ashleyd /

How My Priorities Are Changing These Days

It’s incredible how quickly perspective and priorities can change when certain life events take place.

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Last week, while in Savannah, Georgia visiting our friends and family at home, it was clear that the locals were on high-alert after watching Hurricane Harvey devastate Texas the week prior. With two more storms in the Atlantic, many people were focusing their long, holiday weekend on putting together their hurricane evacuation essentials, and, overall, preparing for the unexpected.

For Bo and I, expanding our family has caused us to think more about how we can help ensure a safe financial future. We now have a fully dependent, 12-week-old daughter to think about when we make decisions.  For us, term life insurance is a necessity for ensuring that no matter what happens to us, Bo and I will both have a financial cushion to help with paying the bills and raising Katie.

When Haven Life reached out to me in June, asking if I would be interested in partnering for a sponsored post, I quickly said yes. Updating our life insurance policy was on my to-do list and like so many other tedious and often overwhelming tasks such as creating a will, it had been pushed further and further down my to-do list.  At the same time, I’ve heard horror stories from friends and family about waiting too long to update or even purchase policies. So, hopefully this post will motivate and encourage you to look into life insurance more actively. It did for me.

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What’s nice about Haven Life is that they realize that today’s generation is looking for a simpler, easier to understand and transparent life insurance solution. We aren’t accustomed to having long-term relationships with insurance agents. Similar to the way that Expedia and other travel websites changed the way we book travel, Haven Life believes that today’s moms and dads deserve an insurance option that meets their online, DIY expectations. While Haven Life has a startup feel and fresh perspective, they are backed by MassMutual, a 160-year old life insurance company with a long history of financial strength.

Haven Life’s aim is to deliver a life insurance buying experience as it should be – a simple, transparent and friendly process that any customer can complete quickly and confidently.  Their application process is online, and some people may qualify for InstantTerm, a Haven Life process that allows qualified applicants* under the age of 45 to finalize coverage without the need for a medical exam.

Plus, since the process is online, you can find out instantly if you’re approved for coverage and how much it’ll cost.

If you’re like most in our generation, you may not realize that a 20-year, $500,000 term life insurance policy can be very affordable, often less than $20 per month for a healthy 30-year-old woman.  For a NYC resident that can mean taking your lunch to work a couple times a month.  In fact, when using our current Brooklyn zip code, I found that a $1,000,000, 30-year policy would cost a healthy 34-year-old woman $54.33 per month! clip_image002[4]

So, instead of putting life insurance off any longer, take a few minutes to help financially protect your family this week!

This post is sponsored by Haven Life, but views expressed are my own.

*Based on health information from the application.

Haven Term is a Term Life Insurance Policy (ICC15DTC) issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111 and offered exclusively through Haven Life Insurance Agency, LLC.

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ashleyd /

Under $100 Fall Wish List

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Next weekend we are heading back to Vermont for another relaxing weekend. While I’m thrilled to enjoy fresh air and rest in the Green Mountain state, the weather forecast immediately made me realize that I need to go shopping. The forecast is currently showing lows in the 30s and highs in the 50s which means I need to have jeans, sweatshirts and long sleeve shirts packed and ready to wear. In addition, when I go back to work on November 6th, I need to have some business casual clothing that fits, flatters and works for customer meetings or business travel. As I’ve mentioned before, my body shape has changed since giving birth to Katie. I have curves that I’ve never had before, especially in the hip area. Even though the scale shows only a few pounds left until I reach my pre-baby weight, my clothes tell a different story. This morning I spent time going through my closet and trying on a mix of casual and work clothing, to see what works and doesn’t.

After realizing that I need to order at least a few items, I was inspired to use put together a fall fashion wish list including items that I’ve already ordered, other that I hope to order soon and others that are favorites that I take out again and again each year, like my houndstooth puffer vest.

In no particular order, here are 15 items I’m loving, each of which are under $100 after the additional 30% discount each retailer is currently offering.

LOFT

JCrew Factory

JCREW

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

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ashleyd /

Pumpkin Spice Protein Pancakes

These delicious, easy, healthy pumpkin spice protein pancakes are ready in less than 10 minutes and include more than 15 grams of protein!

Pumpkin Spice Protein Pancakes

For years, the arrival of Fall meant cooler temperatures, shopping for new school supplies and that all-important outfit to wear to the first day of school. In college, it meant the beginning of football season, return to college and a fresh, new year. But, more recently, it has meant the return of tall boots, cozy sweaters, comfortable leggings, late nights watching football and all things pumpkin. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not one of those girls who rushes to Starbucks the day they release their pumpkin spice lattes. In fact, I don’t like the Pumpkin Spice Lattes as their articifial flavors and sweetness gives me a horrible stomachache. However, I do love incorporating pumpkin and spices into my baking and cooking once Fall’s cooler temperatures arrive.

When Krusteaz offered to send me a breakfast package to celebrate National Breakfast Month, I knew I wanted to use the new Krusteaz Protein Buttermilk Pancakes Mix to whip up seasonal pancakes.

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This mix makes it easy to whip up light, fluffy pancakes while the inclusion of cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg give them a taste of fall. With 13g of added protein, it’s the perfect way to keep your family full and energized all day long. In keeping with Krusteaz’s commitment to simplified and wholesome ingredients, the new protein pancake is free of partially hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Since this recipe includes both milk and eggs, the protein per serving is increased to 18 grams which means that unlike most pancakes, these will keep you full until lunch!

 

Pumpkin Spice Protein Pancakes

Pumpkin Spice Protein Pancakes

Makes 2 servings, 3 pancakes per serving

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Krusteaz Protein Buttermilk Pancake mix
  • 1 egg
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • Teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
  • Teaspoon of cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp of freshly grated nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt
  • Maple syrup

Directions:

  1. Combine pancake pancake mix, egg, milk, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a medium size bowl.
  2. Warm a lighly greased pancake griddle or large pan to medium heat or 375 degrees.
  3. Use a whisk to combine the bowl’s ingredients; but don’t overmix the batter. It will be slightly lumpy and on the thicker side. Let batter stand 2 minutes.
  4. Spoon 1/4 cup batter onto the griddle and cook pancakes 1.5-2 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
  5. Flip and repeat on other side.
  6. Serve pancakes on a plate and top with a drizzle of maple syrup and any option toppings such as pecans, a dash of cinnamon or dab of butter.

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This is such a fast and easy breakfast that it is perfect for weekdays and weekends alike and unlike regular pancakes, the protein in these help ensure you’re satiated until lunch!

This post is brought to you by Krusteaz. As always, the recipe, text, images, and opinions expressed are my own.

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