The Teacher Diva

Here’s How to Entertain a One-Year-Old

If you read his 1-Year Update, you know that George is now 14 months and officially a walker. He's changed so much over the last few months and let's just say keeping him entertained is harder than when he was a baby. He definitely likes to be on the move and switching things up constantly. And now that we're all at home and trying to work while entertaining him, I've tried just about every activity suggested to keep him entertained. If you're a mama to a child around George's age, I thought it would be helpful to compile what's worked best for us. ...

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Our Favorite Low-Carb Meals

We all love an easy dinner recipe and if you're trying to stick with a low-carb lifestyle, here are a few meals that we have been enjoying lately. Since starting F-Factor in January, we've had trouble finding low-carb meals that are 1. satisfying and 2. easy to make. This list checks both boxes for us. My personal favorites are the Garlic Crispy Brussel Sprouts and the Tortilla Pizza. Let me know what you think if you try any of these! ...

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How to Spruce Up Your Home Without Renovating

Building a home was one of the most rewarding (exhausting, but rewarding nonetheless) experiences, especially since we finished up in time to bring George home to it. But there's something really fun about having a fixer-upper or a home that just needs a good polish. I've lived in spaces like this before and even now I'm always thinking up little projects here and there. Whether it's with seasonal decor, a small painting project or throwing down a new rug, there are endless ways to spruce up a space without having to break out the sledgehammers. ...

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George’s 1-Year Update

This year has been incredibly fast -- I honestly can't believe George is one (actually 14 months, but you get the idea). I wanted to share some updates and answer questions I get asked often. ...

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Sugar-Free Spicy Margarita Recipe

Austin and I love a good margarita moment. And if it's spicy, that's even better in our book. This spicy marg recipe has been a nice treat during these summer months. I actually made these for our friends and they couldn't believe they were sugar-free. Usually, I am not a fan of mixers. I find them overly sweet and typically they taste really "artificial". But a TTD reader told me about Swoon mixers (zero sugar zero cals) and encouraged me to order the Margarita mixer. For a low-carb and zero sugar drink, we were impressed. It's made from Monk Fruit (a melon native to Southeast Asia that has natural sweetness) and has zero calories and carbs. We've been cooking with Monk Fruit for a while since starting F Factor, and it's the closest thing to sugar that we've tasted (unlike Splenda or Stevia). It took Austin a minute to get used to it, but I liked it right away. I've already bought a few bottles to share with the family over 4th of July weekend. ...

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Resources and Children’s Books for Discussing Systemic Racism and Diversity at Home

One of the most important things I've learned in the last week is how important it is to talk to our children about race, and not just diversity but what racism means and looks like. Specifically what it means to be anti-racist, privileged and what implicit biases are. Those might seem like adult concepts, but as studies have shown, it's never too early to start talking to your kids about them. For anyone looking to get started doing this along with Austin and I, I've compiled some amazing resources and books. From black voices and leaders on Instagram to children's books and helpful articles, everything below should help you start having these necessary conversations in your home. ...

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3 Iced Coffee Recipes

If you're like me, iced coffee is a must this time of year. I could honestly drink it year-round, but during the summer it's truly the best treat. I have 3 recipes that I have been rotating each week. Whether you like to go to Starbucks or make something at home, I have a recipe below that is ideal for iced coffee lovers. ...

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Summer-at-Home Survival Kit For You & the Kids

Depending on where you live and your situation, you might be heading out this summer, but I think it's safe to say we'll all be spending more time at home than usual. We're so grateful to have our patio and small yard space to be able to enjoy time outside while still safe at home. It's just all about finding ways to make it feel vacation-like...and keeping a very active one-year-old busy. If you're trying to survive a summer at home, here are some of our essentials. From fun activities for the adults and kids to this extra-large beach towel that we've been loving, I hope this list makes your summer even better. And if you have a little one, I can't recommend this play sink enough - it's George's absolute favorite and buys me at least 30 minutes! Also, if you're in the market for Swimwear for yourself, I'm sharing several flattering picks + my tips on body confidence in tomorrow's newsletter. You can sign up for the list right here. xx Ashley ...

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10 Low-Carb Snack Options We Keep In The House

If you follow me on Instagram Stories or are in my private Facebook Group (request to join and I'll accept you!), you know I've been pretty open about our F-Factor journey and what Austin and I have done to lose weight and make healthier choices. Our goal this year was to shed a few extra pounds and actually stick with this as a lifestyle. A lot of you have requested "grab and go" snacks that would support a low-carb/high fiber diet, so I wanted to share what we keep on hand.  ...

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Our Neutral Bedroom

When asked about my favorite room in our house, it's always an easy answer for me — the master bedroom. Ginger was able to turn our vision into reality and create a serene escape for us. We wanted something neutral, calming, and minimal and I think she pulled it off perfectly. ...

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