What's For Dinner Wednesday Week 11

Tortilla Soup

I've become a huge fan of tortilla soup in the last few months. I now try it at every restaurant that offers it, but I have still found my personalized recipe to be my fave. How awesome too, cause that means I can have it whenever I want it. YAY! It's not spicy at all, and has a lot of flavor without adding any spices to it.

Ingredients Needed
4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
3 cups water
2 cartons chicken broth
1 yellow onion quartered
1 cup diced tomatoes
juice of one lime
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
*toppings for each bowl*
1/2 avocado
handful of broken tortilla chips
1/4 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

Supplies Needed
5 qt dutch oven
knife
cutting board
two forks
medium bowl
ladle
bowls
spoons
measuring cups


Directions
1) combine water, broth and onion in 5 qt dutch oven and bring to boil.
2) add chicken (frozen OK), tomatoes. Boil until chicken is poached (about 12 minutes)
3) remove large onion pieces and discard.
4) remove chicken and using two forks, coarsely shred, then return to pot. Reduce heat.
5) add lime juice and simmer for another 5 minutes.
6) turn off heat and add cilantro.
7) Ladle soup into bowls and add the toppings. Serve.




Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

Cold Air

I stood there eating one of the delicious new "Nature Valley Granola Thins Dark Chocolate " bars, with the fridge door wide open, cold air blowing out onto my sticky after shower body while the baby's bottle was warming up and I couldn't help but wonder how many other mothers experience insane days like mine.

Not 15 minutes prior, I had arrived home from my (second) shopping trip to Target. With my new coupon saving/ad watching/bargain hunting adventures in shopping, I had to leave mid shopping trip to pick up my son from preschool. I was rushing into the house with the kids and the bags, desperate to get the cold stuff from the first trip into the freezer. I also needed to figure out what to eat, because if I went any longer it would have become yet another day of "headaches due to not eating in time". Oh, how I despise those days. Frantically, I threw into the microwave, *one serving* of Tyson popcorn chicken. I am being very good about my new "temporary calorie counting diet". I threw all the frozen crap into the freezer and rushed into the shower, bowl of chicken in hand. 

See, Mother Nature has this cruel idea to play pranks on us women every month. Today, happened to be such a day she saw fit to flow as heavy as she could. This left me, trying to get my son in bed for his nap, trying to get frozen items cold, and trying to eat lunch before I got a headache. All the while I felt the "overflow" of my lovely DivaCup making it's grand arrival. So, chicken in hand, I rushed to the shower, and ate it while in the shower. The shower which was so much desired after my work out this morning. 4 hours after my visit to the gym, I finally got my chance to get cleaned up and fed. 

Flashing forward again, there I stood, munching on my new snack (which tasted like a smores minus the marshmallow), letting the cold fridge air cool down my body. For just a moment there was a peace around me, a calm before the storm, so beautiful and quiet. Then the baby decided she was hungry and began to wail.

Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

What's For Dinner Wednesday Week 10

Shrimp Aspennaper

My creative name for this pasta. Aspennaper (asparagus, penne, and capers)  The picture doesn't make it look that good. It's easy, yummy, and healthy. Pair it with some garlic bread and a Caesar salad.


Ingredients Needed
1 16 oz bag of penne pasta
1 bundle fresh asparagus
1/4 cup capers
1 bag frozen medium size cooked shrimp
1 14.5 oz can stewed tomatoes


Supplies Needed
frying pan
medium pot
kitchen scissors


Directions
1) In your medium pot, cook penne pasta according to package
2) In your frying pan, saute the shrimp, asparagus and capers until shrimp is fully thawed.
3) Open can of tomatoes and cut up with your kitchen scissors. Add to frying pan.
4) Cook an additional 5 minutes, then combine with cooked pasta and serve.




Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

"Death is near, and our mutual company is short."

Early this morning my husband had gone off to work, so I was lying in bed alone, awake, and on my side. Out bed is the futon in our living room. Anyway, I had my eyes open to look at the clock. That's just when I saw in my peripheral and felt in my presence, this big dark shadow walk out of the hall towards me and turn into the kitchen behind me. This obviously shocked me, and thinking immediately about "Paranormal Activity", I put up my psychic defenses and started mentally clearing out the house and setting up protection bubbles. This is a normal and effective thing I do. I didn't feel this "presence" was going to hurt me, but I knew I should get it out just in case.

This morning, I was going about my daily vacuum routine, where I pull out the attachment and clean up the bedding the hamster has pushed out. When I do this, I also say hi to hamster and make sure he is doing OK. This morning, he was on his side, not moving. Oh no! WHAT WENT WRONG? I freaked out a little wondering what I did? If you've kept up with my blog (or if you look back) we lost a Betta fish this year too. I try so hard to take good care of these pets.... I feel so guilty like it's my fault. He had food, and water. The only thing I can think of is our past week of weather. Here in L.A. it was literally smoldering hot last week (apparently our record high) and two days ago it was cold and raining. I keep the house warm enough, but maybe it still effected his little body. 

We went out back, buried him, talked a little about decomposition (right over my son's head), and we left a "grave stick" for remembrance.

Kids still bring laughter to a sad situation. 

1) We placed the hamster into the hole and began to cover him with dirt. Just as if we were playing "Peek a Boo" he asks, "Where'd hamster go?"

2) We walk back in to find my husband asleep on the couch after a long night of work. My son says, "Dada's dead". Well, clearly, he has no clue what dead is. 

Coming back around to the beginning of my story here, I sat there after the burial and found myself remembering the early morning shock I had. Was it "death" I saw walk through my house? The hamster wasn't very hard, he couldn't have been dead long. Did I really witness that spiritual presence early this morning? Interesting isn't it?

P.s. If it was "death" walking through my house. There was no cape and sickle. It was more like the shadow of the Brawny Man ha ha.

Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

What's For Dinner Wednesday Week 9

 

Monster Face Bowl

 

Easy and fun snack/lunch for a toddler. Kids love faces in their food, and this is sure to bring a smile to their face as well. 

Ingredients Needed

2 cooked meatballs

1 large olive

mozzarella cheese

ketchup

1 long sliced pickle

Supplies Needed

1 bowl

2 toothpicks

knife/scissors

Directions

1) Slice olive in half length wise

2) Cut the mozzarella into two flat circles

3) Arrange the eyeballs in order: Olive, cheese, meatball. (hold in place with toothpicks)

4) Place eyes at top of bowl, pickle at bottom for the mouth and a squirt of ketchup in the middle for the nose.

5) Remove toothpicks just before serving, if your child is to young to have them.

Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

An unhurried sense of time is in itself a form of wealth.

So, I knew I haven't had a chance lately to write a blog that had story (like this one here). I just realized though, I wasn't able to write ANY in September. WOW! I'm not trying to be one of those bloggers that apologizes for not being around either, it's just that I have been wanting to sit down and write every single day and it amazes me that a whole month went by before I could.

I started school August 30th. Really, that explains the dry spell entirely. Between cooking, cleaning, preschool, my preschooler, my 4 month old, chores, errands, AND now school - well, no wonder I haven't had time to blog huh? Honestly, I haven't even hardly had time to do my school work. I've been turning my work in last minute. Thankfully, I am still turning it in. (Now I see why mom's don't go back to school) Taking my son to school, I thought, would help me. Instead I am out driving all morning. He goes in at 9, then I go to the gym (which is important to me, as well as part of "me time" to make me feel good about myself) then it's chores if I go home or errands if I stay out. At 1 I pick him up from school. Chores and naps follow, and then cooking, more chores, bedtime routine, my shower, and me planning to stay up but crashing cause I'm so tired.

I'm trying very hard to squeeze in my own time, as well as time for my husband between his two jobs and need for sleep. My son just turned 3 and I have been planning his party which is tomorrow. He is actually more demanding for attention than my 4 month old daughter. My family gave my son a cat for his birthday. Adorable, and we love him, but a extra few chores came with it. My son named his (boy) cat, "Lady Doubin", by the way :)

I don't know, life is super hectic right now. Is it because we don't have a lot of money? I can see having more helping me with the time factor quite often. Is it because of my kids ages? I'd really like to think things get easier as they get older. Is it because I've been planning a party (and making a lot for it)? I'm sure that has a HUGE effect on my time this past month. Overall, I feel it's a phase for me to learn from and get through. Life should not always be this crazy, and I won't be in school forever. One day I will look back and breathe a huge sigh of relief that I have finally gotten to a place where I have enough time to be the great wife, mother, writer and person that I wish to be.

Well, now I have to change the baby, take the pie out of the oven, switch loads of laundry, fold laundry, change our clothes, get ready for the gym, feed the cat....



Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

What's For Dinner Wednesday Week 8

 

Yummy (and Easy) Fish Tacos

 

This is so simple and tasty, I bet you'll be making them quite often. They are a great go to on a night when you just don't feel like cooking. If you happen to live by a Trader Joe's, you gotta try their handmade tortillas.  

Ingredients Needed

1 package shredded cabbage

1 small handful of cilantro

1 package flour tortillas

1 box frozen breaded cod fillets

2 limes, quartered

1 bottle cilantro salad dressing

Supplies Needed

1 mixing bowl

knife

cutting board

(toaster) oven

Directions

1) Cook the fish according to package in oven or toaster oven

2) Shred cabbage (or open package) add to bowl with some cilantro dressing and toss until coated

3) Chop cilantro, slice limes

4) In each tortilla, place a handful of dressed cabbage, a pinch of cilantro, 1 cod fillet, and add one lime slice to be squeezed on before eating. 

Should make at least 8

Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

What's For Dinner Wednesday Week 7

Pizza with the Kids

 

This one is a fun activity to do with your kids. My son is 3 and he really enjoyed it. Now, I will say, it's not exactly creative as far as a recipe goes. Pretty much just packaged stuff. However, if you're really into cooking... feel free to make your own sauce and dough, or even pepperoni and cheese.

Ingredients Needed

1 Package of pizza dough (usually in the refrigerated section)

1 Container of pizza sauce

1 LB mozzarella cheese, grated

1 package pepperoni (or any other toppings you prefer)

Some flour

Supplies Needed

Spoon

Bowls for ingredients

Cookie sheet

Rolling pin

Directions

1) Grate cheese, place ingredients in bowls, and bring dough to room temperature

2) Sprinkle some flour all over the cookie sheet and place dough in center

3) Sit down for some fun with the kids, or let them do it themselves. Show them how to roll out the dough, pick it up and stretch it, maybe even toss it in the air a few times. 

4) When dough is stretch to desired size, cover it with the pizza sauce, then cheese, then pepperoni (or whatever toppings you are using)

5) Bake in oven per instructions on your pizza dough package or 30 minutes at 375

6) Slice, cool, and serve with some fun chicken nuggets and salad for the whole family to enjoy.

Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

What's For Dinner Wednesday Week 6

Buttermilk Chicken Strips

These are only slightly altered from a recipe by Rachael Ray. I caught it on TV briefly last week and OMG they looked so yummy I had to make them. They came out super delicious. 

Be sure to visit her site and see the original recipe, you might like it better.
Buttermilk twice-dipped fried chicken tenders


Ingredients Needed
2 cups vegetable oil
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon pepper
1/2 tablespoon salt
2 cups buttermilk
2 pounds chicken tenders (thawed if frozen)




Supplies Needed
frying pan

two medium bowls
cookie sheet or large plate
tongs




Directions
1) Combine dry ingredients in one medium bowl, pour buttermilk into the other.
2) Heat vegetable oil in frying pan over medium heat.
3) While oil is heating up, dip each chicken tender in the flour mix, the buttermilk, the flour mix, the buttermilk, and the flour mix. A total of 5 dips.
4) Place the coated chicken in the heated oil and cook on each side until golden brown.
5) Lay out on cookie sheet to cool before serving. 



Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

What's For Dinner Wednesday Week 5

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

A side course this week. Almost nothing makes a home cooked meal like some garlic mashed potatoes. This recipe makes a lot, so adjust accordingly.

Ingredients Needed
5 lbs russet potatoes
1 garlic bulb
1 stick of butter
Milk
Salt
Pepper
Olive oil


Supplies Needed
Square of foil
Knife
5 Quart dutch oven w/lid
Electric mixer
Large mixing bowl


Directions

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2) Cut the top off garlic bulb, place in center of foil and drizzle a little olive oil over the open bulb. Bring up the edges of foil, and wrap closed. (will look like a Hershey's Kiss)

3) Place directly on oven rack for 1 hour.

4) Cut potatoes into 1 inch pieces. Keep the skin on. 

5) Place potatoes in dutch oven, cover with water, put lid on, and boil about 30 minutes until soft.

6) In a large mixing bowl, on medium speed, combine potatoes, roasted garlic cloves, stick of butter (melted), salt and pepper to taste and milk to desired consistency.

Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

What's For Dinner Wednesday Week 4

Easy Variety Toddler Breakfast

Toddlers are picky eaters. Sometimes we stress over how much they eat (or rather how much they do not eat). One of the best tips for getting them to munch more, is to offer a variety of foods. The best thing you can do, is offer a little of a few various foods at each meal. If they eat all of one, you know you have a winner. If they don't touch others, you might avoid those for a couple months, then try again. If you keep trying a variety of foods, eventually you should come up with enough for a well balanced meal, that they will actually eat. 

Ingredients Needed
5 strawberries (cut in half if necessary)

5 blackberries
5 blueberries
2 mini pancakes
1 small jar applesauce
Small handful of teddy gram cookies

Supplies Needed
Fun colorful plate
Fun colorful spoon


Directions
1) Open applesauce and place on plate.
2) Sprinkle cookies on top, and stick in the spoon
3) Arrange pancakes and berries in a variety on the plate
4) (hopefully) watch you little one eat some food




How to Feed Your Toddler a Quick Healthy Meal





Click here to Vote!! - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

First Day of Preschool

Today was the big day. My little boy had his first day of preschool this morning. It was fun, liberating, emotional, and exciting. For both of us. 

When I first signed him up, I listed only Monday and Wednesday, thinking I wouldn't be able to handle more than that to start with. Then I quickly realized how hard life can be with a toddler and a new baby. Along with my daily chores and tasks, my passion for blogging and writing, as well as my own schooling starting at the same time. I figured I might get a lot of use out of that time, so I put him on Monday - Thursday from 9-1. It will allow me around 3 to 3 1/2 hours with only the baby to get all my responsibilities taken care of. In the meantime, my son will be fed breakfast and lunch (a huge stress for me sometimes), the times of our whole schedule are perfect, the gym and his nap fall into place perfectly each day, right after I pick him up, and he gets some playtime with other kids and out of the house. 

What this all means to me is that I should be more sane by actually having the time to get things done, I should have a little more quality one on one time with both the baby and my Husband, I won't have to stress about my son eating on time, and enough, and it gets me up and out early to prevent lazy days.

Today, was the first day. I brought my son into the room and he was immediately invited to sit down and enjoy some breakfast. He ate every last bite of it. I loved how the teacher pours a little milk into a small cup so the kids can then pour it into their own glasses, themselves. After breakfast, I showed him where the bathroom was, how to wash his hands, and who he needed to go to for anything he needed. Then it was just, "Bye Mama!" and I (choked up) said bye to my little man, and left. 

Click here to Vote!! - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

Sunday Night Confession

This is my Sunday night Mom confession. 

Many times throughout each day, I find myself sad about the baby getting older. Not because she herself is getting older though (and she is my last baby). It's because I know very soon I won't get to baby wear or cloth diaper anymore, and this depresses me greatly.

What's going on here lol



Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

What's For Dinner Wednesday Week 3

Touch of Gourmet Sandwich Plate

Ingredients  Needed
4 slices multi-grain Bread
4 slices of your favorite cheese
Enough of your favorite lunch meat (for two)
1 avocado
2 pieces of lettuce
1 box of mushrooms
grapes
2 garlic cloves
1 TB olive oil


Supplies Needed
butter knife
medium frying pan
wooden spoon
sharp knife


Directions
1) mash up the avocado and spread it on bread in place of mayo
2) make sandwich with meat, cheese, and lettuce and/or anything else you desire, and cut in half
3) separate sandwich halves, and place a cluster of grapes in between them
4) slice mushrooms
5) dice garlic
6) heat up olive oil in medium frying pan, add garlic, brown slightly
7) add mushrooms and saute 10 minutes until browned (they will be soft)
8) add to plate and enjoy it all.

Makes 2 servings



Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com! 

More Homemade Cleaning

Needed to get some cleaning done, so I whipped up a couple new homemade recipes.

I went to wash my ginormous van and wanted something stronger for the tires (with whitewalls) than the castile soap I use on the rest of the van. I went in the kitchen and made a handy and heavy duty cleaner that got those tires CLEAN AND WHITE. I should have taken pictures of the before and after, but I was so excited about cleaning, I got distracted. Anyway, mix up some of this when you want nice clean tires.

Tire Scrub

1/4 cup castile soap
1 cup baking soda
1 cup borax
juice of two lemons

Directions
Mix everything together and add enough water to make a slightly watery paste. Get a rough scrubber and scrub those tires real well. Rinse with clean water and marvel at the black (and white) shining back at you.




Inside, I am trying out a new disenfecting spray for the bathroom, kitchen, and table tops. Thanks to Farmer's Market, I found some fresh thyme for the job.

Thyme Disinfecting Spray

2 cups hot water
6-8 sprigs of fresh thyme
1/4 cup borax

Directions
1) Boil water and pour over thyme in a heat resistant container
2) Allow to steep until cool
3) Pour into spray bottle
4) Add borax and shake well
5) Spray on surfaces and wipe clean

Remember to shake it well each time you use it.



Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

Letting Kids Choose for Themselves

I have this theory about raising children. I feel that it is vital to their self confidence to be able to choose things for themselves. Especially when it has everything to do with them. Which toy they play with, what clothing they wear, what friends they like, etc. I have been practicing this with my son for the whole almost three years he has been alive now, and what I have created is a happy, decisive, and creative child.

I've been in quite a few situations already, in which I am watching a parent make decisions for their children, influencing what they want, and/or pressuring the kids into doing what the parents want. On the other hand, I have also been in a few situations where people are shocked that I let my son choose for himself. Not only because I give him so much control, but for letting him choose what he does. Prime example here: We went to Olvera Street in Downtown LA and while we were there we decided to get him a little guitar. We made sure he got to choose which one he wanted, as they have many options in colors. Although he could have been influenced into getting a "normal" looking one, or a "boyish" one, we let our son follow his hearts desires (as this would be a toy for him after all) and he went ahead and chose a beautiful purple guitar with pink and white flowers on it.

Many have shot dirty looks or comments when he makes these so called "girly" choices. I personally, hold no prejudice against colors, designs, or pictures. I'm not going to put a dress on the boy, but if he likes pink let him wear pink. It's just a color. Likewise, if our daughter wants a Mohawk, then she will have one.

I feel proud that my son is allowed to make his own choices, and I feel confident he will grow up knowing what he wants and go for it, without letting others pressure him into doing or getting things he isn't entirely happy with.

Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

What's For Dinner Wednesday Week 2

Super Easy Coconut Fried Chicken

Ingredients Needed
1 LB chicken, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/8 cup flour
1/8 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 Tablespoon coconut or olive oil

Supplies Needed
kitchen scissors or knife
small mixing bowl
large skillet

Directions
1) cut chicken up
2) mix together flour and coconut
3) roll each piece of chicken in flour mixture until fully coated
4) heat oil in skillet over medium high heat
5) add chicken and fry until chicken is thoroughly cooked

makes 4 servings

This is really simple to make, and it's so yummy. I'll be honest though, I'm not that good with pairing foods, and I made this for fun, then snacked on it. Therefore, I don't want to suggest sides that will go with it, when I have no idea what to match it with. But, you can't really go wrong serving something over rice. Also, the reason my chicken looks blue and red is because I had saved some colored coconut from a cake I made, and I recycle whenever I can.

Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

The Age of Why?

I think we're smack dab in the middle of the "Why?" stage. He's almost 3. Tonight, after reading his bedtime story, this is the conversation we had... if you can call it a conversation.

"OK, all done. Time for night-night"
"Why?"
"Because, the story is over, and you need rest"
"OK, Mama. You cuddle me?"
"I can't tonight baby."
"Why?"
"I have to go do EBay"
"Why?"
"So I can make us some money."
"Why?"
"We need extra money right now."
"Why?"
"So we can buy you toys, silly."
"Why?"
"Because, we love you."
"Why?"
"Because, you are a cute little boy."
"Why?"
"Because, we made you that way."
"Why?"
"Because, we love each other."
"Oh, OK. Goodnight Mama."



Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

Live Your Life

Something I have learned since becoming an adult, and even more since becoming a parent, is that you cannot take life for granted. I wouldn't necessarily expect a child to fully comprehend this concept, nor would I say anyone should live in a cautious or worried state. There is so much beauty in this world, beauty that you should spend your life trying to be in the company of, rather than stressing and working life away.

People may piss us off at times. Some might argue that no one can MAKE you mad, it's only you who allows yourself to feel that emotion. Most of us are, or have been, stuck in a mundane world of work, stress, anger, regret and sadness. Work that we didn't want to end up doing, or that isn't our true hearts desire. Stress about what we aren't able to do, how much responsibility we have or from feeling stuck in a bad situation. Anger toward people who have hurt us and betrayed our trust. Regret over something we did or said, or even failed to do or say. Sadness about not living the life we want to live. All these things can really blind a person from seeing the beauty in the world around us. And it is NEVER to late to live the life you want to live. Just remember, the longer you wait to start living it, the less time you will have to enjoy it.

There are beauties all over. Opportunity always knocks at your door, but you have to be home to hear it. Clear your head of the negativity of the world, and open your heart. When you follow your heart, everything will fall into place, but it doesn't always happen instantly. There is beauty in children, nature, family, friends, even humanity as a whole. The ability to see through the bad to notice the good, is a true test, but it can be done.

One of my goals is to learn to let go of the people that drag me down. I feel every person has something wonderful about them, but not all people get along as well as others. Sometimes, no matter the history, you have to cut the ties and move onto a happier life without a certain person. In the meantime, learn to cherish everything good about those you love. Try not to dwell on their negative traits for too long, for you could lose them at any time, and you don't want to end up in regret of not sharing as many good memories with them as possible.

Another goal is to let go of the things in this world that drag me down. The government is corrupt, people are not fair, things get stolen or broken, plans fall through and traffic sucks. Do you really want to spend your days carrying on about all these, or would you be able to see the blessing in each situation and make the most of it? Can you challenge yourself to set aside the stress long enough to see what good you have right in front of you? I know it's pretty unrealistic to think anyone can live with these stresses and not freak out once in a while. Even when life takes a nasty turn on you, you have to be able to tell yourself that things will get better, because they will. You have to be able to know you are strong enough to make it through this, and don't let it consume you so much that you stop focusing on the beauties of the world.

Goal number three is to follow my heart. If you don't love something, don't do it. If you hate your job, think about why you aren't doing what you love. Many people feel forced to stay with their line of work in order to make enough money. Question one, do you really need all those THINGS? There really is a way out of every situation, be open to spotting it. Change what you don't like, until you find what you do like. Don't be a victim. Don't let anyone else control your life. Don't think it's too late to change. Don't let fear consume your life. You can be as happy as you want to be. You can do what you love.

Life is fragile. In an instant, everything could be taken from you. In a day, your world could come crashing down. Often, it isn't until a disaster hits your world, that you open your eyes to what you should have done, or said, or not said. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to have eye openers, or warnings, that wake us up and get us to realize the beauty all around that we need to focus on. When that happens, can you remember the eye opener every day, and continue to put it into action each day of the rest of your life? This is a struggle. How much practice does it take, to learn to cherish every good in life, every day?

As I write this, I am asking my son to please be quiet so I can finish this post. Where does one draw the line between cherishing the good? I want to follow my dreams and do what I am passionate about, like writing in my blog about what I love. On the other hand, I want to cherish every moment I can with my precious baby boy, for one day, he will not be my little man anymore. When two beauties of the world overlap, how do you decide the balance in enjoying them both equally? I guess you have to take chances. Don't assume, but understand what could happen, and set priorities. Being by a family members side in a time of need, is far more important than a night out with the girls, or the vacation you've been planning for months. Holding your children, teaching them, and loving them everyday is far more important than playing games, gossiping with friends, or wasting time on Myspace.

Find your values, find your dreams, find your hopes. Chase them. Live them. Be them. Life is short when you look back and see what you never did. Life is short when you lose someone and cannot remember the good times, so make sure you rack up those positive memories every chance you get, to prevent that. Life is short, when you lose your own too soon, so take care of your mind, body and soul. They are the only ones you have.

Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

What's For Dinner Wednesday

While I was pregnant with my daughter this last year, I got this sudden urge to cook a lot. Was it because I was having a girl and I got in touch with my feminine side? Was it because I had the time to explore? Maybe, it was because I received this fantastic Trader Joe's cookbook from my Dad and loved everything I made out of it. Whatever the case, I soon realized I had a knack for cooking, and kept going with it. I've been experimenting and enhancing my skills ever since.

I'd like to start a weekly blog entry about my cooking adventures. Unlike Martha Stewart, I actually try my food before I tell you about it and give you the recipe. That said, I'm going to avoid any bad adventures in food. Besides my blog being about my parenting adventures, I'd also really like to include tips and advice on living green, and raising kids. Cooking meals is one thing all parents do, so here it goes.

Fresh Summer Kabobs

Ingredients Needed
1 sweet (yellow) onion
1 each orange, yellow, and green bell peppers
1 package whole mushrooms
7 cherry tomatoes
2 chicken breasts
salt and pepper to taste
brown rice

Supplies Needed
7 skewers
foil
9x13 glass pan
knife and/or kitchen scissors
cutting board

Directions
1) preheat oven to 400 degrees
2) line your pan with foil
3) cut chicken breasts into one inch pieces. I love using my kitchen cooking scissors for this job
4) cut your peppers and onions into one inch pieces as well, a knife might work better here
5) alternate ingredients in any order you wish, onto your skewers (Ex. mushroom, chicken, onion, green bell pepper, chicken, tomato, orange bell pepper, onion, chicken, onion, yellow bell pepper, mushroom)
6) lay the skewers across the pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper
7) cook on center rack of oven for 15-20 minutes
8) serve with brown rice

Makes 7 servings


This is an easy to make, yummy to eat recipe. The flavors are fresh, the colors are so summer, and it's healthy for you! The best part about this recipe, is how easily you can alter it. Add any veggies you like, (zucchini, artichoke, something else) and take out any you don't like, for a whole new look and taste. I for instance, LOVE onions on mine. Brown rice is really good for you too, but if you haven't acquired the taste for it yet, white is just fine to use. Have fun experimenting with this simple dinner. Better yet, try to get your veggies from your local farmer's market, for ultimate freshness and flavor.

Older kids will love picking their colorful foods off the stick, but please make sure to take the food off the sharp skewer before feeding it to a young child. These sticks can be very dangerous.

Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

New Babies Bring Joy and Stress

Before we had our daughter, life was simple, easy and calm. We are pretty relaxed parents, though we do stand our ground when we have to, to raise our son with respect and teach him right from wrong. We certainly didn't plan on acting different with our daughter, but somehow, things have changed.

We are still the same people, the same parents, but we have a lot more on our plate. Now, there are many pressures facing us that we are basically new to. I feel like all the things they say new parents go through, didn't hit us until baby number two. (Likewise, all common pregnancy complaints didn't effect me until pregnancy two) In the past 2 and a half months since our daughter was born, I have seen day after day of non-stop cooking, cleaning, washing, bathing,visiting, errand running, reading, laughing, napping, writing, eating, exercising, loving and so much more. Every single day has been filled to the max with something that needs to be done. So much so, that I started to feel an immense pressure coming down on me that I thought I couldn't handle.

Our relationship has taken it's tolls as well. Ultimately, we've been working through issues together, to get through these rough times. My husband has felt many of his own pressures this whole time, so together we've been a mess. Hanging on by love and enjoying every good moment. Although there are some temporary dilemmas putting added stress on us, for the most part, it's just the hectic life of having a new baby.

I keep saying to my friends and family, "I wasn't a Mom, until I had my second child". Boy, did my son spoil me or what? Now, with all this work I have everyday, and all these (mostly amusing) events that go on each day with two kids, I finally understand everything other moms have always talked about. The need for mommy time, the need for mommy and daddy time, the peace and freedom of having family take the kids for a little, how exciting one hour to yourself can be, how you can actually let the house get and stay dirty.

I'm having a great time even though we are under a lot of stress right now. What keeps me going, is knowing that this won't be so stressful forever. Things will calm down, she is still a very new baby. We will adjust to life with two, and of course, she will get easier as she gets older. I am doing what I can to get everything done each day, hang onto our love, spend time with myself, and make sure family gets to see the kids too. The pressure has gotten so much better in the last couple weeks, so I think we might finally be on the downhill. I sure hope so.

I am prepared to live a crazy hectic life, possibly forever :) but I do look forward to finding the peace and balance in all that craziness.

Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

I Understand Vacations Now

I used to think vacations were just a chance to go somewhere new, goof off, get away or just spoil yourself a bit. I have a whole new outlook on the subject now.

Now that I have two kids, and my life is crazy and hectic, I have figured out why I think most people take vacations. I will really respect and appreciate every vacation I have from here on.

I find myself living in a world now fully consumed with chores, errands, bills, kids, relationship stuff, school, and so much more. It has gotten to the point where I am so sick of hardly having a moment to breathe. Currently, I am sick of stressing over money. I have come to get very annoyed with always having something to do, someone to please, or somewhere to go. Not that I don't want to do these things.... I've just been spread way to thin in the last two months.

I understand now, that a few days away from the madness can really give one a chance to relax, step away, and reconnect with what matters most. Family. Being with those you love, and not having to run around like a chicken with its head cut off. This is something extremely valuable. Something extremely important for our own sanity. All moms should get government paid time off throughout the year. It would make the whole world a better place. :)

Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

Avoiding Sweets

In an effort to replace sugar cravings with healthier alternatives, I bought a trail mix. Chocolate, nut and cranberry trail mix. Yummy right?

I sat down at the computer. I placed a bowl of this delicious mix in front of me, to snack on. My son wanted to join me to look at these websites.

He really just wanted to sit there picking out all the chocolate chips from my yummy mix. When they were gone, he left.

Now, I have cranberries and nuts. And I still crave sugar.


Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

If I Didn't Have Kids

Over the weekend I had a chat about babies with someone who does not have babies. As any parent knows, this is one of those conversations that goes no where, due to the fact that people with out kids cannot possibly understand what it is like to have any. My opinion of that subject anyway, is that you think you know, until you actually have your own. Then your world changes in ways you never could have ever imagined. I would like to share one portion of this conversation.

We got to talking about finances. Something our little family is struggling with right now, like many others these days. I was talking about bills I've reduced recently, and she made mention of not needing to have cable in our house. She talked about how her and her boyfriend do not have it at all, and get by just fine. What she fails to realize, is that her and her boyfriend go out all the time. Out to dinner, lunch, breakfast, shopping, and the movies. We stay home all the time. If they didn't go out so much, they'd probably get bored at home without cable. Maybe not. Also, she talked about waiting to have kids for a few more years, while waiting for him to grow up (yeah, right. haha). I began to think about life, right now, if we didn't have kids.

We are still very young (even though we both have a couple gray hairs). I am 24 and my husband is almost 26. If we didn't have our two amazing children right now, I am quite sure we would be goofing around the same as we always did. Going out all the time, just like our friends, and even with our friends. Buying the latest trends, going on vacations and adventures, playing video games, talking to more friends, staying out late, sleeping in late, and who knows what else. We'd be out a lot more, with more freedom, so we wouldn't need to have cable at the house. Heck, I'd even cancel the Internet and just go to local "hotspots" for free WiFi. Bills would be much lower, but we'd spend much more on outings, no doubt.

The thing is, that's not us anymore. We have two adorable little children. We have entered a new stage of our lives, together. We are happy to be where we are, even if it means we cannot go out much anymore. We actually enjoy being home with each other, and our kids. We love going out and spending all our extra money on things that makes our kids happy, instead of material things for ourselves. We like exploring new foods at home, ways to save money, ways to plan for a better future for all of us, and watching cable instead of going to the movies or out to a club. I know neither of us regret the choices we have made in having children. The laughter and happiness we have at home, with just the four of us, goes far beyond any we ever had before children.

The best part of it, though we love all our friends equally, is that we have a lot of support from all our other friends since they all have kids too, so they know how life is. I think we'll be keeping our cable, and maybe if we feel like going out, we'll make a trip to the park, to watch our son smile and jump around the playground. Then we can swing by the RedBox and get a movie to watch if we really feel like splurging. :)

Life is fantastic, just the way it is!


Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

Mommy Time

For the first time in almost a month and a half, I got enough sleep last night. It was a fantastic way to start my day, catching up on the very much needed and deserved sleep that I have been lacking since my daughter was born 2 months ago. This day also happened to be the first in about a month, that we didn't have anywhere to go, or anyone to see. I got to do whatever I wanted today, and I did.

I took my time this morning, not having to pack up any diaper bags, or prepare for any long day out. I got my chores done, and we headed over to the local farmer's market. I really just wanted to get some hummus and tapenade at the Greek stand. My son wanted a watermelon, so I bought him one and had to carry it home (4 blocks) since this was the week we decided not to take the wagon. It was awesome though, it makes me smile when my sweet little toddler munches on the samples of food and tells me what he likes and what he doesn't.

Food break at home, then off to Target. I found some great preschool learning booklets for my son in the dollar spot. Gotta love the dollar spot.

The rest of the day was great. I was able to cook dinner on time, have my chores done, take care of the kids, and play with my son too. I even got ready in time to watch my HBO shows (TrueBlood, Hung and Entourage). My husband was out all day long. That meant I did all this alone and I didn't get overwhelmed at all today. It was fantastic. Thank you sleep. Thank you day off from traveling.

So then, as it always goes after a full night of sleep, I have a hard time falling asleep at night. After my shower and a few tasks, it was 1 am and hubby went to work. It was incredibly silent in the house. I found myself lying in bed, awake, listening to the rather loud tick tock of the clock above the bed. Ugh! I decided to get up and do something productive with my writing. Now, it is 1:30 am, and I am sitting here writing a blog, snacking on my hummus and tapenade, watching "The 40 Year Old Virgin", waiting to get tired.

I hope the clarity sticks with me so I can get hold of my life again and get back to balance. Still, no matter what may happen, I am so in love with both my children and so happy I am their mother.

Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Review

I LOVE using coconut oil in my homemade beauty products. I have a hard time locating places to buy it in person, or even online. Then I started to hear a lot about Tropical Traditions, and their own gold label coconut oil. I was so thrilled when I got the chance to try out a jar of it, and review it on my blog.

When I got the awesome, 32 oz jar, I was anxious to find fun new ways to use it all. I was only familiar with using it for beauty products and toiletries. Then, I went to check out the Tropical Traditions food recipes, for other ways to use my jar of oil. I searched through the recipe blog to find not only the recipes that sounded yummy, but ones that were intended for use with mainly just the oil, since it was the product I had to review. I made quite a few dishes with it (and used a huge portion of the oil), most of which tasted amazing. One thing to keep in mind though, most of the recipes call for using the coconut oil as a cooking oil in place of your olive or vegetable oil. But, anything you cook in the oil is going to have that subtle yummy flavor.

I made...


Coconut Rice - (I made it without lime juice and added sweet coconut on top, made a great breakfast rice)

Coconut Mashed Potatoes - (I didn't have coconut milk so I used canned. I think it'd be better with coconut milk, but my son really loved them as they were)






**Forgot to photograph**

Three Cheese Tomato Garlic Grilled Cheese Sandwiches - (These were an amazingly delicious lunch for my son and I)




Cheesy Fried Rice - (This wasn't such a good mix to me, little too much coconut oil)

Coconut Oil Flour Tortillas - (I made these with the chicken below, for us and my sister and her two kids. Everyone gobbled them up)

Mexican Style Pepper Chicken - (I used bell peppers in three colors, and then cut up the chicken and made it a taco filler to go in the tortillas above)

Beauty Products I made

Deodorant
1 part coconut oil
1 part cornstarch
1 part baking soda

This deodorant caused my sensitive skin a little irritation at first, now I'm used to it and it smells great (Less baking soda might prevent the irritation). I have to reapply again during the day, now that's it's all hot and sweaty, but it's 100% natural and I love it.

Lip Balm
1 part coconut oil
1 part beeswax

Melt beeswax and coconut oil together. Pour into container (or old chapstick tube) and let cool.

I really love this lip balm because it never leaves a nasty thick white residue, and it stays on for a long time. The blend is simple and effective when warmer (like if you hold it on your lips a minute to melt the coconut oil) When it gets too cold (and the oil solidifies) it can be too hard to use. A really quick zap in the microwave will fix this.

Coconut Sugar Scrub
Mix sugar and coconut oil together until blended to favorable consistency. Tastes great, but try to use it in the shower for soft glowing skin.

Last but not least, using coconut oil as an all over body moisturizer feels and smells divine.

Overall, there are so many uses for coconut oil, these are just a few. (Check out these FAQ's) Tropical Traditions provides a clean, pure, virgin coconut oil for all the uses you can come up with, for a pretty reasonable price. The jar is made of glass which makes me feel better either to re-use or recycle it. And, compared to the places I have actually found coconut oil for sale, I honestly feel they offer an excellent price. Not only is it hard to find coconut oil, but most places will not offer you the large amounts that they. Say goodbye to puny 8 oz bottles, and say hello to 32 oz or even a gallon!

If you'd like to get your hands on some of this great stuff!...

Visit the Tropical Traditions website. When asked how you heard about them, check "referred by a friend" and then kindly add in ID number : 6412314 and you will receive a free copy of the virgin coconut oil book. Right now they have a promotion going that you can buy one pint and get one pint free!

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free 
sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if 
I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return 
for the free product.

Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

Raising Kids in This World

There is this one dilemma that I have thought of on numerous occasions. I spend quality time with my son, continuously teaching him to be kind, gentle, polite, and nice to everyone around him. We both take the time to enforce this, especially when it comes to his peers. I am proud of this, and my husband is right there by my side teaching the same principles. As hard as we do try to bring up a great, well behaved child, we are learning there is a certain negative factor that comes into play by doing this. Not one that would keep us from doing what we do, though. That is, many other people in this world do not have the same values as us, and are raising rude, punk kids.

Why is this such a problem for us? It becomes increasingly harder to find good friends for our son to play with, because he either gets beat up on, or gets his feelings hurt by them. Some might say our son is too sensitive, but I of course, will argue this because he is a sweet caring boy who shares love and joy in his life. When someone snatches that away from him, in one way or another, he cries. I understand because I too, have been sensitive like that. Most often the case is that people who's children act in such rude ways, are the type of parents that just don't care enough to teach and/or discipline their children.

So, with this I wonder, how can we teach our kids to have these principles and values, while still teaching them ways to defend themselves against the mean in this world? How can we feel that what we are doing with our children is vital to the future generations, when so many others are taking the opposite, and most often, negative road to behavior? Why have so many people given up on respect and the simple ways of life? Is this just an American thing? So many questions arise with this subject, these are just a few.



How do you handle bullying kids? Is your child a bully to others, and if so how do you handle that?

No judgment here, I'm just curious, and learning to raise a toddler.

Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

2 Kids, and Double the Work Load

The workload has gotten heavy around my house. I've been very happy since my daughter was born. I love doing a lot of chores to keep me busy, and I have also had a lot of time to myself and even alone with my husband. I will admit I haven't been sleeping as much, which is certainly starting to take it's toll. There have been quite a few days where the chores just seem to never end. This past weekend was a bad one.

We were getting ready to go camping with my dad for the weekend. I had my list of things that had to be done outside the house and inside. There are definitely levels of priority, and I tried my best to follow them. After eating out for lunch, which wasn't planned, we did our Target household shopping, went to the bank, and then came home. I left out the post office for stamps, the gym to renew, and Trader Joe's for laundry soap. At home I had a bunch to do and I ended up working and working and working to get it all done, but it never happened.

I'm not good at asking for help from the husband. I am an Aries, I want to get it all done myself and feel empowered that I could. I asked him for help though. I did as many of the most important chores as I could, but when they just kept coming I had to let it go. It is so hard for me, being a perfectionist and a control freak. I wanted everything to be done and clean so that I could just relax and settle down with the kids once we got back home. I started to get so stressed out I had to call it quits and just leave town for the weekend on a much deserved break. We left the house with dishes in the sink, laundry on the floor, our sons bed unmade (clean bedding sitting on it though) and the floor un-swept. This is something that has never happened in my adult life away from home. It was very hard, but I knew I had to let go. Camping was fantastic at helping me unwind after a very hard very busy 6 weeks. But will life with two kids always be this way?


What are your tips for chores and two kids?



Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

Bad Epidural?

It's been 6 weeks now since my daughter was born. My back still hurts at the epidural site. I'm a little worried.

When I had my son, everything went beautifully with the epidural. I never experienced one bad thing from having it done. Just awesome pain relief at a time when I couldn't get a hold of myself.

This last time (just like with my son) I didn't WANT to get an epidural. In fact, I told myself, if I got the hospital and they told me I was at 8, that I wouldn't get one. I was 8 ½ when I got there, and hadn't yet experienced the pain I did with my son. I was in great shape and I felt confident I could handle the remaining labor and delivery.

My experience with hospitals (both times) are horrid, mainly due to my natural “midwife” take on childbirth, and even parenting for that matter. I wanted a midwife real bad this time around, but we just couldn't afford it :(. Anyway, the hospital experience sucks, but it is a whole entire blog worth of vents which I will currently refrain from. The main point here is, once they feel they need to make you sit still, on your back, because it is “unsafe to move anymore” that's when pain sets in. I was great while walking and moving. As soon as I sat still, around 9 cm, pain literally doubled, if not more. I got worried quick about the pain intensifying to the extreme I (thought) I felt with my son, and knowing there was only one centimeter to go made the decision a little harder. However, that one centimeter could be hours long and I had to make an immediate choice to get an epidural, so I went for it.

While I was getting it, a contraction came on, and something made it all go into my back for some reason. Made my back stiffen so bad, the doctor yelled at me not to move. Well, even though I couldn't control what happened, I think I might be suffering for it. For quite a few days after, I felt a sharp pain in the site of the epidural, and I could not lie on my back or even put pressure on it. It has gotten better since, but I still feel it now. I still can't lie on my back on anything firm. I feel a sharp pinch pain. Even if I poke the area I will feel pain. Considering I never had a side effect with my son, I worry a little that the whole spasm thing somehow messed me up. I hope I can still get a massage because I really need one. I will talk to my doctor about it, and see whoever I need to see, in order to figure it out. One more reason though, why I am thankful I feel complete and won't be having anymore kids.

What is your epidural story, if you've had one?





Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!

Defend My Ways, or Smile and Nod?

I had my dreaded WIC appointment today. Going there is never fun. Waiting around for a couple hours, while you deal with several different people who talk to you like you are an idiot about raising kids, even if you do bring along your happy, healthy toddler. This time, I had an experience that, although stupidly funny, really got me thinking.

While talking to my "nutrition consultant", she had to ask questions about how we were feeding the baby. I told her I mostly breastfed, but in the evenings she is just too hungry and so I supplement with a bottle of formula. She takes about 2 ounces after breastfeeding, and to this the lady responds, "Babies don't know when they are hungry, they only cry when they need to be held by their mother". Oh, really? Babies don't know when they are hungry huh? I told her, "When my baby shows the signs of being hungry, one of the classes you made me sit through three months ago, such as turning her head looking for a boob, sucking on her hand, and tongue thrusting, then I feed her more. She stops eating when she is no longer hungry." She goes on to tell me (and show me a display) of how a newborn baby only has a stomach the size of a small ball and they can't eat more than 2 ounces at a time. My response, "Well, take into consideration I do have a larger than average baby" (She weighed in at 12.10 lbs today at 6 weeks old) Her reply? "All babies are the same". Wow, this woman has got to be joking with me. How does SHE work for this government program promoting good health and parenting and yet she says such false statements as these??

I started to tell her how I didn't agree with what she was saying, and then, as many people older than me do, she shoots back with how she knows not only from her training, but from her own experience as a mother and grandmother. Oh bother! Pulling out the "I'm more experienced than you, youngin'" card. Well, I ended up biting my tongue and leaving without much else said. Sure, she thinks I'm an idiot, and I feel the exact same way about her. We clearly had two different styles going on... I mean, she even dissed my pouch sling to say her daughter's wrap around carrier was way better. WTH!? Baby wearing is baby wearing isn't it? I didn't even pull out the, "Yeah, well we cloth diaper!" LoL.

What I got to thinking about was at what point do you decide whether to stand up for your parenting ways, while others criticize it, or choose to just let them speak their nonsense and let it flow in one ear and out the other. I suppose, had it been someone I knew, I would defend my points a little more so they knew where I stood and not to mess with me any more about it. On the other hand, I really despise how many people in this world try to change others and/or neglect to realize some people do things differently and that's just OK, so leave it be.

How do you respond to people trying to "force" their ways on you about parenting?



Top Mommy Blogs - Vote for us @ TopMommyBlogs.Com!