Hannahmade Modern Goods

Health Kick

So recently I've gotten on this health kick....well let's get real. I go on "health kicks" often, but they never last very long. I'll make a statement that I need to start eating healthier and working out more often, then it will last for maybe a week or so. I bake cupcakes, cookies, etc. for Youth on Friday nights and that is usually when I start to fall back into my bad habits. I have to eat just one "to make sure it's ok" before I take the goodies to Youth. After I have the one I want more and usually give in later that night. This time what I'm trying to do is give myself healthy or not so bad alternatives to sweets that I love so much. I found this recipe for Paleo Chocolate and I've learned to love it when I get a sweet craving. I have included the recipe below. It is definitely an acquired taste, but the more you eat it instead of "bad" sweets or chocolate the better it gets. I think giving myself alternatives will actually help when I have cravings or want to binge.

Paleo Chocolate

1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup high quality cocoa powder
1/2 cup smooth almond butter
1/4 cup raw honey or maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Melt coconut oil. Blend all ingredients together in a food processor or blender. Pour into paper-lined muffin tin cups or silicon muffin cups and fill half-inch full. Makes 10. Chill for 30 minutes or freeze for 10 minutes. When firm, remove. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Sometimes I will add coconut or oats to it to give it a bit more substance.

I've also tried to come up with a way to keep myself working out more consistently. I want to buy this pair of pants, but I want to buy them in a smaller size than I currently wear.

In order to do that I have to workout, and stay consistent long enough to go down an entire pants size. So to keep myself motivated I put the money for the pants in savings, and made myself a deal that if I completed Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred I would buy the pants. I made a little chart to mark off everyday that I complete so I can track my progress. I don't have to do it 30 days straight, but stay consistent enough to actually see results. We will see how this goes, but I think it might actually work! Who knows...maybe it will even become a lifestyle!

What are some ways you keep yourself motivated and consistent?

On a side note, I got a new blog design from Miss Audrey Sue Designs and I love it! She is awesome! What do you think?

A Day at Gordon's Bay

Ally captured what I was doing all day today. Taking photos!

I don't have many words to describe today. Relaxing. Fun. Amazing. Beautiful. Grateful. Colorful. Take a look at the pictures to see just a portion of what I experienced today. I have a pretty amazing God!

Drinking her Passiona

Chicken Burger at The Protein Stop

Selfie fail with the Canon

Typical us

Relaxing on a rock

Here are a few of the photos I took today at the beautiful Gordon's Bay. Still working on my photography skills.

I love the color of the water when the waves crash.

How amazing is God for creating all this?

I was so excited to catch these birds in flight.

Learning and Growing

As I sit here listening to the rain and drinking my Dunkin' Decaf coffee I am thinking about all that I have learned just being back in Australia for one month. I have been really struggling with homesickness since the day we landed in Sydney from our Georgia trip. I just wanted to be back home with family, friends, and what is familiar and comfortable. Just so happened that a week after we got here we had Vision Sunday at Hillsong Church. It was a total God thing because He knew exactly what I needed to hear. On Vision Sunday Brian Houston spoke about "Pioneering Again" and "Living the Uncomfortable Life". The following Sunday, the title of Chris Mendez's message was "It's Our Time" and spoke about going through different seasons, but no matter what season we are going through, our time is now! We need to make the most of every moment and opportunity, not look forward to the future seasons. We were placed on Earth at this time and place for a reason! Life is not always going to be easy, it will always have challenges, but God will be with us every step of the way....Which runs into Bobbie Houston's word from Sisterhood United Night (a special night for women to get together, fellowship, worship, and hear the Word). Bobbie spoke about the fact that "Love is on the Way" no matter what we go through the Lord already knows what we will need and is there ready for us when we get there. Such encouraging words from my pastors at Hillsong Church!

Hearing all of this I really thought about my life and about the fact that Kyle and I wouldn't be here in Australia if God didn't want us here right now. No, it's not easy being away from friends, family, and the comfortable life we are used to, but we are here right now for a reason. I have such a wonderful husband who is so supportive and understanding. We talked for a long time one night and he prayed for me and my struggles, and it gave me such a peace - I have an Amazing God! Now, instead of focusing on what I'm missing at home, I am choosing to enjoy this season in my life while I can. I am going step out of my comfort zone, show the love of Christ, and just go for it! This is MY time! I mean, who can say they lived in Australia and served at Hillsong Church anyway?

On another note, here are a few pictures of what we have been doing on the weekends or whenever we get free time.

Little Narra Beach

Australia Day fireworks in the city

Gordon's Bay

DIY: Glittery Shoes

My cousin is getting married this weekend, and I am one of the bridesmaids. I have been having a hard time finding gold or navy shoes that are affordable and I'm able to walk in. As a last resort I decided to look for some nude or tan colored pumps and just attempt to make them gold myself. I found a super cute pair of tan Nine West pumps at Ross on clearance for $20 retailed for $80! This is a step by step tutorial on adding a glitter toe to your shoes. It only cost me just over $30 for the entire project!

What you will need:

- 1 pair of shoes that you want to glitter
- Masking tape (found this at home in the craft closet)
- Mod Podge (I used glossy)
- Extra fine glitter
- Mod Podge sealer (or any other kind of sealing spray)

Pumps: $20

Michaels Supplies: $11 (with coupon)

Step 1: Place making tape to make a straight line where you want the glitter to stop

Step 1

Step 2: Paint Mod Podge on the toe starting at the masking tape and moving away from it (so it doesn't get under the tape).

Step 2

Step 3: Sprinkle glitter over the Mod Podge, then shake it off gently.

Step 3

Step 4: Remove tape immediately, DO NOT LET DRY. Otherwise the tape may peel up the glitter with it.

You may have a few spots where you can see the original shoe through the glitter, so if necessary you can repeat steps 2 and 3 after the first layer is dry.

Step 5: Once you are totally finished glittering and the shoes are dry, spray with the mod podge sealer and let dry for a few hours. (try to spray only the glittery toe of the shoe)

Finished glittery shoes ready to be worn!

Let me know if you have any questions! Good luck!

I will post pictures after the wedding so you can see how the shoes look with the dress!

Cowan - Family of 8

We have thoroughly enjoyed being back in the US for a little while and spending time with friends and family. This past week my brother and his wife came in town for Christmas, and my parents had all 6 of us kids under one roof for the first time! Bri (my brother Paul's wife & the newest addition to the Cowan family) is a photographer, so we took some family photos. Click here to see more of her photography.

Or course we had to goof off a little before we got any serious photos.

Then for the jumping fun....

Months in Review

So I've been a little busy lately and haven't had much time to blog. I've put together a few pictures to kind of sum up the past few months. We had several beach day trips, Youth events, Housemate Hangouts, Grad Ball, Hillsong's Christmas Lights Celebration, Newcastle Vacation, and moved into a new house!