Fiercely Alia

I have been asked several times about this pregnancy. And in the beginning before we even announced publicly it was very hard for me to share, talk about or think about. My first trimester was awful. Not only the physical nausea, but the emotional pain of navigating through a really hard and tragic miscarriage just 2 months prior to this conception.

During the process I would write to myself on my phone. It was difficult to share with friends or even family because as much as its nice to hear “don’t worry, it will be ok” “if you do miscarry, know that its still ok” etc. I just wanted to get out my negative or fearful thoughts without a response. Grief or fear manifests itself in very different and sometimes unexplainable ways. For me, it was dark. I was in a dark place for a few weeks. Laying in bed feeling sick, when I wasn’t feeling sick it was pure anxiety that I was miscarrying. Then then frustration of feeling this way when I should have been happy. Its a mess. And I know thousands of women go through this, think this, feel this and sharing helps the 1 in 4 women out there justify their dark thoughts, those horrific feelings and know they are never alone.

Here are the saved notes:

 

This note can be very controversial, it shows how dark I was. How angry and selfish I was feeling at the time over things that had nothing to do with my situation but I was so quick to project my real anger onto something else. I know this is easily relate-able as wrong as I was in the situation.

As I read these back I remember every single feeling. I remember showing up for things I didnt want to. Even showing up in the morning for my kids. Each dr appointment was a step closer to healing the anxiety, but I still get bitter. I still have some questions for God. I still wonder why I had to go through 3 bloody and horrific miscarriages. I then feel guilt for having kids when others out there have gone through worse and have no babies. This is my story though. I do not share for the compliments or condolences. I share because I know there is not enough out there for those who are suffering miscarriages. I know the more we share our stories, the more its something that feels less like a shameful situation we maybe can heal better, faster and stronger.

I am 1 in 4 and that group of women is bigger than we understand, and we can be strengths to those who will sadly one day join our group, have joined and feel isolated, or want to help those that are experiencing this loss.

 

Spaghetti Sauce, its about as basic as milk in my household and I would confidently say in most American homes.

I grew up coming home from school with two huge pots of sauce that had been cooking since the early morning on the stove. My mother would make my Grandmas Spaghetti sauce recipe that came from a few generations on my fathers Italian side.

My great grandpa from Sicily  is the one who taught and gave my grandma the recipe. His recipe called for several types of meats that required to be cooked all day!

There was nothing like coming home from school, getting out a slice of  white bread and dipping it into the bubbling sauce! SOO good!

Years later, my Aunt has adjusted the recipe to not only be more convenient to make but taste just as good if not better (I think better)

Every time I make this sauce I gift as much to neighbors as I can. It makes so much and is so delicious to eat fresh. I can barely bring myself to eat canned sauce anymore. Another great benefit is this stuff freezes well! So you can make it, jar it, freeze it, gift it, do whatever you want! Its affordable and so easy to make!!

Specific Notes to make, this recipe was taught to me with NO measurements. I have through trial and error figured out approximate measurements of the spices. This is all relative as well as to how you like it. Some people love basil, and some don’t. Others like to have real onions in their sauce (I personally think its an abomination) My aunt has made this so much she uses her hands to measure out the spices. I do as well, but have figured out the hand to TBSP ratio!

You can add more or less of whatever you’d like with the spices. This is not an exact science for the recipe. That’s why its important to always taste it!

SAUCE:

3 28oz cans of Tomato Puree ( I love the Cento brand and found it the most rich tasting)

3 28oz cans of Crushed Tomatoes ( my best sauce was made with SAN MARZANO tomatoes from Cento, I will buy the peeled tomatoes and then crush them myself when Im feeling fancy) (The taste is A++)

2-4lbs of ground Italian Sausage ** I use 2lbs of SWEET Italian, and 1-2lbs of mild/medium sausage- This ratio allows for sweet and mild spices.

SPICES NEEDED: ALL DRIED

1-2 tbsp Dried Basil *Pour the spice in your hand and grind your hands together to ground the spice up even more to make it fine

1 TSP Onion Powder

1 TBSP Garlic Powder (not salt)

1 TSP Parsley

1 TSP Ground Oregano

1 TBSP Dried Oregano

1/2 TSP Crushed Red Pepper

1/2 TSP Greek Seasoning

Salt & Pepper to taste. I do about 1/4 tsp each

1 TBSP White Sugar

3 Bay Leaves

1/4 Red Wine

Cook the sausage until browned and fully cooked. I strain the grease and set aside. ( I cook the meat in 1-2lb increments.

Open all the cans( I didn’t have an electric can opener until a month ago and this was the HARDEST part for me)

Place the meat, sauce in a LARGE pot. Then add spices. Before you add the red wine, TASTE the sauce. Close your eyes and think about what it tastes like. Too sweet? Add more garlic or onion, can’t taste the basil, add more. Needs salt, add it! Also note that the sweet flavors from the meat and the red wine really simmer and come out in a few hours, so don’t go crazy!

Cook on LOW for about 3hours or more. Stir often, use a lid if it starts to bubble. But the key is to have it cook on the lowest possible setting for a few hours.

CRUSTINIS!!

My favorite thing to eat with spaghetti is garlic bread! These little guys are buttery, salty, cheesy, and perfect for any Italian dish.

French Bread Baguette

Cut into 1/4 inch slices

1/2 cup softened butter

3 tsp garlic salt

1-2 tsp REAL grated parmesan

Mix the butter, salt and cheese together to make a yummy paste.

Coat each piece of bread generously!!

Broil on high for about 2 mins. WATCH Closely. My oven takes 2-3 mins, my moms oven takes 4 mins.. just cook until golden and crispy. NOT brown!

ENJOY before your hubby and kids gobble them up!

Greeting cards, you always have a need for them. I always felt guilty throwing them away. I have a lot of cards saved in a box actually. Throughout the years, cards from my parents, siblings, friends and Nick. They are an essential part of a gift or a very sweet way to tell someone you love them or thinking about them.

Say More Cards are unique cards that offer you the ability to…well Say more!

Each card has a unique QR code that allows you to upload a personalized video so that you can get double the experience when opening a traditional card. I love the endless opportunities that come with Say More Cards.

Think about families who have loved ones serving in the military, a grandparent that lives across the country, or when you’re traveling and receive a card with a video attached that can warm your heart.

This holiday season is the perfect way to connect with others in more than just a text or social media.

Think about how lovely it is to receive a card or letter amongst the bills and spam you get in the mail box. I personally love it. There is something so nice and nostalgic about receiving actual snail mail. After you read your card, you can then scan the unique code and watch a video! It’s like two gifts in one!

Just in the name, it gives you the opportunity to say more. To either give or receive both the thoughtfulness and memory to those you care about.  I love writing thank you notes, and using Say More Cards has allowed me to really convey the thanks I want to give in the cards. Its like I was able to step it up a notch in the Thank you!

What ways do you see yourself using these cards?

See the video below to understand more how it works!

Video produced by Social Hitch Marketing 

 

I think its funny that as things get more and more technologically advanced, I find myself reverting back to what seems like ancient ways, like instead of using my phone calendar I have one on my fridge.

If I don’t see it and write it down I seem to forget it. I also, rely on my phone for so much that I tire of always looking at my phone, clearing notifications and what not. I have been using planners for what seems like a lifetime. I love them.

My husband and I seem like ships passing in the night, as one door opens as someone comes home, then same is closing as the other leaves. We have SO much going on that if I don’t stay organized we forget EVERYTHING.

When using a Life Planner from Erin Condren, I can organize all the things running around in my head.

I plan all my meals, appointments and my to do list all in one spot, on each page.

I love the sticker options, the colorful pens, it really does brighten my day.

I feel like when I use the planner, its more like a mini journal. I can write things that happened each night as I prepare for the next day. It allows me to take the time needed for me to decompress and feel more confident about the next day and what I should/could be doing.

Do you feel like you struggle with staying on top of your “lists?” There are so many great options with Erin Condren that its not a one size fits all. Its ALL sizes fit all! The planner options fit every single lifestyle.

See my favorites below!

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This post is sponsored by 1-800 Contacts but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

If you’re an active reader you’ll see my pervious post was all about glasses. I’m all about cute glasses, but on a daily basis I wear contacts.

I have since i was 15! Truth be told, my eyesight is HORRIBLE.

Contacts make life easier, no dirty lenses, no sliding off my greasy nose, no fuss.

But what is a fuss, is CONSTANTLY going to the eye Dr. every year.

I have honestly been a loyal customer of 1-800 Contacts since 2014. The ease of being able to upload my prescription and ordering contacts whenever I need has been a life saver. No more waiting for the Dr. office to have my specific contacts in stock. Super fast shipping, and my favorite, the automatic renewal so that you never run out! EVER!

Most recently my prescription expired and I was able to renew my prescription online!! How amazing is that?! As a young mom of two little toddlers making appointments for me, leaving the house, doing that whole thing is very frustrating.

Because 1-800 Contacts already had my previous prescription, they were able to gage from the simple test you do online and the fact that my prescription hasn’t changed in over 6 years, my prescription was renewed- NO Dr fee. NO visit fee. Tt was all FREE! I ordered my much needed contacts that day, got them in 3 days! Hallelujah! Once your exam is complete and the doctor has renewed your prescription you can order contacts in only a few click/taps!

If you are wondering, Alia how much more is the cost for the convenience?  It’s not. With the extra money and time I saved, I got my self some new shoes!

I was actually paying more to get them even at places like Costco and my Eye Doctors office. Things like contacts is not on your list of priorities until you need them.

1-800 Contacts takes all the hassles and messes away. They do the busy work for you.

Do yourself a favor and sign up today, upload your prescription, even if its expired. Take their test and get your new contacts today. Not only are they efficient and fast, they have almost EVERY single brand on the market, They can even refer you to better brands to help with your process if you’re unhappy with your current contacts.

It has helped improve my quality of life. Being able to see and play with my kids. Not ever worrying about the life of my contacts or hassles of eye appointments. 1-800 Contacts is my favorite friend!

 

I cannot speak enough good things about 1-800 contacts. I love when I get to share things that I truly love and have loved that work!

 

Have you ever purchased contacts online? Let me know how your experience with 1-800 Contacts is!

 

I am not exaggerating when I say, I have the hardest time finding good glasses to fit my face.

I have a small head. terrible eyesight and specific taste. My first pair of glasses came from Costco Wholesale, when it used to be called Price Club. What makes this story so sad though is that the frames were probably the cheapest plastic and they were too big for my face and the lenses were so big that the glass was about 2 inches thick. We couldn’t afford high index lenses at the time.

So fast forward 15 years and now buying frames is a whole lot easier, and better! Zenni Optical is an online frame store where you can virtually try on all their frames. Order easily and quickly!

You have to have your prescription from an actual eye doctor in order to get the proper lenses. Once you decide on the frames you like, with a few quick entries you input your info, shipping, pay and wa-la!

I don’t think I’ll ever step foot into a frame shop again. No more greasy frames from everyone trying them on. Also, the selection is new! No more sifting through old frames and dealing with sales people (my least favorite part)

If you are in the market for some new eye ware do yourself a favor and go to www.zennioptical.com and just “try” on a few pairs. The price you ask…..AFFORDABLE. I could get 2-3 pairs for the price I paid for ONE at my eye dr. office.

Check out my new specs! I love them!!

Thank you Zenni Optical for sponsoring this post. All opinions are 100% mine and truthful