Flash Mob

Please tell me I'm not the only one who thinks Flash Mobs are like the coolest thing in the world?  Ok, maybe not in the world...but I love them, seriously love them.  I want to be somewhere where they are, I want to be a part of one...I love watching them!  Of course, I've only seen them on tv or on the internet but they do really exist.  Please tell me you've seen this T-Mobile commercial flash mob?  It's awesome and oh so Christmasy!  If not, watch it now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=vcmfCXwAFs4

And if you are one who dreams of being in one, like me, I may know of one coming up in the Milwaukee area.  I can't disclose the information publicly, but if you are seriously interested let me know...we can do it together!!  Because I don't think I can let an opportunity like this pass me by!

To Have the Imagination of a 4 year old...

This is just a cute story that I thought I'd share.  You will appreciate it more if you know my little girlie.  We were in the car, just talking about her morning at daycare and on our way to school...just chatting.  We had our Christmas radio station playing in the background.  All the sudden...Little Drummer Boy comes on the radio and she QUICKLY jumped in, changed the subject and said, "this is Special Baby's favorite song."  I promptly lit up in a smile and said, really?  I didn't know your babies had favorite songs?! 

For whatever reason, that song means something to that little girl and not a bad one.  I am pretty sure it's the rum pa pa pums that do it.  And for those that do know my girlie...special baby is her favorite.  She's the cutest apparently.  Boy baby is the next favorite (because I then asked her if he had a favorite song and she said no.) 

Now every time I hear Little Drummer Boy, I will think of my little girl and her Special Baby :)  and now so will you :)

My Thanksgiving

It's no secret..Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday.  I really don't know why I dislike it so much, I just do.  I guess it's just been one of those holidays that's never been super traditional to me or meant a whole lot.  Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for MANY things and I sort of reflect on that each year, I just don't love all things Thanksgiving.  (I do love the HUGE paper full of ads that comes to my door that morning and all the shopping that now starts at midnight though...which many people despise!)  Its mainly the food...I don't love turkey, I really don't like mashed potatoes, I can do without stuffing and rolls and corn and I hate gravy!  Pumpkin pie is ok if you don't have crust and any other pie I can let sit...I'm just not a pie gal.  I like veggies, but up until I came along there were no veggies at my husband's family's Thanksgiving...weird!  Oh wait..corn!  I remember having to explain that corn is not a real vegetable...ugh!  Anyway, I digress.  There are a couple things I like and like I said those are veggies (pretty much anything except green bean casserole...that's making healthy veggies unhealthy!) and fruit!

I also like the sales that come along in the grocery stores this time of year on that produce.  So, I take advantage of those sales and this year decided to create MY THANKSGIVING!  What I would actually prefer to eat on Thanksgiving.  Much healthier (and yes, I know...Thanksgiving is not the day to be healthy...blah blah!)  Everyday is a day to be healthy darn it!  Yes, I eat sweets and treats and not so good food sometimes, so can you,  but it's not necessary to make an entire day out of it!  My hubby does, I just can't.  I'll pay for it for days...just not worth it.  Anyway, so I had some cranberries, sweet potatoes and a boatload of squash in my fridge just waiting to be used.  Tonight, I used them.  I made my pre-thanksgiving, thanksgiving meal :)

I wish I would've taken a pic, it was pretty! 

Turkey Tenderloin:  rubbed with dijon mustard and sprinkled with thyme, rosemary and oregano...baked at 375 for 50+ min.

Cranberry Pear Sauce:  package of cranberries, 2 pears, 1/2 cup (or less) or agave and a cup of water...to deliciousness!  Very good and SO much healthier than those with 3 cups of sugar!  Recipe can be found here!

Autumn Harvest Salad:  that salad I wrote about here and found the recipe here....I think I'm taking this to Thanksgiving this year.  I will eat it all and be full and happy!  That stuff just screams fall and it's still fall next week no matter what the thermometer says!

Anyway, I loved the meal.  Actually everyone liked the meal.  I think it was the first meal in months (besides pizza night) that my kids didn't complain about anything!  They both asked for seconds of the cranberries and finished their plates, in a timely manner!  Perhaps it'll have to be my thanksgiving everyday!

Are you like most people and love Thanksgiving or are you like me and love shopping?

Autumn Harvest Salad and then some..

I just remembered what I forgot to do yesterday.  Share this recipe with you!  I was reminded while I was eating my lunch which obviously was the leftovers from our "halloween supper" last night.  First I'll tell you what we had.  We (well, the kids) had yummy Kraft mac and cheese in halloween shapes (thanks Aunt Laura!) and mummy dogs made with our favorite TJ's Mango Chicken Sausages.  (btw...if you haven't had these you are missing out...BIG TIME!)  and THIS delicious salad...from one of my favorite foodies.   Oh MY...it was more than delicious!  I think I'm going to make more.  like now because I ate all the leftovers...what will I have for lunch tomorrow?

(image courtesy of How Sweet it Is)

Naturally I can't seem to follow a recipe exactly, right?  Well, it's true!  BUT...let me explain.  I couldn't do this recipe exactly because I refuse to pay $2.50 for ONE pomegranate and $5 for one bottle of POM juice!  That is crazy talk!  Talk to me in about a month when pomegranates are $1 each...because I love myself a good pom, but remember, I'm also super cheap!  So...I left out the pomegranate arils and made different dressing because of those reasons.  Otherwise, I followed the recipe exactly!  Make it...now.  Go cut up some squash and sweet potatoes and apples.  You will NOT be dissappointed!  I also used a Whole Wheat loaf of bread that I found at Sendiks.  It was one of those big old thick oval shaped loaves...whatever those are called.  Clearly I don't know! 

So, left out the poms and replaced the dressing with THIS yummy dressing!  Pumpkin Cider Vinegarette...it had me at the name.   I had seen this salad before and figured they were similar enough so the dressing would taste good. I think I was right.  It was very very good!  I made extras, thankfully and now I'll make even more! 

Ok, I won't ramble on about a salad anymore, but I will tell you that I think I will make this until squash and sweet potatoes are not good anymore, which for me means spring when I can't stand to look at winter "fruits" anymore.  Then I'll just replace them with berries or something.  Let me know if you try it... and even more if you LOVE it like me.  What can I say, doesn't take much to make me happy does it?  Salad?  REALLY?!  Man, I need a life!  :)  Happy Tuesday!

It's Hard Being a Mom

This post was inspired by a little 4 year old girl that said those exact words to me this morning.  Here's the kicker...it wasn't my 4 year old girl!  My girlie had her BFF sleepover last night (not because we normally have 4 year old sleepovers but in this case it was pretty much like having family over and because her mom and dad needed a sitter :)  At any rate, I was brushing their hair this morning and the girls were chatty and needing twin hair.  So, admist our conversation she breaks out..."It's hard being a mom."  I said yes, sometimes it is.  And she said, yea, you have to cook supper all the time...and drive a car."  I said, yes, and lots of other hard things sometimes too. After I chuckled at the very grown up comment, I started to think...

It is hard being a mom.  I mean it's also one of the most rewarding jobs in the world as well.  Recently one of my new co-workers asked me if I only worked part time and I said yes and he said what about your husband?  I said he works full time, normal hours.  And he said, oh, so he's the one that brings home the bacon and you sort of just work a little in the morning and then do whatever.  And I thought to myself...kid...if you only knew...but then politely said, well, I work in the mornings and then I go home and run kids around, do homework, make supper, I'm a mom!  and he kind of looked at me and said, oh. and that was it.  Yea, I just screw around for 6 hours in the morning at work and then head to the spa the rest of the day...NOT!!!  It is SO much more than that!  If I could even make it to the spa one day this year that would rock!  and for those moms that work full time...I can't even imagine how hard that is and I probably will have to some day but that just makes your job a a mom even more hard work!  I'm not mad, nor do I have anything against this little 22-23 year old guy who really is a nice guy, just needs a little world reality check!

I'm not sure anyone really knows or appreciates moms until they are one.  I know the minute I became a mom I appreciated my mom ten times more than I ever did.  It's just a new look on life.  It's exhausting, rewarding, crazy, fun, awesome, frustrating, disgusting, surprising, and many other things and the best (or sometimes worst) thing is that it's never the same thing 2 days in a row!  There are many times where I look at my friends or family members that have chosen not to have kids or who don't have them yet and think...ah...smart move.  And then think about those days before we had kids and all I could do was count down the days til we could have kids or dream about having some.  It was just never a thought to me that I didn't want to be a mom.  I don't think I would change my mind now if I could even though I think I've had the worst 2 weeks of my life with my kids lately...I've probably had thousands of good weeks that outweigh the bad! 

So, to all you moms...it is hard to be a mom and that's ok because in the eyes of a 4 year old...driving a car (so all those millions of trips you have to make a day) is hard work!  and as you are making supper tonight, know that at least one child thinks you are working hard!  (even if you are just throwing in a frozen pizza!)  It was nice to hear that someone (other than another mom) understands...even if it wasn't my own children.  (although I did make sure she was listening :)

Happy Birthday?

To you?  Did you know Oct. 5 is the most popular birthday?  I guess if you think about it...you can think back as to why that might be the case and well...I guess lots of couples really do enjoy New Year's Eve, huh?  Anyway, you can listen more about that and the least popular birthday (Feb. 29 of course) here. There are some interesting facts!

So... my birthday is in a couple weeks and I was a couple weeks late according to my mom.........:)  I know...gross...sorry!!  :)

GO BREWERS!!!

photo courtesy of  brewers.com

National League Central Champions!!

Way to go Milwaukee!!!!!

Can't wait to see what happens next!



http://www.brewers.com/

"Leftover Rice" Pudding

Hi Friends.  I have so many things I want to share, I hardly know where to begin.  But I do know where to begin because I don't have a lot of time, that's been a huge problemo of mine.  I have all kinds of ideas in my head and no time to act on them....GRRRRR....  it is beginning to be my very favorite time of year and I want to decorate and shop and make my house into a fall festivity....hopefully I will find time before fall is over to do that!!  In the meantime, I will just share with you a recipe that my boy practically did a dance over.  In fact, his words were.."dad, you have to try this, it's so good.  No, dad, it's not just good, it's REALLY good."  In other words... if you don't have an overly picky kid, they will probably like it and if you are like us, there is always leftover rice after chinese takeout...a perfect ingredient for this!

Leftover Rice Pudding with Cinnamon and Raisins (adapted from Robin Miller)

2/3 cup skim milk

1/2 of an 8 oz. container of light cream cheese

2 cups leftover rice

1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins (actually, apricots would probably be delish too)

2 T honey

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

-In a medium saucepan, stir milk and cream cheese until blended and smooth.  Add remaining ingredients and set over medium heat.  Bring to a simmer, then continue to simmer until the liquid reduces and the mixture thickens...about 10 min.  Make sure to stir frequently!  Serve warm, cool or at room temp.  I served it warm right away and YUM!   Also chilled and served...YUM!  Also, chilled and reheated 2 days later and yep, still YUM!

**  Ideally I would like to make this with brown rice (just so much healthier!) but I can't stand the boxes of leftover rice we get with Chinese food just sitting there so I had to make something.  This was a nice sweet (but not too sweet) snack and side dish.  I cut out some of the sugar and replaced with honey and I think it was absolutely perfect!  A great fall treat!  Let me know if you try it and more importantly if you like it :)

Until I get more time to blog...

Parent's Independence Day!

or..first day of school!

Just wanted to share a little treat that I made for some of my very favorite kiddos!  (yes, my own, but also others...)

Saw these many different places but here is my version and what I used!

Apple Rice Krispie Treats

Followed the "typical krispie treat recipe"

3T Butter

1 bag large marshmellows

6 cups rice krispies

red food coloring (I used Wilton gels)

pretzel pieces

green tootsie rolls cut into leaf shapes or green jelly beans sliced long

-Melt butter and marshmallows over low heat.  Add food coloring when almost melted and stir until all red! 

-Remove from heat, add rice krispies and stir until well coated and everything is red!

-Spray your hands with cooking spray and grab a handful and shape into balls.

-Smoosh a little pretzel stem in there and a tootsie roll leaf (or whatever you decide to use..just make sure it is sticky or it'll fall off!)  Let stand 20 min. or so to "harden"

Serve or dress up in a little bag and deliver to some awesome kids!







A Perfectly Peachy Breakfast

I struggle with changing up my breakfasts big time!  Mostly because I usually have to eat fairly quickly, so I just make my usual yogurt, fruit and kashi...give or take.  But when I have a few extra minutes I am trying to make a little more variety in my breakfasts...trying to get that protein punch first thing in the morning to help me start my day off nice and satisfied and energized!  Here is one of those breakfasts that I make when I have a little extra time.  And, if I would think about it more often I could actually prepare some of it ahead of time and then it wouldn't take any more time than my yogurt!

Cottage Cheese, Peach and Oatmeal Crisp

1/2 cup 1-2% cottage cheese (I prefer Daisy because it's super natural)
1 peach or nectarine diced
cinnamon to taste
1/4 cup old fashioned oats
2 T sliced (or chopped) almonds

-In a dry skillet combine oats and almonds and toast over medium heat (about 5-7 min)  Watch carefully so they don't burn!  (this is the step that could be done ahead of time and then stored in a container.  Could also be toasted in the oven like granola)  Add a little cinnamon when the oats are nearly toasted and stir for one last minute.  Set aside to cool a bit.
-Combine chopped peach and cottage cheese in a bowl.  Add cinnamon to your liking.  Mix up.  Add oat mixture and combine. 
-EAT UP and know you started your day with a healthy, protein packed punch!!

No Bake Energy Bites

Yummy snack time!!!  Look at these babies...good enough to eat, right?

(photo courtesy of smashed peas and carrots)

Oh yes they are...and healthy too!  I saw this recipe here and quickly adapted it to suit ingredients I had on hand!

My version of No Bake Energy Bites:
-1 cup Old Fashioned Oatmeal
-1/2 cup Chunky natural peanut butter
-2-3T Honey (I was running out so I literally squirted all that was left plus a squirt of Agave)
-1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
-1/2 cup ground flaxseed
-1 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients together until very well blended in a bowl.  Put in refrigerator for about 1/2 hour or more and then take out, form balls and store (or eat now!) in fridge in a tupperware type container. 

If you look at the original recipe...I clearly didn't use nearly the amount of honey...like I said, I was out but for sweetness, they totally didn't need it.  I even taste tested them with one of my fave client taste testers and she agreed :)  They were a little crumbly...I mean they held together but once you bite into them, they crumbled so the honey might be a good glue!  Clearly didn't add chocolate chips either.  I wanted to do some dark ones but didn't have any so figured they'd be much healthier without them.  And finally, only used 1/2 cup coconut, mostly because I like coconut but I don't LOVE it, so I just took half and I think that was perfect, but you choose.  I'm pretty sure these babies are somewhat forgiveable!

I think I might have to try them using almond butter and maybe adding some cinnamon and raisins too!!  Happy Snacking (without turning on your oven!)

Raw Corn?

So I am just dying to know...

1.  Did you know you can eat corn right off the cob without cooking it?  Like straight from the farm to your mouth?

2.  Have you ever tried it?

More details to come as to why but I tried it today and I was shocked.  This corn was so incredibly sweet and delicious (so I ended up buying some...) but it tasted really good and crunchy straight off the cob from the sweet old farmer himself!  I was definitely skeptical...

or am I just really uneducated on my corn and did you all know that?!

My kids and I tried raw corn for the first time together!  Them at ages 4&7 and me at 35...hmmm....

Here I am....

I'm not going to give excuses or tell you why I haven't blogged...I've just been busy and haven't taken the time because I didn't feel inspired.  done.  Now, what I want to show you today is something that was made for me I'm pretty sure.  Maybe I should give this to my hubby for our anniversary... (but I don't want to lie to him... :)

Almost a little too early for me to think about candy corn but I've seen them and I know they are out there...I just need the crisp fall air and the month of October and then I am in!!  ( I have to limit myself to one month or I gain 25 lbs in candy corn!)  You can find this print here and some other REALLY cute ones too!



A Must for Ice Cream Lovers!

It's been well documented that I love ice cream (and so do so many people!)  Ice cream does not love me however...boo!!  But I do much better with frozen yogurt (and a lactaid...sad, but true.)  Anyway, if I'm going to have one treat on this planet it's gonna be ice cream or some form of it.  I'm a big fan of Edy's Slow Churned...both the Light Ice Cream and the Frozen Yogurt Blends.  Well, we had 2 flavors this weekend that should NOT be missed!  They were both creamy and beyond delicious, seriously!!!

 Do NOT miss the Black Raspberry (it acually comes in regular and slow churned with very little difference in nutrition content, just preference of style of ice cream I guess)  Anyway, it's a May-August flavor only so hurry to your nearest grocery store!

I've tried Key Lime Pie flavors before but this was knockout above the rest, that's all I have to say!

Just needed to share.  Ice Cream is meant to be shared!!  and don't forget...July 18 is National Ice Cream Day!!!!!

My yummy summer supper

Came from this inspiration...

Avocado lime fruit salad from the amazing Jessica at How Sweet it Is!

Been eyeing this baby up for lots of days now but I needed avocados.  and peaches.  oh wait, strawberries and blueberries too.  darn it!  Well, went for my Trader Joe's run yesterday so I stocked up on all things delicious and organic.  I did not end up getting blueberries so I made a few substitutions there and I wanted to make this into a meal somehow so here's what I came up with!

First of all, I got some Mango Chicken Sausages from TJ's yesterday and remembered how much my boy LOVES them, so I asked him if he wanted them for supper and he screamed with joy....YES!!  I love those!  Ok, those would be good with this salad but I wasn't so much wanting sausage...I was wanting fish with this salad more salsa like (maybe?) on top.  No fish...but we have shrimp.  Ok, so I defrosted the shrimp.  and then somewhere it came to me this amazing concoction...

Avocado Lime Shrimp and Spinach Fruit Salad

-8 or 10 strawberries, quartered

-handful of raspberries

-2 nectarines, diced

-2 avocados, diced

-juice of 2 limes

-1 T honey

-mint (from my garden...yippee!!)  my first garden experience!

-Several cups of fresh spinach

-1/2 lb. small (or if you prefer larger) shrimp

-1 tsp garlic

-Chipotle chili pepper

-Whisk juice from 1-2 limes, honey and a few springs of chopped mint in a bowl.  Combine all diced fruit (very forgiving if you want to use other things) and stir to combine.  If not serving immediately, wait to dice and add avocado so it doesn't get too mushy!

-Saute garlic shrimp in skillet (with about 1 T olive oil) over med heat until warmed (if pre-cooked) or couple min. each side until pink and opaque.  While cooking, sprinkle with chipotle chili pepper.  When finished, set aside and squeeze about a 1/2 lime juice over. 

-For a single serving...place spinach on plate, top with a scoop of the fruit salad and a handful or so of shrimp.  There is enough "dressing" or sauce from the salad to coat the spinach and you can always whisk up more if you need to.  I then served them with the mango chicken sausages on the side (some had on whole wheat buns, some did not.)  I had just a half of sausage and a huge salad while the kiddos has a smaller salad and a whole (or then some) sausage!  Soccer dad...well, he had lots of both :)  Everyone seemed to really enjoy this meal.  Even my picky girlie ate the salad.  It was quite delish and extremely healthy, I must say!

I then looked outside as I was eating this and thought huh, not really a day I would normally eat such a summery meal but maybe that's exactly why I ate it and really enjoyed it...because I needed a pick me up from all the dreary days we've had!  Pretty sure this would taste awesome on a warm summer day with a mojito (to compliment all the mint of course :)  I'll let you know.  Definitely trying again.  Thanks for the inspiration from your beautiful pictures Jessica!

The Kissing Hand

Has anyone heard of this book?

A random mom at tumbling class was trying to think of the name of this book (I think...) to help my little girlie overcome her separation anxiety fear.  Until she gets REALLY used to a situation, she screams, holds onto me for dear life and just plain out refuses to go to her activities (that she is always super excited about at home!)  I'm not sure it's the separation anxiety as much now as she did point out to me that she didn't know anyone in her tumbling class and didn't like that, so it may be more of that but nonetheless, we still have some issues.  She is going to Safety Town right now too and went crying 5 days in a row and then this week, not one tear.  The head teacher literally had to peel her off of me one day...ugh!  It's frustrating and heart braking all at the same time. 

Anyway, I looked up this book and it seems like it might be a perfect book for separation anxiety.  I was just wondering if anyone had seen, read or used it before to get a more personal review.  I am fearful that for 4K preview (Jumpstart to JK) that we may have these same crying issues and then heaven forbid on the first day of school...that will kill me as she is my baby going off to the big school.  So, I need to nip this in the bud soon!!

New Members of our Family

We have a ginormous fish tank (30 gallons I guess...) in our basement nice and pretty and recently cleaned with no fish!  Ok, we have 2 catfish things that are more or less bottom feeders.  Anyway, huge tank...no fish.  You see the problem?  So we took a family outing and our family grew..by 2 schools!!!  In this case, it was 2 schools of 3 fish each.  Girlie picked out one school (striped), boy picked out the other (black).

And without further adeiu...our new fish!!

Welcome to our family fishies...hope you like it here!

and side note...we started naming them and it just got silly, so we stopped and they are just fish!

You should make these!

If you are craving something sweet and DELISH, you should make these... S'more Brownies! and BELIEVE ME...you will want s'more!   Super duper easy and you will get lots of compliments :)  I had no idea, I just happened to have the ingredients and needed something easy and fun for some of my favorite dads (and other favorite friends) for Father's Day!

photo courtesy of http://www.verybestbaking.com/

They are absolutely not healthy in any sort of way but they are super yummy.  You can get the recipe here.

Not that I really changed anything, but I did use Betty Crocker's Low Fat Brownie mix (because it's my fave by far) and Nabisco's Low Fat Honey Grahams...just because that's what we had.  Oh and I need to make another pan of them tomorrow to send home to the newest member of our family... he is my biggest treat fan and I wouldn't want him to miss out on these!  So I may have a few extra and if you leave me a really nice fun comment I might deliver some to your door :)  (local deliveries only!)



Pizza Dogs

Sound good or completely disgusting?  Well, I am here to assure you these were a family hit and believe it or not, healthy too as there is nothing that is actual "dog" about them except the bun.  I will have to give you estimates on my measurements as I literally created this recipe with leftovers in my fridge for a busy baseball night on the go!  But it was one of my best. meals. ever.!!! (at least according to the boys)

I made about 3-4 "dogs" out of this:
-whole wheat hot dog buns
-2-3 chicken italian sausages (removed from casing and browned)
-handful of turkey pepperoni, diced
-pizza or marinara sauce (about 1/2 cup) or to desired "sauciness"  (new word!!)
- 1 tsp. oregano or italian seasoning would probably work well too...my sausages were super duper tasty so I opted for less seasoning.
-shredded mozzarella cheese

-In a skillet...saute chicken sausages (or in my case throw in the leftover sausage that I had in the fridge and start warming) over med-med high heat.  When cooked through, add pepperoni and stir together.  Add marinara or pizza sauce and oregano.  Stir to combine and allow to all heat through.  Place desired amount into a hot dog bun and top with mozzarella cheese.  EAT UP!!

This recipe was obviously so stinkin' easy and a kid pleaser.  Totally adaptable to other ingredients too.  My kids (and by kids I am including soccer dad here) are big sausage/pepperoni pizza kids so I made it with what I had on hand and what they like on their pizza.  Could also add any veggies in there as the meat is browning.  I think I might sneak some sweet potatoes and extra tomatoes in the sauce next time I make it..those are the easiest to hide in marinara sauce :)  Could serve these on any buns as well.  I actually put one of them in a pita (as girlie asked for it and then didn't eat it like that of course..but I did and it was just as tasty!)  Serve a nice salad or cut up veggies along side and you've got yourself an easy peasy kid friendly supper!

Issues...

So I have a bunch of posts ready to go and can NOT download the pictures.  "server rejected"  each and every time...like for weeks now.  Not sure what to do?  Anyone...Bueller?  So, either I start posting without pics (not fun) or have to resolve my issue...  so that's what's been the problemo over here!

In hindsight, I'd like to share a pie crust recipe with you.  I have no pics of this crust anyway...it was made quickly and devoured quicker, and the camera wasn't quick enough to take the pics apparently.

I adapted this recipe from one that my sister gave me for "Raw Strawberry Pie."  but, I needed a little more dense crust for my Raspberry Frozen Yogurt Pie.

"Pie" Crust:
-1 cup almonds
-1 1/2 cup dates (I used half pitted and half Medjool...yummy!!)
-1/2 cup toasted oatmeal (used quick oats and toasted them on med. heat in a dry skillet)

Place almonds and dates in a food processor and grind up until they form a paste (similar to homeade larabars)  Put in a bowl and then add the toasted oatmeal.  I stirred with a spoon and then just got in there with my hands to really get it all combined.  Spread in a 11x7 pan.

Now..for the "pie"
-1 carton raspberry (or your fave) frozen yogurt. (the almost 1/2 gallon size)
-1/3 cup raspberry simply fruit spread
-handful fresh raspberries
-the ever so healthy cool whip!!  (which I do plan to experiment with one day and replace but, like soccer dad told me..it's a dessert honey, it better not be all healthy!...true 'dat)

-Place about 1 container (give or take a bit) of frozen yogurt (softened) on top of your crust (no need to bake) and spread evenly into pan.
-Whisk raspberry preserves with about 1 T water.  Pulse in food processor or whisk fresh raspberries separately and then combine together and whisk.  Will form a nice sauce.  Spread on top of yogurt.
-Top with about 1/2 container (give or take) cool whip or favorite whipped topping. 
-Grab a chunk of your healthiest dark chocolate and shave right on top of the cool whip for a pretty presentation and just that little extra kick of antioxidants, I mean flavor :)
-Place back in freezer for a few hours and get ready to have happy guests! 

I really liked how this turned out. I brought it to a cookout and everyone liked it a lot (at least they said they did) and I was really happy with my experiment.  I felt much better eating this crust rather than a graham cracker or cookie/butter crust.  and bonus...it was also a little more filling :)

Kettlebell Hell

See this baby?

He is going to be the cause of all kinds of soreness tomorrow I'm sure!

My boss made up a challenge for all of the trainers called the Kettlebell Hell Workout.  He designed it (without trying it...silly guy!) and we were allowed to "practice" it throughout the month of May but this week is designed as the "competition week!"  We have a dry erase board up in our office so everyone's times can be written in.  You can try the workout as many times as you want.  It has to be timed with this specific stopwatch by another trainer and there are a few rules with how how the kettlebell has to swing and when it has to touch the ground etc.  Nothing big, just details so no one cheats.  I hate cheaters!  So, I was the first to try the workout out about 2-3 weeks ago just to see what it was like.  I didn't push myself real hard, just kind of kept a steady pace...didn't really time it, just glanced at the clock, about 14-15 min or so.  So, naturally I decided I was going to be the first to put a time up on the board.  I mean then people will try to beat me and I can still do it again (if I can find the time that is) if they do beat me.  I am NOT losing!  There is a male and female winner...$50 giftcard to store of our choice.  (oh, and naturally...bragging rights!)  Let me just say one thing before I move on to the workout...I am one of the "older" or as I like to call myself "mature' trainers there.  There are a couple of us that are within a year of each other and then we have a bunch of kids.  Yes, kids.  Ones that graduated college after I had 2 kids!  There is no way I'm letting some petite, cute in her clothes because she hasn't had kids, kid beat me!  Not happening!  I workout hard for a reason...money apparently in this case!

Enough...on to the workout!

Women:  20 lb kettlebell   Men:  30 lb kettlebell.  Ready....set....GO!

-50 kettlebell swings ...not bad, gets your heart rate up a bit

-50 alternating high rows/pulls... still ok, starting to use those traps/shoulders a bit

-50 kettlebell crunches......still good.  my abs are strong :)

-50 clean/press (25 each arm)  ok, shoulders, now you are getting a workout!

-50 pushups (we got to do chick pushups, thankfully!)  seriously, after all those clean/presses..the last 10 were tough!

-50 burpees... are you kidding me.  Burpees without having to balance on a kettlebell and swing one up to your shoulder height are hard enough, now i have to balance and swing..50 TIMES!!  i did it though and I didn't stop...just kept going, kind of like the energizer bunny!!

You are dying to know my time, aren't you?  12:58.29.  Take that kids!  (actually, I have no idea, they could've beaten me by now!!)  We had a newbie training today and my boss put him in charge of "watching me" and I think I shocked him.  He just kept saying, she never stopped, she just kept going, never stopped.  I did for a split second.  to wipe sweat off my face or it was going in my eye for burpees..that would've sucked!

So, I'm pretty proud of myself.  I worked hard.  and if I have to do it again my shoulders will cry outloud I think.  (mind you, I lifted weights yesterday....oops!) but I didn't know I was going to do this today, I planned on thursday but my day looks pretty booked. 

So, say a cheer for the old lady here.  I want bragging rights darn it (and maybe some cash to buy me something cute :)  or a kettlebell for my house.  one or the other!!

Salads...and their dressings

It's no hidden secret...I LOVE salads!  In fact, I eat one most days of the year.  Seriously.  Since I was prego with my first.  I had cravings for salad and they have never stopped.  Now, here's the difference.  Different things have come and go on my salads and different dressings have been liked, craved, disliked.  I like to eat the traditional lettuce salad topped with whatever veggies I have on hand and whatever protein is available (turkey, leftover chicken, cottage cheese, boca chicken, tuna, etc)  for my lunch or a quickie supper.  Unfortunately, my family can take or leave my salad cravings, so it's usually just lunch.  My new, maybe not so new, but current fave salad dressings to have and mix up are Newman's Own Light Honey Mustard and Light Sun Dried Tomato.  If you have never tried them, do it now!  They are so super yummy, and not super bad for you.  All natural ingredients and proceeds go to charity, so what can be better than that?  Some of my other faves that come and go are : (all light)  Cranberry Walnut, Raspberry Walnut, Low Fat Sesame Ginger (perfect for any Asian type ingredients)  Will try Lime Vinegarette this summer...but feeling like I need to try it with warm temps!!


But, summer is coming so that allows for a whole other category of salads, right?  One of my very favorites...Southwestern Black Bean and Corn Salad.  YUM-O!!  I might make it a lot.  I made it once so far this year, but we've had like one nice summer day, so that's why.  The recipe calls for 1/2 avocado but I like to put in a whole one because I love avocados.  I also tend to add a bit more corn, because I don't measure and this time of year I have to use frozen corn that I just put in a non stick skillet and toast up...works just as well.  So, then, I have leftovers and then I have lunch for 2 more days.  If you add a little cut up chicken, pork or turkey tenderloin that you grilled that same night (yes, might be a trend here) to the leftover salad it makes the perfect, easy lunch the next day.  The avocados stay good in there for about 2 days.  But that's all it's lasted in my house. 

I may talk about salads a lot this summer.  I am always looking for new ones and always want to try them out.  I will let you know if I find one that is worth sharing.  In the meantime...what salad would you recommend I try?  And one final thing...if you are inviting me over this summer I will be happy to bring a salad!! :)

Dear Trader Joes...

Thank you for making me a HAPPY MOM!!  Whenever I visit you, I leave with a smile on my face and not a huge hole in my wallet.  I feel good about what I have bought and I enjoy every. single. bite. of EVERY. SINGLE. THING!! 

I have recently tried 3 new things that I LOVE!!  Your Lite Feta Cheese block...is to die for.  All natural, no garbage and a mear 40 calories and 1.5g of fat per ounce.  The flavor is AMAZING...far better than any lite or reduced fat feta I have ever ever had. 

Your Chipotle Pepper Hummus makes my snack time a joyful experience.  There is more flavor in that hummus than anything I have ever tasted...seriously!  It makes anything you dip into it taste 10 times better.  I usually eat it with carrots and peppers or other raw veggies but a nice pita chip in there...ahhhh...pure love I tell you and healthy snacking at its best.

Finally, your Chicken Andouille Sausage...wow!  That's about all I have to say.  According to Soccer dad...this sausage is awesome!  I used it in my jambalaya last night and wow!  knock my socks off baby!  That was some good eatin' and what I love most...there is no processed garbage...just some chicken, seasonings and not a whole lot else.  Makes a mama happy...and a daddy and 2 kiddos!  Even though their mouths were "burning" they both asked for "more sausage please!"  Now that's something to be happy about!

I continue to ADORE your peanut butter, almond butter and Whole Wheat Cinnamon Raisin British Muffins, as does the rest of my family.  Your produce is out of this world and well, I can never forget the 2 Buck Chuck...I mean really, good, cheap wine too?! (Note:  this is just a limited listing...I don't think I've met a TJ product I haven't liked!)

YOU ROCK TRADER JOES!!!!  Now, won't you please come live a little closer to my house and maybe find a location in central IL...there are a few people there that would really like to have the kind of relationship that I have with you!

White Bean-Green Pea Hummus

Sound a little weird?  That's what I thought too...but I had to try it.  The actual recipe is from Robin Miller, one of my fave oldie Food Network chefs and she calls it Guacamole.  The only thing Guacamoleish (new word!) about it is the color, otherwise I find it most like hummus and an awesome option to get more veggies in your or your kids diet!  The recipe is in her book "Quick Fix Meals."  Love that cookbook by the way!

White Bean-Green Pea Hummus (Guacamole)

-2 cups frozen peas, thawed
-1 cup canned white beans, drained and rinsed (I used great northern)
-2 cloves garlic, minced (I used 2 tsp. of pre-minced)
-2 tsp fresh lime juice (and a little extra...)
-1 tsp ground cumin
-1/4 cup cilantro (which I ommited only because I didn't have any on hand)
-salt and pepper to taste

-Put all ingredients (minus cilantro) in a food processor and let it do the work for you :)  She also suggests to put it all in a blender and puree or to mash with a fork until big lumps disappear.  You can keep it as lumpy as you like.  Fold in the cilantro and season to taste.  I used the food processor because that's how I make my hummus.  And I then added a little extra lime juice as it was processing to get a little creamier texture.  It's pretty thick stuff.

Totally healthy stuff!  My kids were a little turned off by the color at first but I told them what it was (and they love hummus and guac...) and they were game to eat it with their carrots and cukes.  What they didn't know was that they also got peas...bonus for mom!  I have also used it as a spread on my wraps that I love to make.  A little hummus on a flatout wrap topped with spinach, thinly sliced crispy cukes, turkey, chicken or tuna and roll up.. a delicious, healthy, filling meal :)

Don't be turned off by the green color.  I think this is a fun variation to the traditional chickpea hummus.  Don't get me wrong, I love that too...it's just a nice change of flavor.  I may be heading to make more now.  That stuff was awesome for snacks this week!

Things That Make This Mom Happy!

Since Sunday (Mother's Day) I have found myself a little bit happier and I'm not sure there was just one thing that helped, I think it was numerous things so I thought I'd share the little things I have noticed around our house, our neighborhood and just in general that have put smiles on my face and stress somewhere else.

-Wearing flip flops without freezing!
-Wearing short sleeves without freezing!  (yes, finally, WI reached the 70's, at least temporarily...I will take it and enjoy it, at least I know there is more hope now!)
-Dandelion bouquets from my kids...really, that's one of the best parts of being a mom even though not one mom likes them!
-SUN!
-A clean house with open windows!
-preparations for an upcoming family wedding...I LOVE weddings!
-a husband that helps you clean the house on mother's day because that's what you asked for.
-a husband that folds 5 loads of laundry while you are at work and when asked by his wife.."what do you want" he replies, "happy mother's day" even though it was the day after. 
-homeade cards and pictures all over my house that say something about me being the best mom (even though there are lots of days I wonder about that...)
-Watermelon, strawberries, raspberries and all things yummy about summer fruits appearing in the store from the USA and at reasonable prices!
-BASEBALL....mostly the snapped losing streak of the Brewers
-Babies...being conceived, being born...(not here!!!) What's not to love about new life?!
-Anticipation of our Farmer's Market opening...only 10 more days!! 
-The smell of fresh cut grass
-Tulips..everywhere!
-Playing outside without turning into a mud person
-Finally, wearing shorts when I run.  I kid you not, I wore a fleece and pants last week one day...ugh!

I am sure there are more, but literally I have thought about all these simple things this week and they have all put smiles on my face.  You know what they say, sometimes it's the simple things in life....

I hope you take time to "smell the roses" and enjoy the little things...

Happy Mother's Day

To my mother, my friends and all the moms out there....

Have a very happy Mother's day!

and make sure you get treated with a little bit of royalty today, you deserve it! :)

Teacher Appreciation Day 3

This was the easiest, most simple gift, but yet, very useful for a teacher for sure!  I copied the idea from here, just adding my own little personal touches of different bag...lunch bag for school, had to be done, and orange ribbon.  I needed one day where all I had to do was cute and tie ribbon!!

start with $1 store hi-liters

bag and ribbon on hand and printable topper and voila!

hope she likes it!!

Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

For the entire staff at our elementary school, the PTA sponsors a luncheon on the Wednesday of Teacher (staff) appreciation week.  I usually volunteer to bring something as there is always quite the list!  So, I offered to bring a dessert this year (naturally).  Here was my note to the mom in charge:  I love to bake so I'd really like to bring a dessert but if you have too many then I'd be happy to bring something else.  That was a lie, I did NOT want to bring shredded lettuce or tomatoes or taco shells (yep, mexican themed lunch!)  Anyway, dessert was the winner!  So, I didn't want to just bake up some brownies or cookies and let them sit on a plate, I wanted to be unique.  I wanted it to be somewhat personal.  So, I brainstormed a bit with Heather and enlisted her help to help with some graphics (my graphic capabilities are well, not good, let's just say that!) 

and I came up with the idea of chocolate covered pretzels...I mean everyone likes those, right?  They are sweet, salty, perfect for after a mexican lunch (or something like that!)  Used the Wilton candy melts and you know, made them springy and pretty!

tied them up in a little bag with a pretty ribbon and a cute saying...

cheesy sayings are the best!!

Perfect for the teachers to grab and eat there or save for later on for snack! 

Thanks for all you do teachers...we really would be in knots without you!!

On a little side note...the pretzel inspiration came from my sister's idea to have them at her wedding as favors (tie the knot!!)  So, this was also an experiment...trying to see how much chocolate/pretzels we are going to need as well as how long to they stay fresh!  Day 3, going strong!!  So I thank my sisters for forcing me to make pretzels, I think they turned out to be kind of a cute teacher gift too!!

Teacher Appreciation Days 1 and 2

I have been super duper busy but having tons of fun!! Now that we have 2 days of Teacher Appreciation behind us I can show you what they got! 

On Monday, both kiddos brought these little treats to their teachers:

 There was a pack of Extra gum, (red) chocolate covered oreos to look like apples (well, Trader Jo-Jo's :) and some Spring bark...chocolate and leftover Easter candy... super duper sweet (and yummy!)

with a tag attached that said this:

 and packaged up oh so sweet.

I sure hope the teachers liked their goodies because all 3 of our teachers are exactly that...Extra Special and Super Sweet!  I did get my inspiration for those ideas from Skip to My Lou...there was some awesome ideas there!  Oh and we also gifted these to our daycare teachers today...they are just as deserving!

Day 2 consisted of a non-food gift.  I saw this and immediately knew it had to be on my list of teacher appreciation gifts.

 These little buckets are my fave so far!  In them are 2 packets of flower seeds attached to this awesome note and a pair of gardening gloves..tucked behind the notes!!  (I got the buckets in Easter clearance at Target for .50!! had the flowers in my garage sale/throw away pile and picked up the rest of the supplies at the $ store or craft store fairly cheap!)

 printed out on a brown paper bag...loved that idea!

My little girlie wanted to add in a couple of homeade tissue paper flowers...she loves making these, how could I say no to such a personal touch.  You know what?  One of her teachers put it in her hair immediately and fell in love.  I think I might need to make one of these buckets for myself.  So cute and yet, so personal!

Ok, that takes care of Monday and Tuesday.  Stay tuned...there is more fun to come!   Some of these ideas would make great Mother's Day gifts too!  (mom, pretend you didn't just read that :)

We Appreciate our Teachers!

It's Teacher Appreciation Week and boy oh boy do I have some fun things to show you...but not just yet!  I am up to my ears in baking, crafting, cutting, pasting, wrapping, delivering, floral arranging...... but it's been a blast!

I believe May 3 is the "official" teacher appreciation day, so Happy Teacher Appreciation Day to all you teachers out there!  We have been so lucky to have awesome teachers since my kiddos started school.  I truly could never thank them enough for all they do.  So, I have little things each day to express my gratitude.  I hope the teachers take time to enjoy some little things in life because they sure make a BIG difference in the life of a child and for that I am forever grateful!

Stay tuned as I get my little gifts posted.  Wed. is a big day...I took on a big project for ALL the teachers at the boy's school, so once that is finished I think I can handle some more posts!

Take time to thank a teacher today!  Maybe you don't have kids in school but there are a LOT more teachers out there than just school teachers. 

Sports Snacks

I'm having an issue.  First soccer game is Sat. (even though we've hardly practiced because of floody fields!!  coach got so desperate that they practiced in the rain today since it was warm rain...it's not going to be a pretty first game...) and we are in charge of snack (includes snack and drink.)  I hate when I'm in charge of snack.  I know, me, hate being in charge of snacks...food...really?  Yes, you know why?  Ok, here's my issue:

Snacks after sporting events should not include chips.  Snacks after sporting events should not include cupcakes.  They should also not include Sam's club muffins (that are even too large for an adult to eat for breakfast!), twinkies, candy, soda, or Hi-C (not even resembling fruit) drink boxes.  I kid you not, I've seen it all given as snacks after soccer games..these kids were 5/6/7...SERIOUSLY!!!

So, I'm the mom that brings the fruit water.  I'd rather not bring a drink because frankly, they need to drink the water out of their water bottle...especially in the really warm temps.  They just ran around for an hour, they need to hydrate!  So, for pure sake of not embarrassing my son that he has the mom that doesn't believe in bringing a drink, I settle for fruit water.  Really, it's not that bad and Minute Maid brand is even better than Capri Sun...NO HFCS!!  (yea, really, let's add high fructose corn syrup to water...!!!!! you people know how  I feel about that!)  Ok...so we have that covered.  Is bringing 100% juice really all that bad?  No, probably not, I mean if it's 100% juice I'm not going to have a major issue with it.  If it's all that sugared garbage, I have an issue.  No kid needs Capri Sun or Hi-C or heaven forbid Sunny D!!  I have seen Gatorade and while I use gatorade after my long runs, I just don't think it's necessary for a child's soccer game.  If it was 80+ degrees, then maybe.  It's a hydration drink, not a fun drink.

On to snack...  The kids just participated in a sporting event.  They exercised.  We encourage them to participate in activities for many positive reasons, one being exercise and promoting healthy habits (well, at least I hope we do) so let's now shove them full of sugar as their reward for playing their best?  NO!!!  Whatever happened to orange wedges?  That's what we used to bring to my sisters soccer games.  But if I brought those now, I'd be the mom that brought the healthy snack that half the kids threw away.  Well, maybe not, but it's almost socially unacceptable.  We went apple picking during the fall season and I said I was going to bring apples to all the kids. Soccer dad said don't do it honey, you'll embarrass the boy.  I'm doing it this year darn it!!  So I sit here and rack my brain as to what snack to bring 9, 6/7 year old boys for snack after their first soccer game.  Mind you, we have to be careful of nut allergies or I'd whip up a batch of homeade energy bars....those wouldn't taste good without the peanut butter :(   I think in the past I've done lower sugar granola bars or nutri-grain type bars.  Both which I'm not a huge fan of but they are somewhat better than other alternatives.  Not big on bringing fruit snacks and those are like bringing candy and let's face it, they don't fill up a hungry tummy!  Easy maybe, but like I said, I'm trying to make this a whole experience for my child...you exercise, you eat to fuel your body.  No reason to start the attitude that  a lot of adults take...hey, I worked out today, I can eat more garbage.  Not saying I haven't used that excuse ever, but I clearly don't believe in it.  Some people truly do believe in that and kids, well, they need to be taught good lessons to take them into their adult years..

Enough of my preaching.  I'm just sitting here racking my brain trying to be a socially acceptable fun mom but also a healthy mom.  Ahh...the joys of being a soccer mom :) 

What is your go to snack for kids sporting events or maybe even for yourself on the go?  peanut free of course!  If you have any suggestions, PLEASE comment them!!

Oh and as a side note...for little girlie's birthday treat today I made banana raisin muffins...lots of whole grain goodness in those babies, minus the sugar and plus the taste!!  Not sure the older boys would go for those as much as the little tikes did at daycare today!

Hoppy Easter to you!

Easter is upon us...there are many spiritual things to relfect upon on this day and I really do not want to forget those as they are very important.

However, I also wanted this to be a fun and enlightening post so I am going to concentrate on the other VERY important thing about Easter...

You got it...JELLY BEANS!!!  These Brach's classics are my all time very favorite jelly bean in the whole wide world.  I have tried them all...Starburst, jolly rancher, mike and ike (close second :), lifesaver, nerds, generic, etc. etc... we even had a jelly bean tasting contest one year.  Gotta come back to the original staple, Brach's.  Always the same, year after year...

There is absolutely nothing healthy about these babies, but Easter comes once a year.  This is my true chewy candy weakness.  So, I will stuff my self full of them on Easter and then run extra hard the next day!  (good advice from a trainer, huh? :)

What jelly bean will you enjoy most this Easter?  OR...are you one of those VERY WEIRD jelly bean haters?  Your favorite Easter candy would be.....?

Egg Hunt!

So this past weekend I decided to host an Easter Egg Hunt.  I think they are so much fun and the kids are old enough now to really have fun with it.  So, I gathered LOTS of plastic eggs, some candy, some change, some stickers, some silly bands, some bouncy balls and stuffed eggs.  Then....I "hid" them all.  We did the younger kids in the front yard and older ones in the backyard.  It was a lot of fun!

Now, I couldn't just stuff eggs, hide them and have everyone go home, right?  Right!  I may have turned it into a small party...but it was super fun!  My friend Heather was here with her nice camera and decided to take lots of pictures and do a post on her blog about my party!  I've really never been featured on another blog, so I am a little giddy about it...it's a big step in my blog life :)  So, if you'd like to see details about my little egg hunt party, you are going to have to go here!  While you are there you can browse some of the fun parties, crafts and gifts that she has done...she is one talented mama!

Thanks for featuring my party Heather!  Your pictures are much better than mine :)

More Homeade Larabars

Time for another healthy post!! 

I finally got my act together today (well, kind of...) and made some more Larabars.  I think I struck gold today, 2 very yummy flavors...

Apple Pie Larabar:

-1/2 cup dates
-1/2 cup dried apples (non sweetened)
-1/4 cup almonds
-1/4 cup walnuts
-1/2 tsp cinnamon (or to your liking)
-1/4 cup raisins

Put all in your food processor and blend for 2-3 minutes.  I always dump onto a piece of wax paper and then press into a bar form.  These make 2-3 bars.  I made 2 but they are huge!!  But...soccer dad likes himself a hearty snack. 

Banana Bread Larabar (seriously tastes just. like. banana bread!!!!)  might be my new love :)

-step one....if you can't find unsweetened dried bananas...do this:  cut up a ripe (the riper the better) banana into think slices.  Place on parchment paper on a baking sheet (if you don't they will stick like crazy!)  Bake for about 2-3 hours at 200 or until they dry out.  So..do this when you are going to be home for the day and you want your house smelling like bananas :)  I did a couple so I could make a couple batches or have some for snacking.  Way better than those oil and fat loaded banana chips (that my kids happen to LOVE!)  Can also use a dehydrator if you are so lucky to have one :)

now for the actual recipe:
-1/3 cup dates
-1/3 cup almonds
-1/3 cup dried or dehydrated bananas

Place ingredients into food processor for 2-3 min.  Press into bar form.  I got 2 nice size bars out of this and boy oh boy...it was like eating banana bread.  I am so excited for morning snack tomorrow!

Let me know if you've tried any others...there are lots out there.  I think my next endeavor might be the Key Lime.  One of my co-workers was eating one the other day and he kept saying how good it was...now I just need to figure out the right ratio...there is a little more to those... I'll keep you posted!

Happy Healthy Snacking!

Teacher Easter gift

I have been missing my crafting, a lot!  So, I took some time the last week or 2 to get my craft on!  I saw this idea here and immediately put the items I needed on my shopping list.  It seemed easy, I had most of the supplies already and it was darn cute!  I decided these would make a super cute Teacher Easter prezzie.  I love the saying "egg"stra special, so I used that to complete my gift.

 These particular baskets went to the preschool teachers today.  We won't see them anymore before Easter so I made sure to get them ready for today.  These handles look super crooked in the picture but I think I sort of molded them a little more before they left the house.  Using the wire, it is really easy to play around with it.

The teachers both "awwww"ed over them and said how cute they were.  They were also happy with the chocolate.  Apparently a rainy, sleety, cold April day produces teachers to crave chocolate. :) 
And my little girlie was so happy and proud to give these to her teachers.  She was very particular about which teacher got which basket...even though I thought they should be opposite of her, I let her pick.

In our baskets are just some paper grass, a bunny cookie that we made over the weekend, a couple reese's peanut butter eggs and a plastic egg full of jelly beans.  I tried to fit more in there but it wasn't working and I wanted it to still present nicely.

I pretty much followed Stacy's tutorial exactly.  I used the different kind of craft glue but it's what I had.  (note...don't use just regular old craft glue...the wire won't stick well to the ribbon...need heavy duty craft glue!)  You can really change these up to suit your needs or to make them for whomever you wanted.  I do know one little girl that would probably LOVE that rainbow ribbon so I may have to make a few more. 

Hoppy Crafting :)

Where I've Been and What I've been doing...

Where I've been:  (no where exciting by the way!)
Home, work, kids schools.  Grocery store, target, home.  Work. Schools.  Store...REPEAT!!!  I'm pretty sure I live in a time warp. 

What I've been doing:  clearly not blogging!!!
Cleaning, working, dropping off kids, picking them up, letting them play on the playground (while the weather was nice anyway...)  Enjoying the weather while we had it (it's now gone for a while) cooking, blog reading, planning parties (yes, more than 1), planning school functions, and trying so hard to not let my laundry overtake my house!

I'm really not sure what has happened to the last couple weeks.  I realized today that tomorrow is mid-April, officially.  I remember saying that about March...um, yesterday it seems!!

Somehow I managed to make these tonight (only because one of the "parties" is this weekend.  By the way, not a party, an egg hunt with a twist...can't reveal too much, some of those invited are readers!)  Highly recommend them, especially if you are needing a quick, fruity sugar fix!  Anyone that knows me knows that I am obsessed, really like jelly beans, so it had to be done.  If not today, tomorrow, or next week, they were going to get made!!  Why put off until tomorrow what you can bake today :)

So, in a nutshell, I've been being me.  Really and truly.  I've been doing all things that Soccer Moms do best...except one thing..going to soccer!  That starts next week.  I'll probably have to do another one of these same posts in like 3 weeks but then I'll be including soccer AND baseball in it.  I'm kind of excited... my blog name will hold true starting next week.  I am going to have to be super creative with my meals and hope that some sort of miracle will drop in front of me giving me exceptional organization to get healthy meals on the table even with crazy nights.  I'll let you know.

I am in the midst of attempting some new endeavors at work, hopefully I can post about those soon.  Happy Spring Days to you all...may the weather be nicer where you are!!!

Ready for Spring!

I don't think I can take it anymore!  The winter blahs (even though technically it's spring...) have not gone away!  I mean, they started to since I was visiting my parents this past weekend and they actually had spring weather but here in WI...it doesn't exist!  It's coming, I know it's coming (I mean, it BETTER be coming!) so in the meantime I must do things that make me happy and festive around our house.

I've been decorating for Easter with the brightest and most pretty colors I can find!  But I needed flowers.  I think it'll be a while before my tulips actually bloom and I needed something pronto, so the little girl and I whipped up a couple vases worth.  One for the kitchen (aka..my room) and one for her room.  They are beautiful and make me smile.  By the way...I asked my girlie what she wanted to do today on our "home day" and she immediately replied..projects!  (aka crafts) so I needed to be a good mom for her today and sit down and craft!  We did a few other things too but I can't quite show those just yet :)  I was very happy to put all my other work aside and just do projects.  It made us both very happy!

Now, these may be replaced with actual flowers next time I go to the store, but for now they will work!  You can find a very easy tutorial here!

Happy (hopefully very soon) spring!

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal

FACT:  I LOVE BANANAS
FACT:  I LOVE OATMEAL
FACT:  I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER

why haven't I actually used all these things before for my actual breakfast?  Actually, I think I did it one other time, on accident.  But today...on purpose!  I've made these bars before and while they are "breakfast bars" I usually use them for snacks but they combine all these yummy favorites. Today, it was my actual breakfast.

What inspired my creation?  Um, my banana sitting on the counter waiting for me, the peanut butter knife still on the counter from my son's breakfast and my craving for oatmeal since I was at home this morning.  I took a little taste off that peanut butter knife and went, mmmmm...gotta do peanut butter this morning, so I combined the three.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal (1 serving)
-1/2 cup quick oats
-banana (cut up in small chunks)
-1/2-1 T natural peanut butter (I used my FAVE...Trader Joe's Natural Chunky, salted.)
-cinnamon (to taste)
-1 cup water (or milk)

-Place oatmeal, banana, cinnamon in bowl and add water.  Mix around.  Add peanut butter and swirl into oatmeal mixture.  Microwave (because I can't wait for my oatmeal to cook on the stove...when I'm hungry, I'm hungry!) and 2 min. later (for my micro) I have my breakfast.  A delicious delightful, filling breakfast.  I usually add about 1-2 T skim milk after it's done to cool it and get the consistency I like, but that's just me.

YUM!  a nice alternative to my traditional oatmeal, cinnamon, raisin (or banana) and walnut.  I enjoyed the break from the walnuts this morning!

Holding out hope...

...that someday I will be the owner of this baby!  Oh, the things I could create...

and you will see why soon but let's just say, today may have burned out my handheld procter silex 5 mixer.  It was almost smoking...sad.  Kitchen aid...I need you!  Why won't you come down in price?!

To all you that own one of these, I hate you.  Ok, I don't hate you, I'm just EXTREMELY jealous of you! (ahem..my 2 sisters that have recently acquired one...)

And I do think I would like this color too...speaks baking to me..."Gloss Cinnamon"

If you don't already have one, would this be your dream kitchen "gadget" and what color would you own?

Love is Sweet

Another post that goes against everything healthy on this blog!!  BUT, this blog is about the daily life of a busy mom and this little project consumed quite a bit of my life the last couple weeks.  It was so much fun to plan with my sisters and turned out to be just perfect!  We planned a bridal shower for the little one (sister that is)  Our baby sister is getting married in June and this (little...or not really so much anymore) sister loves loves loves CANDY!! and sweets and treats so we went with that theme and made the shower "Love is Sweet"  We even found a door sign in the valentine's clearance at kohls that said "love is sweet" with cupcakes but I forgot to take a picture, darn it!!

The shower was at #2's house (that's sister #2...I'm #1...we're talking oldest to youngest here...) and she lives in a duplex so it can be a little confusing finding the correct door to enter.  So, we lined the walkway with these adorable (thanks to our crafty father!) lollipop stakes and put a cute little cupcake flag in front!

First wall you see as you come into the house and the main focus of our "sweet theme."

Lots and lots of candy.  The center piece actually has cookies on top, one of the bridesmaids had a friend that did that, so there is candy on the bottom and cookie pops that were themey on top.  And musn't forget the super cute lanterns...I want those for my house!  Found at target by a super creative bridesmaid!

we were into wrapping EVERYTHING in cellophane.  Found these guys on clearance after Christmas and was about to put them away when sister #3 says, hey, those look like they could be candy, so we wrapped in cellophane and guess what...they do look like candy ( and now that's how I'll display them at Christmas instead of hanging them from a tree like I originally planned!!)

The other "sweet" focus.  The beverage table.  Lots of jars and tins full of candy as well as the water and the wine...could NOT resist "Cupcake" wine.  It was a last minute "ding" in my head when I remembered getting it as a "cake themed" gift from my friend Heather (who by the way helped inspire some of our ideas...thanks Heather!)

The centerpiece on the beverage table...that is A LOT of candy by the way.  Jelly beans, Mike and Ike's, skittles, sweet tart chews, sweedish fish, snickers minis, rolos, and I might be missing some...

THE FOOD:

So, we wanted to keep up with the "sweet" theme as well as keeping it all colorful.  Forgot to mention that the colors for the wedding are champagne with bright flower accents...so ALL the bright colors you see here!  Anyway, we made a veggie tray with sweet bell peppers, sweetie grape tomatoes, sugar snap peas, and sweet baby carrots.  I'm pretty sure no one noticed all the sugar and sweet, but that's ok...they were a big hit anyway.  We had fruit skewers because they are bright, fun and yummy.  A salad with sweet baby greens and candied walnuts (and a few other things) with a sweet honey dijon vinegarette.  Then...the main course.  Cupcake food.  Yep, cupcake food.  Sisters #2,3 came up with most of these ideas and cooked everything in regular and mini muffin tins.  And we even displayed it on a cupcake tower :)

(From top to bottom there was...) mini mac and cheese, min buffalo chicken bites, crab cakes with tartar sauce, turkey meatloaf with sweet potatoes, regular meatloaf with mashed potatoes and big mac and cheese bites. 

It was all delish, frankly.  I really enjoyed the buffalo chicken and turkey meatloaf with sweet potatoes...but I'm a sucker for anything with sweet potatoes.  It was all very good and eaten up!

For dessert (and forgive me for the lack of picture taking from this point on...) we had an ice cream "throwdown" or "quickfire" for you food network or Bravo fans.  We worked in teams of 2 and everyone got a bowl of vanilla ice cream.  You had to create a flavor or a sundae or whatever you wanted with anything in the room (we also brought out sundae toppings and clearly there was A LOT of candy) and the bride taste tested them all and declared a winner.  There were some interesting combos but I am proud to report that my daugher (and I) were the winners!!!  A little cake, brownies, sprinkles, crushed up white chocolate covered pretzels and rolos cut up into pieces.  Just the right combo to win over the bride.  Hooray!  And what did the winners get?  Well, our little prizes were candy flavored chapsticks and hand sanitizers with sweet names (warm vanilla sugar, sweet pea, I love Cake etc)  We also had in there a couple toothbrush/toothpaste combos...which was appreciated.  Everything was wrapped up and tied like a piece of candy :)

We also played Candyland.  Yep, the actual game from your childhood.  However, we skewed the rules a bit.  Everyone used our own set of rules...each color had its own rule.  It was cute, but it did take some time to get through.  Winners (we had 4 games) got the same prizes as above.

And last but not least, the favors.  I am KICKING myself for not taking pictures but we did lavendar vanilla homeade sugar scrub with a bright colored washcloth rolled up and wrapped in cellophane to look like candy.  And in their bags were small bags that they could fill with candy before they left and they did.

I think the shower was well received and it was a ton of fun.  I loved decorating with the candy and would do that again for sure!  The bride seemed to really enjoy herself as well as all of the guests. 

Now it is time for me to get back to a normal household where there aren't projects half done in every room of my house.  I also must hide all that leftover candy better...it is not something I need to eat, nor should I admit to eating!!!  Easter...I keep telling myself that I just have to wait til Easter....think I can make it?