pile up, feel lucky if you shower once a week. First, let me say that if that helps you, I am totally okay with that! I am on board and support any way that any parent survives and thrives. We’re all different, and that’s okay. My favorite speech teacher used to say a quote that has always stuck with me: different doesn’t mean better or worse, it just means different.

 

09/14/16

Why I Never Dreamed of My Wedding

I hear it from young girls, from high schoolers, from women who are engaged – it’s usually the same thing that goes something like this: “I always imagined my wedding would be like…,” or some variation to this extent. Since we were little, girls envision their perfect fairy tale wedding, imagining what their dress will look like, the flowers, cake, dancing, and all the lovely glittering details of the celebration. They create mental Pinterest boards of their special day until they’re old enough to make an actual and probably secret Pinterest board to organize the pretty little details of their future nuptials.

By the time he or she pops the question, that sparkly ring secured on your finger, the last piece of the puzzle is finally in place, and you can put your long-awaited plan to action.