Hannah Morrison

Yes, I cried writing this…

Hey  y’all! You know, I got on here to write my usual Thursday post about something else (which, yoooo, it’s gonna be good next week haha! It’s Psalm 23!). But, I am actually leaving for North Carolina today and felt like I just really wanted to say “hey” and chat. So, can we do that today… even though it’s a Wednesday? 😉

If you’ve followed The Cake by Hannah since before “Hannah the Mommy Blogger”, first off, THANK YOU. It still amazes me so many of you from so many different walks and places have chosen to include me in some little way in your life for the last 4.5 years. I am so grateful. You’ve become a piece of my life that I cherish. If you’re newer around here, thank YOU for joining in on the fun! Things look a lot different on The Cake by Hannah today than they did 4 years ago, because life has changed so drastically. And since this is a lifestyle blog, it morphs with me. It’s like a digital pair of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants- it doesn’t ever not fit somehow, but it changes depending on the person. Is that a weird analogy? Or are you with me?… lol. It made sense to me.

Though who I am as a person at my core hasn’t changed, my life has morphed and changed into something so different and, arguably, loads fuller than it was when I first started this journey behind a computer screen. And, honestly, much because of you! When we first started this thing, I was a 22 year old newly-wed working a job that was really freaking hard for me and living in the heart of Dallas. I hated Dallas, but didn’t know it yet, and I needed something to be creative and feel at least a little more “me”. Hence, a blog. I love to write- it was my college degree!- but I wasn’t doing it at all, and I felt like a piece of my soul was missing.

I have shared tidbits about that season from time to time over the years, but honestly still thinking about it makes my stomach turn a little. I am still, 4 years later, processing what all I learned while in that season. The good, the bad, and the very ugly. It was quite possibly the lowest low of my life. Have I have told you guys I was fired from my first job out of college on here? I don’t think I have. I have on my devotionals, and it felt liberating to say finally because I have come to terms with it all. I was challenged in ways far beyond “work” and straight to my core of ethics, respect, and learning to honor those in charge regardless of their being “right.” And, in the end I was fired, which was truly God’s grace to me. It gave me severance and 3 months to figure out what I wanted to do with my life after feeling so shot and miserable for a year and a half. I walked out of that office almost literally limping from feeling so dejected and tapped out.

I have spent the last 3 or so years detoxing the things from my life that made me feel inadequate or unhappy, and have replaced it all with simplicity. It truly has taken about 3 years to get rid of the junk I was needing to release. Moving to McKinney from Dallas to be part of Anchor Church was, in so many ways, the best thing that ever happened to me. I got out of a city where money was a central piece to the culture. If you know… you know. Even if you don’t have any, you had to act like you did. I hated it. It was disgusting. It destroyed me, and I never had felt more insecure in my whole life. I had never in my life thought about or cared more about money than living in Dallas. I grew up hardly thinking about money, and this was such a culture shock to me. When we left, I felt a piece of my soul was back. I was rediscovering who I was, who I wanted to be, and what I wanted my life to actually look like.

The next season I started working PT jobs while growing my own business. I launched The Cake Shop. I started sending out weekly devotionals to connect even deeper with you. I got to buy my first home “with you”. Have my son “with you.” Ugh, I just feel sappy. I am so grateful for what my life looks like now, and grateful for how far we’ve come.

Today, The Cake by Hannah is more than I ever even thought it’d be. Sure, my blog is my creative piece still. I love this space the most out of everything I do! But, it’s also morphed into a sister business, The Cake Media Management. It’s created a team of 3 women I love. It’s brought me more than I ever thought, and it’s all because I said “yes” to the Lord not only the last few months but the last 4.5 years. Even when I felt scared as HELLLLLLLL to say “yes.” I turn 27 in exactly a month from today. Going into the final years of my 20’s actually feels exciting, and I look at my mid-20’s with a stamp of GROWTH across the middle of it. I am literally a different human than I was at 22. Heck, even at 25. It’s amazing what happens when idols and fears no longer rule your thoughts, and I have only seen God’s favor and grace the more I squash them just a little bit more.

So, that’s what I wanted to talk about today y’all. I don’t really have much more to say, but can I challenge you my Cake Community? I believe you have a dream inside you, too. It probably looks and sounds way different than mine, but it’s in there. CHASE IT. DO IT. Know why I was so miserable in my first job? Know why I spent the next couple years fighting off lies in my head because of how low I got? My heart felt sick because my dreams had been squashed. They were tucked under the rug of “not practical”. (Proverbs 13:12) I love The MSG translation of that verse! It says “Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.” God isn’t a God of practical though, you guys. He’s the God of big, massive, and unthinkable.

Ask God where that break is waiting, like Proverbs mentions, and squash whatever is holding you back from running straight through it. Thank you, all of you, for being in my life. Thank you for being part of fulfilling the dream in my heart. Thank you for reading my posts, caring for my family, double tapping a pic, sharing about The Cake, and all the things. Thank you.

xoxo,

Han

 

Workouts for the Busy Girl

Happy Tuesday, y’all!!

I know I rarely do posts on Tuesdays, but I have a packed Thursday for content *spoiler alert: I have one HECK of a Mother’s Day giveaway coming atcha!*, and I wanted to make sure you don’t miss this post. Something I truly do get asked regularly (not like “oh my gosh, like so many of you ask me this…” when really it’s, like, two haha) is what my workouts are, what I eat, and all that jazz. Really, just overall lifestyle and what I do to fit it all in.

Here’s the deal: The journey to finding a rhythm and figuring out what’s best for me has been LONG. And, just when I think I find something I love, my season of life changes and I have to adapt. I was a dancer my entire life, and that’s how I stayed fit for the majority of my childhood and into young adulthood. Then I “retired” when I graduated from college, and took up Crossfit. Then we moved, and our CF box was too far so I started to try out cycling and Pure Barre (by far two of my favorite workouts of all time!!). Then I had a baby and couldn’t make any PB classes anymore, and my cycling studio was way too far to keep up with when we moved even further north.

All that to say… The last year has been so hard trying to find something that works for me. I had to join a gym with my husband for the first time in my entire life. All I had ever known was somebody telling me what to do for my workouts, so just walking into a gym full of equipment was horrifying to me. I literally walked in with my head down for 8 months straight to the corner of the gym where I would just do an elliptical for 45 minutes. 8. Freaking. Months. Y’all. All because I was uncomfortable and didn’t know what to do. Does my gym have classes? YEP. But, again, I was too uncomfortable to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. In addition to all the changes and having to adapt to a new routine and workout style, a year ago I literally couldn’t gain weight for anything. 

I always teetered around 113 pounds before baby, but because of breastfeeding I was dipping below 100 pounds no matter what I tried. I ate a ton, I wasn’t even working out at the time to be honest, and frankly just felt JUDGED 90% of the time by people. I couldn’t keep up with the calories breastfeeding was making me burn, and I was losing so much weight. Post-baby, I literally weighed less than I did when I had an eating disorder. I am excited to say, I am now 10 pounds heavier than I was 1 year ago, and have more muscle than I have honestly ever had in my entire life!

I tried out 4 different apps this year that would walk me through workouts in addition to challenging myself to 3 class workouts at my gym a week. This has made me do 3-5 workouts a week! I usually do 3 cycling classes a week + 3 days of the 12 week program that is custom tailored to my goals for 3 workouts a week. (I double up a lot of the time and do the app toning workout before or after cycling.)

Below are the apps I used in order of least favorite to THE BEST.

  1. Peloton: I liked this one, and it was great if you have access to a cycling studio at your gym. I just didn’t prefer their other style workouts as much as others. } $19.95/ month
  2. BBG: Yes, everybodyyyy does this and it’s great! Definitely would suggest it if you want good HITT workouts and a lot of sweat! $48.92 for 12 week program
  3. Centr: This one is cool! It gives you recipes and workouts depending on your goals, male or female, etc. I did a lot of pilates and core stuff with this app. I appreciated their video option to follow a lot. It is a VERY well-made app! Price ranges from $19.99/month all the way to a one time 12 month payment for $119.99.
  4. Bode by Lex: MY FAVORITE. Honestly, this one is arguably the most simple app. And that might be a top reason it’s my favorite. I love the aesthetics… it’s all blush pink. And, I love that it’s by one of my favorite bloggers @alexajeanbrown. It gives you quick workouts that go no longer than 30 minutes, but I usually finish in 15-20. I chose the 12 week Intermediate Program, and am currently in it. I honestly have seen the most results from this one, and am only 3 weeks in! It also has a blog with recipes and community aspects to the app, which I like a lot. $14.99/month

    As far as food goes, I have shared quite a few times about “what I eat”, which feels so odd to share. But, I don’t mind it at all! Because of food allergies to gluten and yeast, and my husband’s allergy to casein (basically, dairy), we have to eat pretty clean by force. We eat a lot of eggs, protein, nuts, avocados, etc. A normal day of food for me is 2 eggs and nuts or a half an avocado, a kale turkey patty from Costco + 2 veggie cakes from Costco, and a meat + starch + veggie. … For real. That’s it. We are basic. I make other things, for sure. But this is a pretty normal, everyday weeknight kind of situation.

    Whatever you choose to do, just figure out something that you love. It’s so important to devote some time to you every day. It’s just a fact that the healthier you are, the better you do in all areas of your life. I am better mom, wife, business owner, and boss when I get to the gym. I promise you won’t regret feeling awesome!

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

It’s May and that means Mother’s Day is just around the corner! I have rounded up some of my favorite gift ideas for those mamas in your life at a variety of price points. From your own mama, to your grandma, to your besties, or -to all you guys reading this because your girl sent it to you…- your wifey. 😉

Whatever you do, be sure to celebrate those mamas in your life. You don’t have to spend a bunch of money at the end of the day to show a woman you’re grateful for them. A “thank you” to the mamas in your life go far. The blood mamas, the foster mamas, the adoptive mamas. Celebrate the women in your life who pour their heart and soul into helping raise up the next generation. The women who are helping shape the future, one tiny set of hands at a time.

So, alas, here are my unique gift ideas for those special women!

  1. Fawn Design Circle Bag:
    Y’all know I love my Fawn Design Diaper Bags! But, they just released a beautiful new leather purse for only $79!
  2. A Front Porch Getaway (this is def on my list…):
  3. Perfume:
  4. HelloFresh Subscription… For real. Because mama needs a break in the kitchen sometimes!
  5. A good book and mug:
  6. Ninja Coffee Maker:
    We have had this a couple months now, and we STILL wake up excited for our coffee! It’s the best coffee maker we’ve ever had, frother included. I promise you, every mom you know needs this.
  7. iLife Robo Vac:
    It’s necessary for every mother. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. NEEDS. THIS.
  8. Wine Glasses + Favorite Bottle of Wine:
  9. Something Nice for Her Face:
  10. A GOOD Candle:

Spring Cleaning List + iLife Robot Review

Today I am pumped to share my spring cleaning knock out list + a review of our iLife Robo Vacuum that I got for Christmas! I don’t know about you, but I function best in a clean home. If my home is frazzled and a mess, my life is usually a direct reflection of that. I try to, most nights, clean up the house and put things back where they belong to wake up to a put together space. It helps me start on the right foot for the day!

For my big cleaning I do a few times a year, I knock things out in  chunks. I try to keep up with these things as best I can in general, but it just rarely all happens. I love a good intentional cleaning every quarter or so to really get the home back to top notch. This list is in addition to my daily/weekly tasks like cleaning counters in the kitchen and bathrooms, floors, and toilets.

Day 1, Baseboards, Fans, Chandeliers, and Windows: Dust and scrub! These are all dustier and grosser than you think.

Day 2, Bathtubs/Showers: I spray our shower about once a week with a general cleaner, but a scrubbing is so necessary and I don’t even realize how dull our white tiles get until I spend time scrubbing. The hard water in our area make a rusty looking build up happen and it is so icky.

Day 3, Closets: I got rid of 12 bags this month y’all. TWELVE. If you didn’t wear something in its due season within the last year, chunk it. You won’t wear it like you keep telling yourself you will next year. I got rid of tons of tees also that I was nostalgic for, but really haven’t worn in 5+ years.

Last year I bought matching hangers for my closet for all of my items, and it made the over feel of my closet less cluttered. Now this year, we are buying bins to fit under our bed and putting away winter clothes during spring and summer and then visa versa. I want LESS CLUTTER.

Day 4, Pantry and Fridge: It’s incredible what accumulates in my pantry and freezer. It’s time to toss anything that shouldn’t be there or won’t be eaten! Take out everything in your fridge, scrub it with safe cleaners, and organize your shelves. Drinks on a shelf, left-overs on another, condiments on the door, baby food in a section, vegetables in another… YEP. I love opening my fridge and seeing it well-organized.

Day 5, Furniture: I have an upholstery cleaner and take to our sofa and love seat a few times a year to give it a good cleaning! All of our pieces around the home get wiped from time to time… but on day 5 of my knock out list I get the good dusting spray and get every nook and cranny. All of our mirrored pieces and frames get a cleaning with a glass and window cleaner.

Day 6, Cabinets: Time to get rid of outdated medicine and make-up! There are drop-off locations for medicine if it is prescriptions you never finished. Get rid of make-up you don’t use, lipstick that is done, etc. Clean it out and keep only what you actually use!

Day 7, Linens and Towels: Get rid of any that are just taking up space or unused anymore. Clean the rest and finish off your clean home with some freshly cleaned sheets! It is like the cherry on top of the sundae!

The iLife Robo Vac: GET IT. Having a robo vacuum was worth the money y’all. I don’t have to vacuum our dark hardwood floors anymore -a former daily task- which is such a relief and gave me a little bit of my sanity back. It’s just one less thing I need to do! I know there’s a ton of different robo vacs, but I am really pleased with the one we got.

The price is super affordable, but you don’t skimp on quality. It can do our entire house on one charge + without needing to empty the vacuum. We have had this one 4 months now, and I feel it’s very good quality. It doesn’t have bluetooth, so you can’t turn it on from your phone or anything… but for about $150 less than other options on the market… I am okay with that ha.

I for real have a robo vac as a mommy-to-be gift now in the back of my mind for my friends. It’s such a help! I cannot suggest it enough. (It’d make a great Mother’s Day gift, too!!)

Three Meals That Actually WORKED From Pinterest

I am all about easy but good meals, but I run out of ideas pretty quick and I find chicken and broccoli on our dinner table way more than I would like to admit. So as a challenge to myself, I find meals on the reg on Pinterest that look like something I could do… and then ACTUALLY DO IT. Sometimes, they’re too complicated or a fail. But here are three meals I have done recently that really did work!

GF Biscuits and Gravy: One night, I just really was craving it. I don’t know why… but I had to have biscuits and freaking gravy. This is my friend’s go-to recipe that we had at brunch a few weeks ago and DANG it was good. So I stole it!

Country Gravy, Drop Biscuits (Sub flour for all purpose 1-1 gluten free if needed!)

Orange Chicken: So. Dang. Good. I had never thought before to use orange jam to create orange chicken… but it made sense and was easy!

This recipe +you can get rice noodles in the ethnic food aisle at my grocery store!

Protein Banana Pancakes: 2 eggs, 1 banana, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp. chocolate protein powder, 1/4 c. gf pancake mix (We use Bob’s Red Mill)

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