So hard to believe that summer is over and the kids are back to school. This year I have a first and fourth grader. Big changes as this year they are in two separate buildings. Grant reminded me in the way to their open house that they won't be in the same building agai til he is a sophomore. I told hi not to remind me of that again. The thought of that already makes me sad!
So here is to new teachers, fall, football, cooler weather, and back into our fall sports and face routine!
So we found out yesterday that my son has food allergies. I knew last yr that I had some food allergies, but never thought of the kids having them. They had not showed any signs of issues. Well in the last few months my son has got eczema patches on the backs of his knees. After taking him into the doctor we decided to do some allergy testing. Fast foward to yesterday and our world is changing. I've gathered recipes and cookbooks. Reached out to friend for some help in areas...now the search for a good grocery store that carries stuff we need is next on our list. The closest Whole Foods in 1.5 hours away so for us it's not an option unless I make a once a month trip. Any suggestions? We would greatly appreciate any you could throw our way. My son's first question was if he could eat bread with his goulash....I assured him yes...just different noodles and different bread. ;)
Ok so the last few nights we've had dinner with leftover Easter food and then one night I wasn't home to cook so last night was the first night I've had a chance to fix food from the pantry. Simple and quick was the objective b/c Grant had baseball from 5-6:30 in one town and Gracie had dance from 5-6 in another. So since a crock pot meal wasn't planned ahead I had to do a throw together later in the evening.
Meatloaf "muffins"
Baked beans
Chips
Yogurt
Meatloaf Muffins
2 pounds hamburger
4 eggs
3/4 sleeve of saltine crackers
2 tbsp minced onion
Mix together and shape into balls small enough to fit into a muffin pan. They can be heaping. Throw into the oven at 375 degrees for approx. 30 minutes or until brown inside. I always cut one open to double check the inside.
Makes one tray. We had about 5 leftover last night so I just tossed them in the fridge for leftovers for my husband's lunch. This would be great to make ahead and throw into the freezer.
It was a quick and easy dinner!
So my mind has been whirling around with Easter memories, trying to become organized (is that even possible), and thoughts of summer vacation are already trying to creep into my head. Whew. Makes me tired even thinking about it.
But with all of this comes another challenge. I'm challenging myself to clean out my pantry/freezers/and fridge. We may have some hodge podge dinners over the next few weeks but I really need to get some things cleaned out. Just the other day I pulled out of box of jello out of the pantry with an expiration date back in 2010. That gave me the idea. We really need to clean things out which in the end will also help with the whole clean eating/healthier eating goal I'm slowly adapting into our home.
So I'd like to challenge all of you to do the same! Busy open those doors and cook strictly from there. Now don't get me wrong I know over this period I'll still need the basic staples like milk, bread, fruits or veggies, but I'm sticking to basics until my cabinets are cleaned out!
Good Luck!
So last week when I posted my challenge the first thing I was working on is getting away from the dreaded fountain cokes. I'm proud to say that I DID IT!!! Since posting I've only had the equivalent to a medium in a fountain drink! Woot Woot! The desire is gone and the headaches are gone. I'm proud of myself for doing it. It may not seem like a big deal to some but if you only knew how much I drank then you would see. I've been drinking tea and lemonade since. My husband keeps asking how I feel and at first I didn't seem to feel much different but I can already say I'm sleeping more sound. Who knows over time I might see the other differences.
Now I'm thinking of the starting the next challenege!
So we are just a little over 2 months away from my birthday....my 35th birthday. Sounds unreal that I could be at 35...didn't I just graduate from high school? WOW. I'm in a spot in my life where I need some change. I'm feeling a little bit like the old hag now when we go places. Not cool, out of shape, blah blah blah. Why is it the older we get the more head games our poor mind plays on us.
I stumbled upon a blog this past week where the girl was 2 weeks out from her birthday and gave herself a birthday challenge. Her goals were simple but challenging as they were supposed to be. That is when I decided that I needed to do one b/c we've got a busy summer ahead of us and lots of weddings to attend. Which means lots of dress up time and who doesn't love a little dress up time. So from today forward until May 22nd I'm commiting myself to a challenge. I'm hoping that by doing the challenge that long I just form new habits to keep me in line to continue the things I worked during this time. I'm still pulling ideas and figuring out what I wanna do..first challenge is NO MORE FOUNTAIN COKES. Now for anyone who knows me this will be a hard one. This morning instead of getting a coke I made a smoothie. YUM!!
Smoothie Recipe
1-2 Bananas ( I used 2 but will be cutting back next time)
1/2 -3/4 cup of two different kinds of fruit (last night I used raspberries & peach)
handful and a half of spinach
water (amount varies depending on how thin you want it)
Blend in blender.
You can use whatever fruit you have available. It can be fresh or frozen. I've been told if you want your smoothie super cold just use the frozen fruit instead of throwing some ice cubes in there. The color my not look to fabulous to drink but you won't be sorry. My daughter thought this was the coolest thing ever and gulped it down.
So I've already replace one coke I usually have in the morning. Baby steps...that's what I just keep repeating.....Wish me luck. I'm gonna need it!
Wow...hard to believe that we are almost a month into 2012 already. Since my last post I hosted Christmas for my family, hosted a New Yr's Eve celebration with some dear friends, celebrated my son's 9th birthday, went to the Bahamas for 5 days days sans children, celebrater my duaghter's 6th birthday, and to complete our whirlwind Janaury celebrated my husband's 34th birthday. WHEW! Who is worn down...THIS GIRL!
I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world but by the end of January I can hardly function!
So this week I've pulled out the old crockpot to help me with dinner. We are in the midst of swimming/diving season, dance, and basketball. By the time I get home from work some nights we barely have an hour before we have to walk right back out of the door. So I've decided to try and use my crock pot at least 2-3 times a week. Tonight's dinner is "Chicken in a Pot"
6 chicken breasts
1 envelope Italian dressing
6 oz. cream cheese
1 can cream of chicken or mushroom soup
4 oz. mushroom pieces
Cook chiekn sprinkled in dressing packet in crock pot for 6-8 hours on low. Do not add water. When done cooking, stir in rest of the ingredients, turn crock pot to high and heat through (about 30 minutes.) Serve of rice of noodles.
We will be eating ours over noodles since my husband and son don't eat rice.
Each morning my daughter wakes up so excited to take one more link off of her Christmas Bell....and every morning I get a little bit more panic in my system. Why is it that every year I feel like I'm ahead of the game until about 3 weeks before. My panic for today is a gift for my daughter's dance teachers (which up until last night I was thinking she only had one.) And what do you buy them? I'm thinking just a simple box of mixed chocolates. Then tonight after dance we start working on teacher gifts for Friday's party. Tomorrow night is making Christmas Whoopie Pies for my daughter's class and finishing up the rest of the teacher's gifts and getting things packed up and ready to go for Friday morning. Which I've decided to take them to school b/c I'm afraid the gifts nor the Whoopie Pies will look like they should by the time they get there. Did I mention that Friday is the kids last day of school for 2 whole weeks. That means my children will be hanging with me at work for the next two weeks. Not sure if that's good or bad.
I love this time of yr but it's approaching to quickly! I need about another month. Please?
I always have good intentions of blogging...but really the time just flies by these days. If I don't update my blog at work I never get it done. Yes I'm aware I shouldn't be doing it at work, but it happens. Oh come on...I'm sure you've done it at least once or twice. I can't be the only bad person..admit it. That's the first step.
So I supposed since I haven't caught with what I'm thankful I need to just make a list...I'll work on that and get back to you.
Dear Snow,
I did not...I repeat DID NOT need to see you already today. Yes I realize that the upcoming holiday season will be here before we know it, but I'm still not quite ready. The wind cut through us last night walking from Awana to the car. I hate that feeling. So please stay away a while longer...I'm ok with you in December/January/and early February, but that is all.
Signed,
An upset person.
Day 7- I'm thankful for my extended family...My siblings, my nieces & nephews, etc etc. I have been through so much in my lifetime that I seriously would not have survived it without them. They have all been my rocks.
Day 8- Since I mentioned my extended family in the previous thanks..I'm going to talk about them separately...So the first person I'd like to say a special thanks is my sister, Robin. Robin is my best friend. When I was born she was 16 so we weren't close in age by any means so we didn't play dolls together or play dress up together. But through the yrs we have still been super duper close! And the older we get the closer we get. I thank God she is in my life. I wouldn't know what to do without my sister. She is always there for me. We talked almost everyday and some days more then once a day. Love her.
Day 9- My brother, Rod. I'm so thankful for him. Since I was born we've been really close. He is one that I can always go to for a chat. My mom always told me he would cancel his plans to babysit me. What a guy...not many brothers would do that. Most brothers are "too cool" to do that. Love him so much!
I was away at a wedding this past weekend so here are a few days in a row!
Day 4- Halloween Candy- Yup I said it....a few days last week I couldn't have gotten through the day without. Now of course I'm ready for it to be gone.
Day 5- My friend, Jenn. She lives in Australia and is home for her sister's wedding. We can go weeks without talking but we reconnect like we haven't missed a day the second she gets home. Love that girl.
Day 6- My friend, Lyndi. Love that girl. Been best friends forever...our parents took the hospital tours together when our moms were pregnant with us. That girl knows more about me then anyone. She is the one person who can bring me instantly out of a bad mood. Love her!
Again....I'm behind so I'm posting two things I'm thankful in this post!
2.) God....In the past yr we have finally found a church where we feel like we fit in and the people there are just awesome. We have grown in our faith so much in the last yr I think. And the kids are part of a wonderful children's group.
3.) My parents....I lost my Mom about 4.5 yrs ago and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her terribly. She was an amazing mother...I'm so thankful I got to spend almost 30yrs yrs with her. She passed away a week shy of my 30th birthday. My Dad is such an amazing father....he has helped me so much through the yrs and couldn't have been a better dad. I love him so so much!
So yes I'm aware I'm a day late, so today I'll pose twice! I had not even thought about this but saw it on a friend's facebook page and thought it would be a great idea!
Day 1.) I'm thankful for my life...like being alive. It's a great thing. ;)
Meet Chewbacca
My son starts 4-H this coming year and we already knew we were taking hogs, but he has decided he would like to take a steer. Makes this Momma a little nervous knowing that when he shows his steer he will weigh over 1200 MORE pounds then my little guy. I'll probably be shaking in my shoes the day of cattle show.
I enjoyed the fair this yr b/c I knew next year my days of running into the fair to grab a bite to eat and then going straight back home are OVER. I'll be spending my week at the fair for the next 10 yrs.
Let the journey begin......
So I've still been meal planning but dummy me forgot to post about it. Sorry. It's been a crazy last two weeks.
This week we've had...
Monday- Ham Steak, Mashed Potatoes, green beans seasoned with Tastefully Simple's Seasoned Salt, rolls
Tuesday- Cubed Steak, Mashed Potatoes with gravy, corn, rolls
Wednesday- Dance Night Which means it's more of a throw together night due to not being home at supper time.
Thursday- Tator Toy Casserole, corn, applesauce
Friday- Grilling Night...Hopefully having some friends out to swim. Burgers/dogs on the grill, chips,
Do you have one? I know with school starting and schedules becoming more consistent that if I have a routine there is less yelling, arguing, and last minute running around to get things done before the kids rush off to the bus.
This yr it's been different for us because now both of my little ones are off to school. I'll admit it's running more smooth then I ever imagined. My daughter is the type that you NEVER know how she'll wake up. Great mood or horrible...you just never know.
What are some of the things you do to make your mornings run better?
Here are just a few things I try to do to make our mornings better.
1.) Bags are ALWAYS packed the night before so in the morning they are ready to go. Makes the last minute panic of forgetting something just disappear.
2.) Either have clothes laid out and ready to go or have the options laid out for the kids to pick. My son is pretty consistent on what he wears. He would actually wear the same five outfits each week if I'd let him. My daughter likes the idea of getting to choose. It makes it more of a game for her. If she gets a choice she is also gaining a little bit more responsibility.
3.) Keep breakfast simple. This yr a friend suggested making muffins in advance and tossing them in the freezer. I used to make a big production of breakfast and try to make it to fancy. Now we ask the night before what is for breakfast and have it ready when I wake them up. My daughter isn't much of a breakfast eater and we are trying to change that but for now a muffin and milk does the trick for her and I know that belly of hers is full when she gets on the bus.
Hard to believe it is Septemeber already! This yr has really flown by....seems like yesterday we were just celebrating New Yr's. Am I ready for the holiday season...NOPE.I've got so much going on right now with life I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. I need to take time to breathe.
So far this week I've done great with the meal planning...Monday night changed a bit since I ended up going out of town with a friend to use some Old Navy coupons...but I just switched some things around for the rest of the week. Yeah me! :)
Meal planning. It's something that I have good intentions doing and I have all the food for it I just can't seem to get in it in order and get it done. So today I'll start and see how long it lasts.
Monday- Steaks, sweet potatoes fries, corn, and rolls.
Tuesday- Spaghetti & Garlic bread
Wednesday- Crock pot Cubed Steak, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, rolls.
Thursday- Tacos
Friday- Homemade pizza & breadsticks
What is on your menu for the week?
