I Am Rhonda James

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Happy New Year

Tuesday, January 26, 2021


Happy New Year! I know. I'm a little late. But after Christmas, I wanted to make sure I took some real time off for myself to simply enjoy the holidays and be with my family. No distractions. No social media. 

We all know that 2020 caught us by surprise, and the year turned out to be one complete crap show. And even though it left a bitter taste in our mouths as we entered into 2021 unsure of whether or not things will get better, I can honestly say that I'm still hopeful 2021 will be a prosperous year. 

I still celebrated the new year with my family, champagne glasses full, and giving off a list long of goals I have for the upcoming year. So, I figured I would share them with you all too. 

Live a Healthy Life
I know that this one goes down for everyone's New Year's goal. But, with COVID still lurking around taking better care of my health has become even more a priority. I want to become so in tune with my body. I want to feel great from the moment I get out of bed to the moment I prepare for sleep. I want to feel energized and beam radiance. 

And I don't mean just by what I eat, I also mean by the people and things I expose myself to as well. I want a healthy life physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

Read More
So far, I'm off to a good start with this one. I've been wanting to read a lot more. Whether it be books or finding new blogs to enjoy, I want to find more people that enjoy writing and creating content as much as I do. I want to read your stuff. 

Live Unapologetically 
If there's one thing I learned from 2020 is that people lost their lives and didn't live their life to the fullest. We go through life so worried about what people may say or think instead of just feeling free to be our true authentic selves. That's what I want to do. 


Lets get 2021 started on the right foot. We got this!!!!

Tis The Season

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Christmas is my favorite holiday. What I love the most about Christmas is that it is just so festive. The decorations, the music, family coming together, gifts, and let's not forget about the food. There's just something about Christmas that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. 

As I mentioned in my Thanksgiving post, holidays won't be the same this year due to the impacts of COVID. 

Unfortunately, some family members won't be able to spend time with their loved ones or don't have the means to celebrate the holidays due to job loss or work closures. It can really put a damper on the holidays, but I want to make the most of the holidays despite what's happening in our world around us. 

Taking family photos this year was a pretty big deal. 

I knew that I wanted to be that cliche family taking pictures in our holiday pajamas, in front of our Christmas tree, smiling, and looking as though life is grand. And we did it!

I got our matching pajamas from Children's Place. Let me say that finding pajamas in the sizes we all needed was like finding a needle in a haystack. It's possible that I hoped on the matching PJs a little late in the game, but damn. 




I am so in love with the way these photos turned out. To say that I used my phone, my tripod, and natural sunlight I think these photos came out exceptionally well. It was a little difficult at first getting Liam to cooperate initially. But, what can you expect with an active four-year-old? 

Taking these photos is just a reminder to me that our family has been quite blessed this year. It shows me to be thankful for all that we have and to never take any moment we have together for granted. 

I know it's hard to find a piece of happiness in the midst of chaos, but I'm here to show you guys that even the small blessings count. 

Here's to having a Merry Christmas!!!


A Day at Riverfront Park

Monday, October 5, 2020
Riverfront Park is an amazingly beautiful historic park here in the Charleston area. It's located in North Charleston on the old Naval Base. Although the naval base closed in the mid-90s, there are still some areas that are open to the public.

 

The park stands as a memorial to pay tribute to the thousands of men and women that served at this here base, but it has definitely evolved over the years. It's a popular spot to view the 4th of July fireworks, tons of festivals are held here, and even concerts are occasionally held at this park. It's truly a great venue.

I decided to bring Liam out here for a day to run around and just get some fresh air one Saturday morning.

Due to the impacts of COVID, I haven't taken Liam to many places. We haven't been to a playground, restaurants, kids' museum, or any place that tends to be heavily crowded. My biggest fear was putting Liam and myself at risk at just the thought of being out.

However, playing in the backyard and drawing on the sidewalk can become so bland after a while. He needed a change in scenery.

What I love about Riverfront Park is that it is pretty secluded. At just the right time of day, you can literally have the park to yourself or pass by a person or two going for a quick morning jog. I knew this place would be perfect to take Liam as I wouldn't have to worry about being in the midst of several others and can still practice social distancing.

The park has had quite a few additions and renovations. For many years the park had been left pretty abandoned as historical buildings simply rotted away. But the city of Charleston has now taken over these buildings and working to restore them.

Liam loved just being able to run freely through the area.

 



He really needed a change in scenery to be the awesome kid that he is. I'm glad that I was able to take him out here to just enjoy some fresh weather without the worries of coming in contact with others.

We didn't venture over to the side of the park that oversees a larger portion of the Cooper River, but we did get to walk the boardwalk, enjoy the breeze and watch as the waves brushed into the rocks below.

Highly recommend that if you guys are in the Charleston area that you stop by here. The view is beautiful and you can soak in so much of Charleston history.

 



My Thoughts on Turning 32

Saturday, August 29, 2020



Happy Birthday to me! On August 24th I turned 32 years old. Due to the current climate of our country, I couldn't do much to celebrate. Although restaurants and bars are open, I still abide by social distancing and didn't want to take the risk of going out to celebrate. Instead, I enjoyed the time well spent with family and friends. We ordered food. Had some drinks. Moms made me a birthday cake. I can truthfully say it was a blessed birthday and thanking God for another year. 


I have to admit though, 32 isn't at all what I thought it would be. 


I used to think most people in their 30s had life figured out. They were secure in their careers, financially stable, and right where they needed to be. But now that I am amongst the 30 and over club, I can honestly say I have no clue what the hell I'm doing. Although I have the house, the car, and the family, I'm still in that awkward stage where I think I know what I want to do with myself and still just playing it by ear. 


More times than not...I'm playing it by ear. 


When I think back on the days that I was a child and my parents were in their 30s, they just seemed like such real adults. As though they knew what was to come next and was more than prepared. Truthfully, my parents carried themselves with so much maturity. But here I am, and I feel still childish AF. Trust me, I'm laughing as I say this. 


There are things I still have no clue about. Things I still call my mom and confirm with her about. Things that I still Google just to make I'm doing it correctly. Like, this can't be the same 32 my mom and dad were when I was four.  In my mind, I like to think I'm in my 20s. That I can stay up late rewatching episodes of Scandal and will have the energy to wake up early the next morning to go into work. But then my body reminds me that it's not 25 anymore and I need to be in bed before 10PM in order to get the adequate eight hours of sleep I need. 


However, I'm allowing myself some grace. I'm giving myself room to continue working on me and taking the time to figure it out. I don't have to have all the answers right now, and until I get there I will enjoy all that I do have. I will enjoy the home my husband and I have. I will enjoy the time spent with my son. I will enjoy the job I have, my car, food in my belly, and shoes on my feet. I will enjoy my bed and a glass of wine at the end of the night. I will enjoy the small blessings on the way. 


Here's to 32. Thank you all for the birthday wishes.

5 Toddler Friendly YouTube Channels

Wednesday, April 15, 2020


YouTube has become a very popular platform for preschool and toddler friendly programs. Truth be told, a few of these channels really helped Liam developmentally. 

We believe that if we're going to offer screen time, it may as well be educational. Since Liam was a baby, we began introducing channels that focused on teaching the essentials for child development. Essentials such as ABCs, numbers, colors, shapes, and other cognitive learning concepts. 

These YouTube channels came in handy as well because we didn't have cable. For families that may not have access to other streaming platforms, YouTube is an amazing substitute. 

Leo and I are always very careful of what videos Liam has access to while on YouTube. Although an awesome platform, there are some videos out there that we obviously wouldn't want our little one to land on. It's best to either install some parental controls or be present with your child as they're scrolling through. Overall, we love seeing Liam's growth from these programs and highly recommend it. 

Here are 5 Toddler Friendly YouTube Channels for Education and Learning


CocoMelon (formerly known as ABC Kids TV)

I have to start this list off with one of the more popular channels. Nearly every parent I've met is familiar with CocoMelon. This channel is such a fun channel that offers sing-a-longs, nursery rhymes, and simply encourages the little one to move and dance while learning. 
 

BabyFirst TV

Liam loved this channel when he was a baby. It's filled with so many bright colors. It teaches the ABCs, numbers, colors, offers a few programs that tap into cognitive learning. 


BabyTV

This channel was the first YouTube channel we introduced to Liam. What I love about this channel is that it is very infant and toddler focused. It hosts a ton of learning programs with shows that Liam to this day still enjoys watching. I must say this channel helped him with identifying numbers, and shapes.

   

Originator Kids

Out of all of the channels, this one is my absolute favorite. I stumbled on this video while searching for a channel that teaches sight words. This channel not only goes through the letters but also teaches words that start with the letter. It's been very helpful now that Liam is beginning to read and be able to recognize some of the very words that he sees on this channel. 

 
I have to admit that this channel is very different in comparison to the others listed, but Liam loves it. It's still bright colors, numbers, and shapes...but with trucks! If your child is anything like mine and enjoys trucks they will surely love learning while seeing their favorite truck across the screen. 




Mothering During a Pandemic

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Just a few days ago, my job sent an email letting us know that due to the potential dangers of COVID-19, all employees were to work remotely until further notice. I have to admit, that although we've been hearing the buzz of the steadily growing numbers of those infected by the coronavirus, a part of me was shocked to hear that as a country we were at this point. 

My initial fear was thinking about my son. The idea of possibly getting infected and putting my son in danger of this terrifying virus. So, we're abiding by government rules and socially distancing ourselves. 

That means no more visits to the park. That means avoiding taking him to the stores or anywhere public. That means wearing masks and constantly washing our hands. That means whatever I feel it may take to protect myself and my family. Because even though we're in a pandemic, it doesn't stop me from still being a mother. 

The challenges I face with being a mother during a pandemic is trying to relay to my son why we can't do things in the same capacity as we used. He's only thee. So, he doesn't understand why he's not allowed to get out and about like we normally would on a Saturday. He doesn't understand why he has to stay home with daddy even though he wants to do a grocery run with mom. It's a sad reality, but one that has hit us like a ton of bricks. 

I've been doing my best to find new ways to keep him busy during the day. Pinterest has introduced me to new ways of incorporating fun and education for him, but even still...he yearns to be around other kids. 

These times have been so challenging and taking it all in has been extremely overwhelming. Reading over the stats and hearing the numbers of those that have lost their lives to this virus makes me fight even harder to protect my family. 

Mothering during a pandemic isn't something I thought I would be saying. But for all the mothers out there, I'm here with you. 

Italian Lentil Meatballs

Monday, September 16, 2019
I’ve been a role lately with creating mock meat recipes. Last week, I created a Black Bean and Corn Veggie Burger. Although it was a bit of trial and error, I figured out the right combo to get it to stick. This week, I decided to create Italian Lentil Meatballs.

Italian Lentil Meatballs

I’ve cooked with lentils before, but I sparingly use them. Lentils have an interesting texture in my opinion, and I didn’t know how else to prepare them aside from a wrap or toppings for a salad. So, I wanted to give meatballs a try.

Lentils are the perfect meat substitute. They’re legumes, but also a great source of protein. With this meatball recipe, you can pair it however you like. Whether in a bowl of gravy or with your favorite spaghetti dish. I chose to add a store bought pasta sauce with mine that turned out pretty well with these lentil meatballs.

To keep this recipe simple, I went with adding cooked white rice instead of bread crumbs to hold the lentil meatballs together. You can also use quinoa instead of rice if you like.

I also used a healthy helping of chopped red onions. This helped to give it so much flavor without having to rely on several different ingredients. All I used were salt, Italian Seasoning Blend, red onions, and of course…lentils.

Italian Lentil Meatballs

This vegetarian friendly Italian Lentil Meatballs pairs perfectly with your spaghetti dish packing a ton of flavor.
Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Total Time: 30 mins
Course: Main Course | Cuisine: American, Italian, Vegetarian
Keyword: Lentil Meatballs, Lentils, Meatballs, Vegetarian
Servings: 12 meatballs

Ingredients
1 cup Lentils
1/2 cup cooked white or brown rice
1/3 cup chopped red onions
1 tsp salt and pepper
1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
1/2 tsp olive oil for cooking

Instructions
1. Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil and add in your lentils. Allow to boil until tender
2. Using a food processor or fork, mash your lentils until a grounded consistency
3. In a mixing bowl add your mashed lentils, cooked rice, chopped red onions, Italian Seasoning, and salt and pepper and mix everything together
4.Take a large spoonful of the grounded mixture and begin forming medium sized meatballs in the palm of your hands
5.In a frying pan on medium-high heat, add a small bit of olive oil for cooking
6. Gently add your meatballs to the frying pan, allowing each side to cook until a crisp outer crust begins to form
7. Remove meatbals from heat, and enjoy with your choice of sauce!

Notes
You can use red onion or yellow onions if you like
You can use any other type of oil, just as long as you have something to coat the pan
You don’t have to use rice. You can also use breadcrumbs or quinoa if you prefer

Buffalo Chickpea Dip

Monday, July 29, 2019
Can you believe that we’re already at the end of July? Man this summer is flying by. But, the cookouts are still rolling.

My husband and I love throwing gatherings. This past weekend we decided to invite a few friends over. Nothing over the top. Just a nice time out with friends. We served your usual cookout food, but I wanted to serve a different appetizer.

Buffalo Chickpea Dip

Usually I’d go with Deviled Eggs or make Pasta Salad, but this time I created a Buffalo Chickpea Dip. In other words, it’s a fancier version of hummus.

This Buffalo Chickpea Dip is basically a meatless recreation of buffalo chicken dip. The major differences is that I didn’t use chicken and I opted out of the extra layer of cheese (shocking..I know).

But like most of my recipes, there is no right or wrong way to do it. You can add cheese or you can top with cilantro instead of parsley.

Buffalo Chickpea Dip

This Buffalo Chickpea Dip is a great meatless version of your Buffalo Chicken Dip. Perfect for any party.
Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 10 mins | Total Time: 15 mins
Course: Appetizer, Snack | Cuisine: American
Keyword: Appetizer, Buffalo Chickpea, Chickpeas, Dip
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
1 15 oz. canned chickpeas
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/2 cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
1 tsp crushed parsley for topping
1/3 cup shredded four cheese blend optional

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Rinse and drain your canned chickpeas
3. In a food processor or blend, grind chickpea until a smooth consistency
4. In a mixing bowl add your chickpeas, hot sauce, and ranch dressing. Mix until everything is evenly mixed
5. Add your dip into a baking dish or bowl. Sprinkle cheese over top
6. Allow to bake for approximately 5-10 minutes or until cheese has melted
7. Let cool for a few minutes before serving