"Healthy" Avocado Smoothie

My son's favorite food is avocado.  He has loved them since the first moments that he was shoving fistfuls of food in his mouth.  However, as soon as he turned 15 months, he started going through the phase of not wanting certain foods… I believe the common term is "food strike."  All of his favorite foods, avocados included, were being thrown overboard with a sassy little "uh-oh" following.  Frustrating!  

Avocados have so many benefits.  They are packed with nutrients and add healthy fat to your diet.  As a growing little man, he needs healthy fats for proper development.  I started looking into different ways to adding avocado to a smoothie.  I figured it would be the same way that I sneak spinach into his smoothies!  Which, by the way, is delicious, but I digress… 

Many recipes I looked up had cool whip listed as an ingredient.  And while this sounds amazing, I didn't like the idea of giving kiddo so much sugar in order to get him to eat.

Then I came across a fantastic idea off of Pinterest using almond milk and yogurt!  We tried it out and made a few changes to suit our tastes.  My son was signing "more, please" very enthusiastically!  He loves it.  If a picky 16 month old loves it, you know its worth a shot.  

This was very easy to make & we have been making them every day for about a week now for a mid-morning snack.  

The recipe is enough for one adult and one toddler serving.  

                                                             Little Man Approved! 

Monthly Photo Challenge-- January!

Our little man is already two months old!  He has changed so much in such a short amount of time.  I've decided to challenge myself to a monthly photo challenge where I take a current picture of him and list his likes & dislikes.  I am looking forward to seeing how he changes month by month.

Job Hunting in the Civilian World

This is a wonderful article written by a guest poster: Emma.  She puts some myths to rest about military members finding jobs as they transition into the civilian world.  It is a very informative piece.  Be sure to check out her blog (http://smileasithappens.blogspot.com/).

Finding a Job in the Civilian World

If you’re transitioning from military life to the civilian world, you may be wondering if a job search is as difficult as it sounds. While it is true that job growth is in a slump and the American economy is struggling, there are some significant myths that are keeping military men and women from finding their dream job in the civilian world.  Instead, let’s take a look at some of these myths, and understand the truth behind them….

Myth #1: I don’t need to ask for help during my job search.

Truth: Your friends can help by giving you job leads, but they can’t help if they don’t know that you’re looking for a job. Consider sending an email to the people you know, advising them what type of job you’re looking for, or what type of company you’d like to work for. If they know of a job opening at their company, or if they know someone who knows someone, this can give you an edge. Making people aware that you’re looking for a job can also help you with the positive professional (and sometimes personal) references you’ll need before receiving a job offer. Plus, there are many companies who are partnering with JIBE, a mobile recruiting company that provides a platform to allow you to quickly ask for a job referral right through your social media accounts. It’s never been easier to get in touch with contacts you have in different businesses!

Myth #2: Working for a company with a set chain-of-command is my only option.

Truth: Your experience working with a structured chain-of-command – and following the orders of your superior – is a valuable skill that you can mention in your interviews. However, working for someone else isn’t your only option. If you can identify a need that is not being met, or that you can do better, consider starting your own business. Before you invest any money, be sure your business plan is strong and that you’ve researched the competition. Additionally, the Small Business Administration has recently launched a program that provides entrepreneurial classes for veterans who are interested in starting their own businesses. If you have an idea, don’t be afraid to chase it down.

Myth #3: I can’t ask questions at an interview. That’s not my place.

Truth: Asking questions, for you as the potential employee, is very important. From the employer’s perspective, it shows that you’re prepared, that you’ve researched the company, and that you’re genuinely interested in the position. Second – and just as important – it can show you aspects of the job that the interviewer hasn’t told you about or unpleasant parts of the position that they wouldn’t disclose otherwise. Any interview isn’t just about a company deciding to hire you, but also for you to learn more about if you would take the job or not.

Myth #4: I simply can’t find a civilian job. I’ve spent my whole career in the military.

Truth: Strategize to find a civilian job. List all your skills to think as a civilian job-seeker would: do you speak a foreign language? Do you understand the Hazmat chemical codes on various items? Are you trained in First Aid and CPR? Can you repair cars or other mechanical equipment? What computer skills do you have? You may underestimate these abilities but not every civilian can do these things. Look for positions that go with those skills. Don’t forget about job sites such as Recruit Military to help you along the way.

Emma is a mid 20-something year old with a passion for life, love, fitness, and helping others. She loves to be active and get involved in as many sport and community activities as possible. Emma is currently studying to become a Career & Life Coach, and loves to network with people from around the world! Check out Emma’s blog at http://smileasithappens.blogspot.com/! 

Simple Baby Room Curtains

My idea to sew curtains for the baby's room hit me as I was browsing different baby boutiques and seeing the prices on very simple curtains. With the little man coming in November, we have been trying to find different ways to save money... so I thought I would give this a go!

I went to a little art store on Daenner Kaserne in Kaiserslautern.  They had quite a few options, but I chose a simple teal blue color to go with some artwork that we had bought off of Etsy last week.  I bought 1 and 1/2 yards for under $10!  What a steal.  :)

Now, I have never sewn curtains before so the task was a little daunting at first.  I measured the length of the window (31") and added roughly half the amount of the length (15") for a total of  46" across (roughly 1 and 1/2 yards). For the height of the curtain, I measured the length I needed for the window and added two inches.  

Using an iron, I folded each side and the bottom of the curtains in half an inch.  For the top of the curtain, I folded in two inches.  I sewed around the entire rectangle, leaving 1" gaps at the top for the curtain rod to fit through.  

Of course it's not perfect, but it really does brighten up the room and only took one hour to complete the task!

DIY: Vase Filler Project!

While we were in Spain last May, I asked my husband to help me gather smooth pieces of glass as we walked along the beach.  The end result?  Vase filler from the beach of Lloret del Mar!

We have these candle holders in the middle of the living room as a reminder of the fun and carefree times that we've had so far in Europe!  I can't wait for our next vacation!  Hmm... where to next?  

4th of July!

Happy 4th of July from the Vanscoy Family!  We had a wonderful weekend full of BBQ's, festivals, a country concert (Nicole Frechette, look her up, she has an amazing voice http://www.nicolefrechette.com), and spent a day at the Lake.  I hope you all had a fun-filled weekend as well!  We were so blessed that husband had four days off.

 Grandma Willett's famous cheesecake was a huge hit at a 4th of July BBQ

At Lake Bostalsee, Germany.  22weeks with Baby Boy <3

Our First Dance

We were married on 20 May 2011.  I remember our first dance together so clearly.  Once the song started, we were finally able to relax after all of the stress of wedding planning.  Everyone was watching us, but it was like we didn't even notice.  We sang the entire song as we danced, holding each other tightly as man & wife.

In honor of this wonderful memory, I decided to make this after seeing a similar post on Pinterest (I'm not sure where exactly, so I don't know who to credit!)!  I loved the idea of having our wedding song framed!

"It's Your Love"- Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

I had my husband print off the lyrics to the song we had our first dance to at our wedding (I still haven't gotten our printer set up at home yet).  I used various scrapbooking materials that I had laying around and a beautiful frame that I had picked up at Michaels a few years ago.  Super easy project, and fun to do!