Guest Blogger - Alyssa, Adventures in Anxiety

I'm Alyssa Pasquale and I am so excited to be writing for the Mr. & Mrs Blog today. Before I start I want to tell you a few things about myself. I have a bachelors degree in behavioral science and currently live in Utah County. I am married to my best friend and most amazing human in the world Dominic. I love travel, food, writing, and photography. 

I started my blog Adventures in Anxiety in January of this year. It started as a lifestyle blog called Picture it Pasquale and my first official post was about my experience with anxiety. I received so much positive feedback from that post that I started toying with the idea of making my blog into a mental health blog. The more I thought about it, the more it just made sense. I have struggled with mental health my whole life and I know mental illness touches everyone's lives. I just want to show at least one person that they are not alone in their mental illness.

Anxiety runs in my family but I did not know that until about 4 or 5 years ago. I started navigating this disorder back in the 3rd grade. I did not know what it was at the time and I did not find out until college. So, here are 5 things that I wish I would have known before I figured out what was going on with me 

1. You are not alone. This is the most important. Mental illness has a way of isolating you. You withdraw from friends, family, hobbies, and work. There are always people there to help you if you need it. Do not be afraid to open up to someone about what you are going through. It might even bring you closer together.

2. Be honest about it. Tell your professors, your boss, your church leaders, your family members, your friends, anyone you feel like needs to know about your disorder. It can be scary and vulnerable but it is so freeing once everything is laid out and you might be surprised by how understanding most people are. I have had to take mental health days off from work before. I tell my boss I need a mental health day and he is fully supportive which is absolutely incredible. 

3. Not everyone will understand what you are going through and that is okay. Some people don't believe in mental illness and these are the people that will tell you it's all in your head or that you just need to exercise to make yourself feel better. Take everything they say about your illness with a grain of sand. These people do not understand and do not really want to understand so try not to stress about them.

4. You are strong. Mental illness is a beast and sometimes you feel like you are being eaten alive. The fact that you are still standing shows not only others that you are strong but yourself as well.

5. It is okay to not be okay. You will have bad mental health days and you will feel weak because of them. You feel like you should be better than this. But you know what? You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it. No one is perfect. Need to take some time for yourself? Do it. Take whatever time you need to not be okay so you can come back even stronger.

If you want to see my corner of the internet you can check me out here, and on Instagram here. See you all soon!

Review - Disney Movie Rewards

*this post may contain affiliate links*

**this post is in no way sponsored or endorsed by Disney Movie Rewards AND all opinions are my own.**

Many of you know I am OBSESSED with Disney Movie Rewards! (DMR) It is a great perk from Disney for buying their movies. James and I love movies especially Disney movies. We are constantly buying many so why not reap the benefits?! And who knows.. we might score that movie we have always wanted for FREE! In fact we actually have; The Lone Ranger, Toy Story and The Rookie, A Bugs Life, PLUS many, many more. Not only are we able to score awesome movies, we have actually gotten a few other really neat things. Like $5.00 off coupons, gift-cards, toys, pins, etc. Watch the video below to see some of the awesome things James and I have been able to score! 

(My most favorite is the Mystery Movie Reward! Because you don't know what you are getting until you get that brown package! We have scored some awesome movies! Watch my UN-boxing videos below.

One of the BEST place to get your Disney movies is from Amazon! They have the best deals and they ship quickly. Check out how many movies Amazon actually has (INCLUDING CLASSICS!) 

   

JOIN DISNEY MOVIE REWARDS HERE: http://www.disneymovierewards.go.com/

Hope you all enjoy Disney Movie Rewards just as much as James and I do! Are you already signed up? Have you got anything awesome from them? Leave a comment below! We want to know your opinions of this program!

Crock-Pot Meatballs

*this post may contain affiliate links*

What you need:

1 bag of ready made meatballs

1 18 oz jar of grape jelly

1 12 oz jar of chili sauce

In crock-pot mix grape jelly and chili sauce together

Add meatballs to mixture and mix together making sure sauce is covering all the meatballs

Place crock-pot on high and cook for 2 hours

Remove from high and place on low and cook an additional 6 hours

Making sure to stir meatballs and sauce mixture every once in awhile

After cooked serve over noodles, mashed potatoes, rice or eat alone

                                                         

     

A New Week Already?!

*this post may contain affiliate links*

Wow here we are another week! I feel as if time is just flying on by now-a-days. It's super crazy. Things here have still been pretty busy. And now that the cats out of the bag ... yes, we are getting ready to sell our home. It's bitter-sweet. We have loved having our home but we are ready for a new adventure. To where, that part is still unknown. Wish us luck ha ha. So with that being said, I can explain the next picture ha! 

Mr. Ollie has been super nervous since I started packing up one of our rooms. So he has been following me everywhere and being super cuddly. The other night he decided to hang out in my Barbie house (that my parents built me!) and just watch me as I taped shut a few boxes. But can I just say moving is super stressful but at the same time kind of nice because of how much stuff I have already been able to get rid of! Who knew we had so much crap. Ha ha. 

Lately the weather here in Idaho has been crazy. We've had sunshine and in the 50's to snow on the grown and of course a bunch of rain! I'm okay with this rain because I love the sound of it and the smell is amazing. Well the other day I remembered why I love the rain even more. We were blessed with a double rainbow. It was so beautiful. 

Miss Maggie has been enjoying the warmer weather when we get is. She loves sunbathing in our backyard and running around. It's so cute. I love being able to have a backyard for her! It's also been nice to be able to go on so many walks. Ah, I've missed the sunshine. Sure lifts my spirits.

And since the weather has been nicer the last few days I decided to finally display my birthday gift I got from James family. It looks so pretty! Thanks family, I love it. What do you all think?!

How's the weather where you are from? Are any of you experiencing Spring yet? I know I am ready for it! Well here's to another week .. ha ha! Also don't forget I have an Etsy shop now and we are having a sale! Check it out here.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

In honor of my grandfathers birthday, I thought it would be fun to share with you all one of my all time favorite stories that he told. He loved telling scary stories .. but make sure you watch to the end for a nice twist ha! Yes, I have previously shared these but they are my favorite. I'm glad I have these memories, and that I have these videos recorded so I can hear his voice. He may not be with us on earth anymore, but I cherish the memories I have with him. It will be an amazing day when I get to be reunited with my grandpa! Love you grandpa! Hope you're having a wonderful birthday with your wife. 

Guest Post - Meet the author, Shikira R. Savage

*this post may contain affiliate links*

Hey everyone I’m Shikira ReNae Savage and I’m so excited to be today's guest blogger. I’m currently working on the third draft of my very first novel called The Rose, a story of four teenagers sucked into a fantasy world by a simple mistake, and discover that they are part of a prophecy, and must destroy an entity called darkness who is trying to take over the magical kingdom of  Everland. I've decided to share with you about how I decided at twelve years old that I wanted to be an author.

Just for fun, I wanted to give you ten random facts about me.

1. I’m the second child. The youngest, and only girl.

2. I hated English class as a kid. As a writer that’s a strange one I know!

3. I love performing. Singing, acting, etc.

4. I’m the only social butterfly in my immediate family so I’m just odd.

5. I know a lot of  movie and book trivia, more then most.

6. I am afraid of the dark, spiders, clowns, and heights.

7. I hated horror movies when I was younger but now I live to scare myself.

8.  As ironic as it is, I have actually had eight surgeries in my life. Six knee surgeries, my gallbladder and appendix removed. 

9. I am a very messy unorganized person, but my older brother is a clean freak.

10. I am such an animal and baby person. If you hand me a baby don’t expect them back for at least a half an hour. Ha ha.

Now that you all know a little bit about me, let’s get started on what lead me to wanting to becoming a author.

My mom tells me that from a young age she knew I was going to be a storyteller of some kind. I would write stories on our old school computer, but being a child I didn’t really know what an author was; I always thought books just kind of appeared. I guess I thought it was magic or something it didn’t even connect with me that there were names at the bottom of books. I then went and saw Bridge To Terrabithia starring Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb and I loved it but hated the ending ... not going to spoil it even though it’s been out for a long time. I always wanted to act and decided I would write a story like that but with actual fantasy because one of my other favorite movies was The Chronicles of Narnia. That is when I started my first book called Wandbat Land. The title makes me cringe but I thought it was so clever. The book changed drastically from the characters being friends to being romantic after I read Twilight then I eventually scrapped the whole thing. More books came and went and a couple of them I’m revisiting and going to try to write with my better knowledge of writing. 

Now I’m finally on a third draft of The Rose and couldn’t be more excited. I have overcome many challenges like, dyslexia and my computer deleting my books. When that happened I went into such a depression that I stopped writing all together, but now I am going to be done soon. I also wanted to add that I tend to put a lot of mental illness references in my books such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and so on, because if I could sneak those into books aimed toward young adults and help anyone then it would be a dream come true. I am so excited and I hope that when it is finally out that you all give my book a chance and enjoy. Before I say goodbye, here is a sneak peak of The Rose! The final edit isn’t done so it may change a bit but not too much.

The Rose!

Harmony, a gift of peace one second it was there then it was gone. The castle of light turned dark, it’s angels wings spiking and horns growing turning them to demons. From good to evil. The creatures dived in the Everland relm didn’t know what to do or whom to trust. He made promises lost of promises but those who were smart shied away and didn’t believe a word, others however did they followed and cheered like a crusade for the winning, a crown for the taking. He sat on his throne both of lies and of precious gold. So many would do anything he wanted out of fear of him. Was there anything he was afraid of the way he struck terror into those in the lands below? Well not exactly there were only one thing that changed the beat of his cold black heart something he couldn’t be positive was true but if it were it would ruin him forever. The Prophecy, The children of Creator. The Creator’s sons and daughters would be his undoing. Mortals with less power in their entire body then he had in the nail on his smallest finger were the ones who struck him with fear. He hated that it was mortals of all things stupid pathetic mortals, he guarded the Everland portal from the magic world to the human one with many creatures waiting for the day inevitably coming. Waiting, planning agonizing waiting for the day where he would carry out their painful indimit deaths. Not leaving one to spare no loose end not tied. He would never allow them to kill him to take away all he had worked for so instead he would kill them, he would win and he would rule forever. Nothing would stop him not when he worked hundreds of years to be where he was to destroy and steal all that he wanted all he deserved. 

He was Evil.

He was Malevolent. 

He was Darkness.

Thanks so much for getting to know me! I hope you will be able to join me on my journey and enjoy my work. To keep up on my release date of my book  and for more information follow me on Facebook here! You can also find me on Instagram! Click here. Check out my blog too here!

Love2Blossom Flower Crown - Review

 YAY for floral crowns! If you have been looking for one I HIGHLY recommend Love2Blossom. You can visit her Etsy shop here. They are made with love and you can definitely tell. The quality is amazing and the price is even better. I am in love with mine. It is simple enough that I can wear it just because but fancy enough if I want to wear it to dress up! Can I get a hallelujah! 

They are absolutely beautiful and I will be back to her shop to buy more. I can't wait to get one to wear on Easter! Oh and of course when we get updated family pictures. They are perfect for every occasion. I think they would be wonderful for weddings and maternity shoots as well! I also heard she is adding flower clips! I am so excited and once those are added to her shop I will for sure be purchasing a few. If you want the inside scoop check out Love2Blossom on Instagram here! 

Easy Dog Ice Cream

Maggie & I are SO excited to share with you all today's recipe! Doggy Ice Cream! I have created two different flavors which have been tasted by the one the ONLY Miss Maggie girl. Both of these are super easy to make and they are well worth it because your pup will never look at you the same. You will be the best human out there! Trust me, or trust Maggie, you decide. 

The Things You Will Need:

3/4 cups chopped or shredded lettuce (NOT Iceberg brand!)

3/4 cups peanut butter smooth (DO NOT get chunky!)

1/2 cup Silk Almond Milk 

2 frozen bananas 

In a blender add the bananas, peanut butter and lettuce. 

Blend until completely blended with barley any chunks. Scrape down the sides with a spoon or spatula, add almond milk and blend until smooth.

Once blended all together pour mixture into a dish that can be froze! (I used paper ice cream dishes that I got at Target.) Place in freezer and freeze until fully frozen which is about 3 hours. Once frozen give your furry friend a scoop.. the whole dish or a few licks! 

I like to put the dish out and let Maggie enjoy, get a few licks and bites then I put it away so she can save some for later!

The Things You Will Need:

1/2 cup pumpkin

1/4 cup peanut butter

1 cup Silk Almond Milk

2 frozen bananas 

In a blender add bananas, pumpkin, peanut butter and almond milk.

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Scrape down the sides with a spoon or spatula and blend again. Once blended well place mixture into dish that can be froze! (I used paper ice cream dishes that I got at Target.) Place in freezer and freeze until fully frozen which is about 3 hours. Once frozen let your puppy dig in and enjoy!

This is Maggie's FAVORITE flavor! Although she does love both she is just a big pumpkin fan.

And there you have it! Two fantastic doggy ice cream flavors! Go ahead give them a try. If you do or would like to PLEASE leave a comment below. Also make sure to pin this o Pinterest to save for later! Find the pin here! 

Update - The Last Few Months

*THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS*

Well you might notice that we haven't been blogging lately. We have good cause this time! You might notice also that there have been A BUNCH of changes to our blog. The first big change that we are most excited about it we now own our domain! It's more simple to find us now. We have also changed our name from The Mr & The Mrs to Mr & Mrs Blog. And lastly we've updated our look to something more bright, summery and fun. 

With all of these changes we have decided to also change up our blogging pattern. Here is what you can expect from us.

Monday: Update on our life, what we did that week, our travels, etc. 

Tuesday: A new recipe. One that we've created or that we have found and tried.

Wednesday: Reviews of products that have been sent to us or a product we love and want the world to know about.

Thursday: Guest posts! Where we have a visitor from another blog, YouTube channel or someone who wants to promote their business.

Friday: YouTube video.

Now onto what most of you came for .. the update from the last few months and what we have been up to. If you follow us on Instagram then you probably know what we have been up to. If you don't you should click here and follow us and our journey through life!

FEBRUARY 

The first few weeks of February were filled with surprises, fun adventures and they all helped James and I grow closer together. One thing you might not know about us is that we both LOVE arcades. So we brought in the new month by going to our favorite one. This was a great time because it's the best James and I have ever done. We both won the jackpots multiple times so GO US! ha ha. 

The next week James and I headed for a small getaway to Idaho Falls. We went and visited the aquarium which was a total blast! Most of everything is hands on because they want it to be a learning experience. If you're ever in Idaho Falls check it out for sure! After the aquarium we went to lunch, of course stopped at Target *side note* we don't have one super close so if I'm ever around one I definitely have to stop because well it's Target. Then we headed over to our hotel that was in an awesome location. It was center of everything. There we went swimming a billion and a half times, ate dinner and relaxed! It was a wonderful time and great to relax and rewind for the night and forget about our worries and problems ha ha. But then we were back in reality the next day. 

February James and I also finally made the switch from Samsung to an iPhone. And all I can say is I am in love with this phone and the camera ha. Now you all will see even more pictures of our animals. Sorry not sorry .. I'm obsessed with them. They are so cute.

Maggie and I made a road trip down to Utah just to visit with the family since my mom had an extra day off of work. Woo! It was so much fun to be around family again and to enjoy their company. I sure do miss them, so I am always very grateful for those moments with them when I am able to visit.

And luckily I got to spend A LOT of time with this little cutie. It was so fun to see how much her personality has changed. She's a lot of fun and such a stinker.

I was also able to do a small photo-shoot for Love2Blossoms flower crowns. The models of course were my sisters adorable daughters. Aren't they rocking those crowns? If you want some for yourself cause you know Easter is coming up .. I already have mine! *review on Wednesday* click here to visit Love2Blossoms Etsy shop! 

We ended February the best way we possibly could. We made a mini road trip down to Utah with some of James friends who quickly became mine. The introduced us to the delicious Freebirds. It's like Chipotle but I believed it was a billion times better. I personally thought that they had more flavoring and it was a lot easier to eat. But this is compared to our Chipolte that we have back at home. Which I've heard just isn't that great ha ha. But I would definitely eat at Freebirds again!

After eating we headed to the main event! The Utah Jazz game. It was SO much fun especially because the Jazz won. Also while at the game I was able to see one of my friends that I haven't seen in years! (she's the middle one) It was great to catch up and chit chat even if it was for like five minutes during half time. 

MARCH

March is my birthday month! WOO! For an early celebration because James worked he took me to Red Robin which is one of my very favorites. We decided to "splurge" and get fun fancy drinks. And holy cow! I got a prickly pear lemonade and it was amazing and I will probably get that from now on.

The day before my birthday it started snowing .. and mind you we have had a very mild winter with barley any snow so this came as a huge shock! And on top of it we got twenty five inches! I like to think this was my grandpa sending me a birthday gift from Heaven. I was beaming all day on my birthday because of all the snow we were getting and how beautiful it was.  

Miss Maggie also thoroughly enjoyed the snow. She loves eating it and playing in it. We went outside and played in it multiple times throughout the day. She would sit by the door and whine because she just wanted to be in the snow. It was adorable.   

Last week James family came up for a short visit. It was great to see them and spend some time with them. We went into town and enjoyed a delicious meal, well maybe not Nick because he ordered a hamburger and at the place we went to their more known for their bread so that is what the hamburger basically was. HA! Sorry Nick we should of told you. 

And now we are to today. Things have been busy here as Dale (James grandfather) and I have been getting things ready to open up our Etsy shop .. which is NOW OPEN! We are so excited and have put so much love and work into this. We hope you all love it as much as we do. We have listed some things that are perfect for those Easter baskets and we will continue to post more so check back often.  And don't forget we take custom orders. If you're looking for something just send us a message and we will do our best to make it happen for you! If you want to visit our Etsy shop click here.

Pizza Casserole

*this post may contain affiliate links*

The things you will need:

1 lb ground beef, pork, turkey or chicken (your preference)

2 packages of biscuits (Pillsbury, or store brand .. you're choice!) 

1 jar of pizza sauce (14 oz)

2 cups cheese (your preference, we used Colby Jack)

1 package of pepperoni (about 50 slices)

Step 1: Preheat oven to 400.

(while the oven is preheating, brown your meat of choice)

Step 2: Open biscuits and cut them into fourths and place them in a 9 x 13 greased pan.

(see above picture for reference) 

Step 3: Bake biscuits for about 5-6 minutes. 

(while biscuits are baking drain your choice of meat and place in a bowl)

 Step 4: Remove biscuits from oven and place off to the side. In your bowl where you have placed your meat, mix in the jar of pizza sauce until the meat is covered evenly. 

 Step 5: Spread meat mixture over biscuits evenly until everything is covered.

 Step 6: Place pepperoni over meat mixture and biscuits. (I made my rows even because .. OCD)

Step 7: Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over everything. 

Step 8: Once you're done with the above steps, place your dish back in the oven for 20 minutes.

Step 9: Once 20 minutes is up sprinkle the rest of the cheese (1 cup should be leftover), and place back in the over for an additional 5 minutes.

Once done pull out of the oven and let cool about 5-7 minutes before serving. 

Once cooled dig in and enjoy!

Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.