2 Cats and Chloe

Healthy Food, Great Views and Creative Living!

Whole30, Paleo Tailgating with Coleman

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Sponsored Post: This post is sponsored by Coleman but the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. #TailgateWithColeman

Summer is winding down. My heart just shed a tear. Like a huge, crocodile tear. (Guys, I live 30 minutes from the beach and I didn’t make it to the ocean ONE.SINGLE.TIME this summer. Life is so different these days.)

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That being said, fall is my season. Our season. I love summer but fall is for camping, grilling and being outside. This is even more true now that I am living the life as special-needs-mom (every time I type it or say it, it still makes me step back and go ‘whoa’). Lorelei’s mitochondrial disease makes it a bit tougher for us to fly by the seat of our pants. Everything takes planning. And then canceling of those plans. Then being open minded about the whatever happens-happens kind of plans.

I cannot wait for Fall. I used to love it - but now I long for it. The season when the temps crisp and cool and my child can go outside! We don’t have to worry about the heat. We have one less component to plan (or worry about). We can feel a tad bit more normal… until it gets too cold. But that’s another story.

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Today I am sharing my go-to fall, grilling, tailgating, festive, whole30, paleo recipe. You can’t beat Kabobs these days (unless you realllly need to keep things simple in which case just grab some whole30 compliant, paleo spicy chicken sausage from Trader Joes and call it a day!) We are “tailgating” and kicking off the season with our essentials from Coleman (and our new camper)! Gotta love an excuse to set up your camper and gear in the backyard right?!

You can shop the entire Coleman collection at Walmart.com (or in-store) here!

I purchased my Coleman Roadtrip LXE grill online at Walmart.com. Walmart makes shipping easy for those of use who don’t get out much - or pick up even easier for those who need an excuse to get out!

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Whole30 Kabobs on the grill are easy to pack ahead of time (if you’re traveling or tailgating away from home) and allows you to be creative. Grab the bites you like best (chicken, beef, veggies or even fruit!) stick them on a skewer, pop them in your Coleman cooler and go. When you get to your tailgating site or your campground, use your Coleman grill (or the open fire) and cook up your dinner!

Whole30 Kabobs
 
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Great for tailgating or backyard grilling!
Author:
Ingredients
  • Protein of choice (we use chicken, steak or shrimp)
  • Veggies of choice (peppers and onions are a must, but consider mushrooms and zucchini too!)
  • Fruit of choice (loveeee me some pineapple and tomatoes!)
  • Marinade of choice (Tessamae's BBQ or a simple coconut aminos, garlic, salt and pepper combo)
Instructions
  1. Soak wooden skewers in water for a couple of hours before grilling so they do not catch on fire.
  2. Cut up your proteins, veggies and fruit into smaller, bite-sized pieces and put in individual piles or bowls.
  3. Let your family members 'build their own' skewers with their favorite paleo 'toppings'!
  4. Grill on medium heat until meat is cooked to desire doneness.
  5. Enjoy!

Life Hack for local folks: Harris Teeter (one of our local grocery store) sells kabobs pre-made and decently priced. They make life so much easier when you need a quick dinner full of veggies and protein but you don’t really feel like cooking. (Or when you’re on your way to tailgate or camp!) Yes, they have some with a marinade - which truth be told, I haven’t checked to see if it’s compliant, but I assume it’s not. So buy them “naked” and add your own seasonings and marinades. (Please try ordering “Naked Kabobs” from your butcher and tell me what happens! LOL!)

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Pair these whole30, paleo kabobs with my tomato and cucumber side dish, and a salad mason couple of mason jars and you’re good to go! (Wine for those who are NOT on a whole30…) Happy camping y’all!

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…Tis the Season!

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*Parts of this post were either gifted or donated to my family, but the opinions are all my own.*

I say it on a daily basis, but where in the world has the year gone?? Guys, it is December! D-E-C-E-M-B-E-R! So not only is my to-do list ridiculously long just because of life… but now I have to add the holiday festivities and Christmas must-dos… This mama is tired.

I’ve been scurrying around my house like a crazy person. It is our first holiday in the new house. Old Suz would have happily pulled out box after box of holiday decor (because I have way too much of it) and hunted through the house for the perfect place to put each piece. Current Suz is tired, emotionally drained and has thought about possibly skipping the holidays completely.

For some reason this upcoming holiday is hard. I keep looking at my TimeHop app and thinking about where I was a year ago verse now. *Sigh* I just have to keep trusting God and moving ahead. That being said, I have forced myself to take a beat. Step back and be thankful. Lorelei is healthy (relatively) right now. And since we aren’t necessarily promised future Christmases with her, while all I really want to do is take one really, really long nap - I’m decorating. I’m organizing. I’m trying to catch up. I’m wrapping presents (that I purchase online because who has time to shop in a store anymore?!) I’m attempting to make memories and create moments as magical as possible for Lorelei, but more for me, Michael and my friends and family.

I’m forcing myself to remember that traditions are important. New traditions and new mindsets must be made. Old traditions need to be appreciated, embraced and adapted when possible. We’ve gone tree hunting. We’ve hung stockings. Our tree will be decorated tomorrow. We have started watching movies and addressing Christmas cards. We also met the real Santa!

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We were blessed to have the opportunity to visit with Santa last month in a germ free setting! Before now, I never really thought about how kids like Lorelei couldn’t go to the traditional “Mall Santa” for pictures. Let’s be real y’all, they are germy and snotty! Not a place for a medically fragile kiddo! I was beyond thrilled when friend and local photographer, Melody Gillikin, opened her house up to us (and many other kids) to meet Santa and have professional pictures taken.

Lorelei was in absolute awe of Santa. She immediately stuck her tongue out to greet him like she does to Olivia, our border collie. It was a lovely morning and lead to outstanding photographs to use on our holiday cards. More of her Santa pictures will be shared as we get closer to Christmas… but for now, you just get my Christmas card teasers.

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Does it get much more magical than this image? The real Santa. A beautiful setting. The look of awe, curiosity and excitement from a little girl who’s biggest, lifelong wish is for a cure. At the end of our session, I looked up and even Santa himself was crying. So when I saw these “Merry and Bright Wishes” card option on Tiny Prints, with a touch of gold shimmer, I knew it would be the perfect fit for my family Christmas card this year.

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Personalizing and creating your cards with Tiny Prints is a cinch! I loved that I could select things like special edges and even pre-addressed envelopes! Because I don’t have my act together enough to have all of my addresses in one spreadsheet, I went ahead and just had them personalize the envelopes with our return address on the back and a pretty “Please Deliver To” printed on the front.

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So over this coming weekend, I am going to take some time while Lorelei naps to sit down and address our cards. Out of all the years, these may be my favorite because of the very special picture on the front.

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And just like that, this grinch’s heart grew three sizes… I’m trying y’all. I’m trying. Merry Almost-Christmas!

*Additional thanks to Melody Gillikin Photography for fitting us in and gifting us this extra special Santa session!*
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Best Friends + Stanley Gear

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This post has been sponsored by Stanley-PMI. I did receive these products to try for myself, but the content and opinions are all my own.

It has been a long, rough nine months. A time where I have seen the good, bad and ugly in myself and the people around me. A handful of months that have made me so thankful for the friends who have stood beside me while I scramble to figure out the meaning of my life and our family’s current events. I am also quite thankful for the friends who have been patient with me when I haven’t been there for them during their dark days.

This past weekend, I was reunited with one of my long lost besties. We go way, way back. Some of you may know her as the gal behind Bless Her Heart Y’all. But I know her as the girl who my mom forced me to be friends with in the beginning, the girl who helped me mastered the yearbook game, the one who helped bring me out of my shell in high school, the one who I have shared more belly-laughs with than most. To say we have both had a rough year is an absolute understatement. But when you think of awesome things to share with your bestie - believe it or not, celiac disease/gluten intolerance and depression are right up there with terrible flavored lip smackers lip balm and the 9th grade secrets of who you plan to marry. What I’m trying to say, is if you’re going to be sad - it’s great to be sad with someone who gets it. Someone who let’s you just be. Someone who doesn’t try to “fix everything”.

This past weekend was very needed and much over due.

Even before Jess arrived, we decided to spend the entire weekend drinking, laughing, crying and eating an excessive amount of gluten free bundt cake. We spent time walking around the neighborhood, reminiscing the time we shot potatoes across the Mississippi River and of course working on upping her “baby snuggles” quota. She even made Lorelei laugh for the very first time. (Read: This girl is not only one of my favorites, but one of Lorelei’s too!)

The thing about friends like this is, even when you’re apart for a long time and rarely talk - it’s just wonderful when you can pick right back up where you left off. While we didn’t neeeeed to take the party with us everywhere we went this past weekend - we decided it was fitting. Shortly after she arrived, we decided therapeutic tears, laughter and wine would be all we were going to do. And it was. That being said, thank goodness I am done breast feeding because I think we may have sipped more wine (and then Jack Daniels) in three days than I have in a year and a half. And it was wonderful.

Thanks to Stanley Gear - we were able to keep our cider hot, Jack safe and wine available when we actually left the house and explored the walking paths in my new neighborhood. I have been so busy being a new mom of a special needs baby that I haven’t had as much time to explore as I would’ve liked… this was a great excuse to get out with a friend and make some memories!


While many of our conversations should probably not be shared publicly at this time - I can report that this was a much needed weekend for both of us. And Lorelei too, with her adorable giggles.

Many thanks to Stanley Gear for sponsoring this post and for providing me with Mountain Switchback, Adventure Happy Hour System, Classic Stein, Classic 1.1qt Vacuum Bottle, and the ever famous and always handy Classic Flask. I have always been a huge fan of Stanley products, especially for camping and exploring this time of the year. You can learn more at www.Stanley-PMI.com.

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What I’m Loving Wednesday: Holiday Office Box + Sudio Review

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One of my favorite blog-friends-turned-real-life-friends, Heather, has a series she does called What I’m Loving Wednesday. To be quite frank, I adore these posts. I usually always learn about a new product, restaurant or idea that I must have or must do. (It also helps you get to know the blogger, and to realize that you have a trillion things in common with her…)

So I decided that for the month of December, I would give this “What I’m Loving Wednesday” concept a try! Because we are all looking for hot, shiny new ideas when it comes to making life easier and stuffing our stockings this time of year right?

As most of you know, my life is well beyond crazy these days. As a wedding planner, national marketing coordinator and blogger, I’m always on the go. Add to the situation that I’m six months pregnant and currently homeless. Basically - my life is consistently inconsistent. So to help with juggling my “work essentials” and my “holiday must-haves” I decided to revert back to my elementary school, pencil box days.

2 cats & chloe: Glam and Glittery Office Supplies Box

Yup, you read that right. A box. Whenever I sat down at a coffee shop, a client appointment, my grandmother’s couch or the picnic table at the river - I could never find my essentials in the bottom of my bag. Turns out a simple, yet pretty box, was just the solution I needed.

So what is currently in my box? Essentials that are helping me through the rest of this holiday season!

The randoms: gift tags, christmas ornaments and a shiny gold stapler. Because you never know when you are going to have to throw together a centerpiece, wrap a gift or staple together a 4 page wedding timeline…

2 cats & chloe: Stocking Stuffers: Sudio Headphones!

Thank you notes and stamps are crucial this time of year as well. (I am seriously struggling to keep up with my thank you notes! So many friends have sent thoughtful holiday and baby gifts already! I swear I will be all caught up by the end of this week!)

2 cats & chloe: Office Box Essentials: Headphones, Stamps, Planner, Glitter

The essentials: My planner, my iPhone, an iPhone charger and my Sudio Headphones. Yes, I am one of those old school-new school people who keeps everything written in my planner AND on my iPhone. Switching to “2016” on your iCal just isn’t quite as exciting as purchasing a new planner… #JustSayin.

Every time I relocate my workspace (whether it is for work or to wrap presents) you better believe that I am either talking to a client or jamming to my holiday tunes. The chic, white and rose gold Sudio Vasa Headphones are not only stylish but they have great sound quality. When I first got this new addition to my “office box” I called up my mom, my husband and my boss to make sure they could hear me and I could hear them. It was loud and clear on both ends!

2 cats & chloe: Sudio Vasa Headphones

I have been known to be a snob when it comes to headphones so there are a couple of things I definitely want to point out… The fact that my Sudio Vasa headphones have flat cords means that they don’t get knotted up when in my box (or in their provided leather case). There is a 3-button remote and mic, making these easy to use when working, driving and wrapping gifts. Additionally, the ear buds are legit. They stay in your ears without slipping.

Also included in the package is a gold clip to help keep the buds and mic in place (which I have found great, but not 100% necessary, as my clients have been able to hear me clearly without the mic clipped to the top of my shirt) and replacement ear bud covers. The replacement bud covers excited me because who really likes to share ear buds with other people?? Not this girl. If someone else needs to borrow my Sudio Vasa’s, I can switch out the ear buds and not worry about co-mingling ear wax!

Wearing my Sudio Vasa headphones not only allows me to multi-task like a champ, with both hands free, but they also help keep me organized while preventing Nana from listening in on my normal speaker phone calls. (No one said that living with your 91 year old grandmother would be easy…)

2 cats & chloe: Headphones - Swedish Sudio Vasa

In addition to loving my new box, my shiny and random “must-have” items and my new Sudio Vasa Headphones, I am loving the fact that Sudio is offering my 2 cats & chloe readers 15% off with the Sudio Promo Code: 2catsandchloe If you’re in need of a last minute stocking stuff or Christmas gift - I highly recommend you jump on this deal immediately!

2 cats & chloe: Sudio Vasa Review

So what do you think? Have I gone off the deep end by going back to my “pencil box” days? Go ahead and judge me all you want, but if it helps me stay organized, I’m game! What am I missing in my box?

Many thanks to Sudio for gifting me my new Vasa Headphones! While these were given to me in return for this post, my review and thoughts are all my own!

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Accessories are Key These Days: Firmoo Glasses that I Love!

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Someone recently asked me what I miss most now that I am pregnant. It’s not news to anyone that we ladies have to give up a lot when we are with child. My initial thought was immediately red wine. Followed by missing that overall “healthy” feeling. Then, due to spontaneous cravings, both were trumped with “Oh my god, it’s totally real sushi and rare tuna!”

The next morning I was getting dressed and I realized that the thing I think I miss the most now that I am pregnant, is fitting into all of my cute, fall clothes. On top of the fact that you are no longer in control of your body and you’re now larger than you’ve ever been in your entire life - it is even more difficult to feel confident when you now have a very limited wardrobe (when you’re not used to that at all). I’m currently rocking one pair of jeans and a couple pairs of leggings - along with several solid shirts, a few tanks and my go-to cardigan. Thank goodness I work from home and it really doesn’t matter what I look like most days! I don’t know how y’all do it! An entire new wardrobe for a mere nine, long months is not in our budget!

But I’ve quickly learned - it’s okay to have a few go-to solid pieces of clothing. The trick is to dress up the basic tee and cardigan with accessories. Accessories like my new pair of spectacles from Firmoo.com.

2 cats & chloe: dress up your baby bump with accessories

I have been trying to add a touch of “functional-glam” to all of my current outfits. You cannot really tell in these pictures (because my real camera is broken and because the rain wouldn’t let up enough for us to leave the front porch…) but this shirt has gold, glitter sparkles in it. Paired with a rose gold and coral necklace, gold earrings, a glitter watch and glasses that look like I’m ready to work - but have beautiful gold arms. Wait - are the sides of lenses called arms??

2 cats & chloe: firmoo lenses 2 cats & chloe: gold accessory firmoo glasses 2 cats & chloe: glasses and accessories while pregnant

Whether you’re pregnant or not, if you’re looking for new glasses (to make you less blind or simply as a fashion accessory) I highly recommend Firmoo.com. This is my third or fourth pair of lenses from Firmoo. Why so many?? It’s not because they have broken… they are all still in great condition and used all the time! It is because they are inexpensive enough that I can have a few prescription pairs, not break the bank and then coordinate them appropriately with outfits.

I have the hubby believing that these glasses are merely for vision. But we all know, every little accessory counts when it comes to a completing an outfit!

2 cats & chloe: inexpensive quality glasses online

The glasses I am wearing in this post are style number DBSN68048. Like I said, I really love this pair because it has the funky, nerdy look from the front with the touch of gold fanciness on the side.

Wanna learn more? You can try your own pair of Firmoo Glasses from their website! I also recommend that you check out their new arrivals page too! New frames are added daily! Also, for any 2 cats & chloe readers who haven’t tried firmoo yet, you can head over to this page for 15% off frames site wide!

And because no blog post is really complete without a selfie, photobombed by a border collie…

2 cats & chloe: firmoo review

What accessory do you wear the most? What was your trick to accessorizing while pregnant?

Many thanks to Firmoo.com for giving me these new glasses. While they did send me new specs to review, the feelings I expressed about their company and this product were all my own.

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Full Disclosure: All content and pictures on this blog belong to Susan Geoghegan and the 2 cats & chloe site, unless otherwise stated. If you pin a picture, please give credit. Some links on this site may contain affiliate links. Clicking on these links helps support this blog. A "c/o" in front of a product represents that that product was either gifted to me in exchange for the post or I was compensated by said company for my time. However, all posts are my own thoughts, opinions and reviews! Thanks for your support!