Back to School 2014-15

Gosh, it took me about 20 minutes to figure out how to post on my own blog!  It's been THAT long ago!  It also doesn't help that I'm just getting old(er), and more technologically challenged.

Well, it's that time of year again.  Back to school for the kids.  Back to making lunches for me.  It's no secret.  Making school lunches is not my favorite thing to do.  The hot lunch program is one of the biggest things I miss about the kids attending school in the States.  However, I know they are eating much healthier because of this change.  I guess that's what keeps me going.

It's probably no surprise, but I am an "extreme parent."  Yes, I AM one of thoooooooose people.  Maybe not in the same way as the crazy parents you see on television, but probably not too far off the mark.  I am an all or none kind of person.  I'm either all in, or all out.  There isn't much middle ground, but I'm working on that.  I enjoy reading books on how to be a better parent.  Much to my kids' dismay, I also like implementing the new tips/techniques that I have learned.  If I read a book or article about how much smarter my kids will be by getting more sleep, you can bet I will be all over that.  Last night's bedtime was 8:30p.  I've also read articles on how much easier it is to learn when eating a healthy diet.  Yep, I'm all over that one too.  How to limit screen time.  Read it.  I do try to use what works, and tweak what doesn't to work with our lifestyle/schedule.  That is the middle ground.  The place I prefer to be.

So I'm not sure what my "return to blogging" will morph into over time, I'm just going to "go with the flow."  Right now I want to use it to make myself accountable.  I want to stay on track with that middle ground area.  Of late, I feel like I've been more of the "none" in the all or none philosophy.  That has to change.  It has to change if I want to be the best Mom I can be.

I recently learned of a Canadian based online company that sells everything you can think of to make litter-free lunches.  It wasn't until I was challenged to send a litter-less lunch at R.W.B.B. Elementary School a few years go, that I realized how important that was.  I rarely use ziploc baggies, unless of course it's a field trip day when the kids are supposed to bring "disposable lunches."  It does make for a lot more work after school, when all of the empty containers are emptied into the sink, but I am doing my part to reduce our carbon footprint, and making the world a better place.  (Yep..........read an article about that!)

We were in desperate need of some new lunch bags.  I threw Gage's away soon after the last day of school this past spring.  Nasty!  Needless to say, I was thrilled when I learned of this Canadian-based company, fenigo.com.  Perhaps the best part, if your order qualifies, you can get FREE SHIPPING!  My order arrived in the mail just YESTERDAY!!!

The company also threw in a few free bamboo utensil sets.  I'm not sure if that's because I had to wait so long, or because I'm a new, good customer?  Either way, it excited me.  It's the small things.  Gage has challenged me to learn how to make sushi, since each set came with a set of chopsticks!  He recently discovered a love for sushi!  Ewwww!!!!!!!

Scott was also a lucky recipient of a new lunch kit!  His previous lunch bag was falling apart, and also a little gross.

Who wouldn't be excited about this??  I love the bright colors.  Lunch time is a happy time now!!

But then comes MAKING those lunches!  Over the past 4 school years, my kids have gotten quite tired of the same things over and over.  I'm going to try to branch out a little bit and try keeping them excited about looking inside to see what Mom prepared today!

Today's lunch consisted of cubed cheese, yellow pepper slices, chicken salad sandwiches, energy balls and cantaloupe.  I sure hope they like it.  It was a new recipe for chicken salad and I haven't even tried it myself yet.  Thankfully there's plenty for me as well.  My plan, for right now, is to use my blog as a place to post pictures/recipes and try to stay inspired.  You, readers, are responsible for holding me accountable.

These are the two loves of my life!  The two that keep me busy.  The two of whom I want to grow up into lovely human beings that people enjoy being around!  My world revolves around these people in a way that I never knew was even possible!  It's my job.  It's the best one in the world.  The pay is shitty, but only if you look at it in a monetary way.  I couldn't be happier making all the money in the world, than I am having the title of "Mom" to these special people.

Cashew Chicken Salad

Cashew Chicken Salad

1 can chicken or 1 cup chopped, cooked chicken

1/2 cup celery, chopped

1/2 cup cashews, chopped

1/2 cup red apple, chopped

1/2 cup red, seedless grapes, halved

1/2 cup mayo

1 Tbsp. dry Ranch dressing mix

*Mix all ingredients well and serve on croissants.

*Note:  I got this recipe from another blog, but was unable to pin it to pinterest to keep the recipe

somewhere where I'll be able to find it again.

(Healthy) Heart-Shaped Pizza for Valentine's

HEART SHAPED PIZZA FOR VALENTINES

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

Feel free to experiment by adding different flavors into the dough along
with the flour (like dried basil or oregano, or even a little parmesan
cheese). 

1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 tsp. sugar
1 TBSP. active dry yeast
1 TBSP. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 TBSP honey

In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water. Sprinkle the yeast over
the top, and let stand for about 10 minutes, until foamy. Add in the olive
oil, salt, and garlic powder, and stir to mix. Add the whole wheat flour
plus one cup of the all-purpose flour, and stir until the dough begins to
come together. Tip the dough out onto a surface floured with the remaining
all-purpose flour, and knead until all of the flour has been absorbed, and
the ball of dough becomes smooth, about 5 minutes. Add a bit more flour if
the dough is too sticky. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, and turn to
coat the surface. Cover loosely with a towel, and let stand in a warm
place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

When the dough is doubled, tip the dough out onto a lightly floured
surface, and divide into 2 pieces for 2 thin crust, or leave whole to make
one thick crust. Form into a tight ball. Cover with a towel and let rise
for about 45 minutes, until doubled.

Stretch the dough out into the desired shape. Place each crust on a baking
sheet that has been sprayed with a little bit of oil. Top with your
desired sauce and toppings - not too much cheese : ) Bake at 425°F for
16-20 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling.

PIZZA SAUCE

  • 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste ( low sodium if you can)  
  • 2 cloves garlic  
  • 3 tablespoons dried parsley flakes - or finely chopped fresh parsley  
  • 4 teaspoons dried onion flakes  - epicure !
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregeno
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil ( or fresh )  
  • 2 cups water 

 
1  Combine tomato paste, garlic, parsley flakes, onion, oregano, basil and
water in 2 quart saucepan. 
( if you are using fresh parsley and or basil - blend in your blender or
food processor before you put it in a saucepan )

2  Cook over medium high heat until mixture boils. 
 
3 Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes. 
 
4 Cool a little and spread on your pizza crust and proceed with remainder
of your toppings.


TOP YOUR PIZZA WITH YOUR FAVORITE TOPPINGS - I LIKE SPINACH, FETA,
ZUCCHINI AND SOME MOZZARELLA !

Cheesy Chicken Egg Rolls

Cheesy Chicken Egg Rolls

1/2 T light whipped butter or light buttery spread
1 sweet onion
¼ t salt
2 cups spinach leaves
½ T chopped garlic
4 oz cooked and chopped skinless lean chicken breast
2 wedges The laughing cow light creamy swiss cheese
6 large square egg roll wrappers DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Prepare a large baking sheet by spraying it lightly with nonstick spray and set aside
Place butter in a skillet and bring to medium-high heat on the stove. Once butter has coated the bottom of the skillet, add onion and salt. Stirring often, sauté onion until softened and slightly browned, about 6 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium low. Stirring occasionally, continue too cook onion until browned and caramelized, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
Return skillet to medium high heat on the stove. Add spinach and garlic and cook until the spinach has wilted, 1-2 minutes. Transfer mixture to the large bowl.
Add chicken and cheese to the bowl, breaking the cheese wedges into pieces as you add them. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
Place egg roll wrappers on a clean dry surface. Evenly distribute 1/6th of mixture (about 1/3rd cup) in the wrapper and wrap. Seal the outside edges with water and transfer to baking sheet. Spray the tops of the egg rolls with nonstick spray.
Bake in oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes

Baked Cherry Almond Oatmeal

Ingredients:

2-1/4 cups Quaker oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups 2% milk
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 T melted butter (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 t0 1/2 tsp almond extract
3/4 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds
Vanilla lowfat yogurt

Preparation:
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8 (6-ounce) custard cups or ramekins with nonstick cooking spray; arranged on rimmed baking sheet. (I used an 8x8 baking dish because I don't have the ramekins and this worked just fine.)

In large bowl, combine oats, brown sugar and salt; mix well. In medium bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, butter, vanilla and almond extract. Add to dry ingredients; mix until well blended. Spoon into prepared cups. Stir cherries into each cup, dividing evenly; sprinkle evenly with almonds.

Bake until knife inserted near center comes out clean, about 23-26 min. for quick oats, 25-30 min. for old-fashioned. (Centers will not be completely set.) Cool 10 minutes.

Top with yogurt.

Beef Taco Rice Skillet

Beef Taco Rice Skillet

Beef Taco Rice Skillet

1 lb extra lean ground beef

1 pouch Old El Paso Smart Fiesta Reduced Sodium Taco Seasoning Mix

1-1/2 cup water

1 cup thick and chunky salsa

1 cup frozen whole kernal peaches and cream corn

1-1/2 cup uncooked instant rice

3/4 cup shredded Mexican cheese

1 cup shredded lettuce

3/4 cup chopped tomato

serve with sour cream

*In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown, drain.

*Stir in taco seasoning mix, water, salsa and corn. Heat to boiling; stir in rice. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat.

*Cover, let stand 8 min.

*Fluff rice mixture with fork; sprinkle with cheese.

*Cover, let stand 1-2 min or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle lettuce around edge of skillet, sprinkle tomatoes in circle next to lettuce.

*Serve with sour cream

*Enjoy!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Post 2

I'm so pathetic at blogging. I guess this is one way to savor the experience we had with our first family vacation!

These pictures are all of WW of Harry Potter, but in no rhyme or reason order. It's the way they appeared when I uploaded them and because it takes so much effort to rearrange them, I'm just going to leave it as is.



Gage and Emma at the entrance of The Forbidden Journey. This was our first of three times to ride, so we were very excited with anticipation!


Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: The Forbidden Journey

As you wait in line to ride The Forbidden Journey, part of your time is spent weaving through the greenhouse. Thankfully we were there first thing in the morning, so it wasn't too miserably hot.

Scott, Gage and Emma entering the castle.

The hall of portraits was pretty amazing. The portraits that were interactive didn't show up on my camera, unfortunately. It is better when there is a longer line for this ride, so you have time to take in the sights. If there is no line, you are kind of rushed through and end up missing alot of the conversation between the portraits.

It started snowing while we were in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Harry, Ron and Hermoine were in the balcony talking, but because it was a holographic image, my camera wouldn't photograph them. It was very life-like. Unfortunately, the Forbidden Journey is the only place you see Harry, Ron and Hermoine in the park. This ride is what makes it a true Harry Potter experience.

Just before exiting the line and getting on the ride, you will find the Sorting Hat, which actually talks.

Once you leave the line, you get onto the ride in the Great Hall, where you find floating candles.

We rode The Forbidden Journey three separate times, so I was snapping pictures each time, to make sure I didn't miss anything. Here are Gage and Emma back in line, in the greenhouse. There are mandrakes in the fenced area.

This is where they keep track of house points. Gryffindor is in the lead!!!!

A statue of Goddrick Gryffindor.

Time to stop and take a picture with the Hippogriff!

The wall of portraits once again.

Dumbledore's Office.

Dumbledore's desk.

Gage and Emma with the Sorting Hat. I wonder which houses they would be sorted in to?

Hagrid's Hut which you can see when getting onto the Flight of the Hippogriff ride. It's a tame rollercoaster, and also the first one we rode.

Hagrid's Hut.

Buckbeak on his nest. This was taken from the actual roller coaster and is about the only place you can see this.

Dogweed and Deathcap shop window. Screaming mandrakes were heard. Thankfully we lived to tell about it!

Ollivander's Wand Shop is another big attraction at WWHP. This was high on our "to see" list, and was the first place we went on our first day at WWHP. They allow about 25 people into the wand shop at a time. The shopkeeper will choose one lucky soul and go through a production of the wand picking the wizard. We went to Ollivander's twice, because Gage really wanted a wand to pick him. Unfortunately neither Gage, nor Emma, were chosen. However, Gage's wand really did choose him. After the show is over, everyone is exited into a gift shop where you can pick out a wand to purchase. Because Gage was so bummed about not being chosen by the shopkeeper, he had a hard time trying to decide which wand to get. He opened several boxes and was just bummed. Finally, he opened up a wand box which had a core of Hawthorne, and a huge smile came over his face. I believed that this was a sign, and he was thrilled with his new wand.

A view of all the wand boxes in the shop.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy.

Hogsmeade

That is all for this post. I think I am also going to upload all of the pictures to FB. Much faster and easier to do.