At the beginning of the year I made a goal to eat veggies at lunch every day this year. I figured since 1/4 of the year has gone by that I should update my progress:
I haven't done it every single day, but I've only missed a couple. I have turned a corner.
It's been fun to experiment, to see my kid eating vegetable with less resistance (and sometimes without me mentioning it), and to enjoy them more myself. Sometimes they ask to get out the carrot sticks (if they don't like what's on the table), sometimes they will eat them at snack time, and someone has even taken them to school more than once.
New veggies I've tried in 2013:
Banana squash (Provided by my in-laws, seriously the biggest squash I've ever seen)
Broccoli slaw (A big fan of it in this recipe--with my sauce changes listed here)
I did buy a jicama, but didn't get to it before it went bad in my fridge, so I'll have to try again on that one. I think if I plan some kind of dip to have on hand next time I buy it, I will be more successful.
For me preparation is the biggest deal killer. By the time I've baked bread, shopped for groceries, and made the main dishes, I am mostly done. I love the veggie options that have some of the prep already done for you.
More money? Yes.
Worth it right now in this phase of life? Yes, absolutely.
One of the grocery stores marks these down for quick sale, so I've started to check for them and see what's on sale.
The best new veggie recipe I've tried is here:
Parmesan Zucchini and Squash (Scroll down to page 16 if you really want to see it).
(I'm not allowing comments on this post, because I prefer not to, but if you'd like to send an email, feel free).
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
JustServe
Our area of the world will be participating in a pilot program for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
It is an initiative to get members serving in our own communities. It is being piloted in Dallas, TX; San Jose, CA, and Denver, CO (but stretching into the SE corner of WY). We were in Cheyenne today and had an awesome lesson on it. There's a website you can check out here: JustServe.org
I looked it up tonight and there are lots of local opportunities already listed: from driving persons who don't have vehicles or access to them, to community kitchen help, to planting trees from last year's fires . . . and more and more.
This is going to work & I am happy to become a part of it. The timing of choosing our area is no coincidence--it is going to build bridges for the future when the temple is here. So exciting!!!!
It is an initiative to get members serving in our own communities. It is being piloted in Dallas, TX; San Jose, CA, and Denver, CO (but stretching into the SE corner of WY). We were in Cheyenne today and had an awesome lesson on it. There's a website you can check out here: JustServe.org
I looked it up tonight and there are lots of local opportunities already listed: from driving persons who don't have vehicles or access to them, to community kitchen help, to planting trees from last year's fires . . . and more and more.
This is going to work & I am happy to become a part of it. The timing of choosing our area is no coincidence--it is going to build bridges for the future when the temple is here. So exciting!!!!
Spring Break 2013
We have some upcoming travel planned, so this year we had a staycation. I tried to plan an outing for most days, to give us all something to look forward to. It was fun and I can't believe it's over, (or that summer is coming so quickly).
We:
Went out to lunch with just the girls and Eddie. They chose Panera close to Nathan's office so we could stop by and use his "eyesight chart." Our girls haven't been to the doctor in awhile and one of them probably needs glasses.
Went to a production of Willy Wonka put on by a cast whose average age was 10 years old. Great show.
Tried out TCBY. (Never taken my kids there, can you believe it?) They loved it and received compliments from a lady in the room about how well behaved they were.
Went to the $2 movie. We filled the empty space in our car with friends, and I thoroughly enjoyed my role as the "fun mom." Other moms had my idea, too because the theater was full for the only showing of
Wreck-It Ralph that day. I learned Ed is old enough for movies, now. Very cute, creative show. Who makes them up?
Went Ice skating as a family. Though some of my children have been with Nathan, it was the first time I could remember ice skating since I got married . . . . a long time ago. Although this activity was primarily intended for the older kids entertainment, we all had fun. Including the littlest with his assistant. We will be going again.
Spent time at our friend's home. Then they come over for lunch at our house. They have 4, we have 5, and the ages almost match up. So fun.
It snowed! We took pictures of some of the cool drifts:
Nathan took Andrew to the temple for his first time. Awesome.
Spent Sunday with my parents to celebrate my dad's upcoming birthday. We surprised him with homemade ice cream, he's a vanilla kind of guy.
He had also asked for pumpkin pie for his birthday (I guess not loving cake is in the genes). First time I've had ice cream and pumpkin pie in the same serving dish.
The end of spring break. Now we are into spring sports and the home-stretch of the school year.
We:
Went out to lunch with just the girls and Eddie. They chose Panera close to Nathan's office so we could stop by and use his "eyesight chart." Our girls haven't been to the doctor in awhile and one of them probably needs glasses.
Went to a production of Willy Wonka put on by a cast whose average age was 10 years old. Great show.
Tried out TCBY. (Never taken my kids there, can you believe it?) They loved it and received compliments from a lady in the room about how well behaved they were.
Went to the $2 movie. We filled the empty space in our car with friends, and I thoroughly enjoyed my role as the "fun mom." Other moms had my idea, too because the theater was full for the only showing of
Wreck-It Ralph that day. I learned Ed is old enough for movies, now. Very cute, creative show. Who makes them up?
Went Ice skating as a family. Though some of my children have been with Nathan, it was the first time I could remember ice skating since I got married . . . . a long time ago. Although this activity was primarily intended for the older kids entertainment, we all had fun. Including the littlest with his assistant. We will be going again.
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| This is where I was most of the evening |
 |
| And here's where Nathan spent his |
Spent time at our friend's home. Then they come over for lunch at our house. They have 4, we have 5, and the ages almost match up. So fun.
It snowed! We took pictures of some of the cool drifts:
Nathan took Andrew to the temple for his first time. Awesome.
Spent Sunday with my parents to celebrate my dad's upcoming birthday. We surprised him with homemade ice cream, he's a vanilla kind of guy.
 |
| 37th anniversary of the big 3-0 |
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| Misplaced the candles so we used matches . . . and had to sing fast. |
The end of spring break. Now we are into spring sports and the home-stretch of the school year.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Rainbows in a bottle
I wanted to do something festive for Saint Patrick's day.
I found the idea for these on Pinterest. Not original, but lots of fun. Next year,I we will make one for me, too. Nathan helped carry out the idea, finding more jars in the basement, sorting Skittles, etc. It was fun.
To thank me, someone made a "Best Mom Ever" sign.
(Don't tell her I'm not).
I found the idea for these on Pinterest. Not original, but lots of fun. Next year,
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| Can you tell that's a gold coin at the bottom? |
(Don't tell her I'm not).
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| This "process" photo is my favorite . . . with all the domestic debris that covers my kitchen island much of the time. |
Friday, March 15, 2013
Fire season
The smoke's back.
First fires of the season: Please pray for rain.
The fires last summer started at the beginning of June. It was horrible timing--right as school was getting out. This year they started the first day of Spring break. It is not an exaggeration to say that we are concerned for the long warm season ahead.
Our stake was asked to fast for moisture, the stake next to our was asked to fast for moisture. It's going to take more than just us, however.
I saw the smoke about 12:30p.m. today--it looked just like it was coming over the hill where we went swimming at Horsetooth Reservoir last summer. By late afternoon, it streamed out over the entire sky and filled all the air. We will not be opening windows soon. Our spring break plans will move indoors. Hopefully not our summer plans, too.
Another news story HERE.
First fires of the season: Please pray for rain.
The fires last summer started at the beginning of June. It was horrible timing--right as school was getting out. This year they started the first day of Spring break. It is not an exaggeration to say that we are concerned for the long warm season ahead.
 |
| We need more of this |
Our stake was asked to fast for moisture, the stake next to our was asked to fast for moisture. It's going to take more than just us, however.
I saw the smoke about 12:30p.m. today--it looked just like it was coming over the hill where we went swimming at Horsetooth Reservoir last summer. By late afternoon, it streamed out over the entire sky and filled all the air. We will not be opening windows soon. Our spring break plans will move indoors. Hopefully not our summer plans, too.
Another news story HERE.
Dinner tonight (updated)
Chicken burgers: Found the recipe on a package of ground chicken. (Yes, it's twice as expensive as boneless skinless chicken breasts, but it's WAY cheaper than eating out).
Recipe Here
OK, so I didn't follow the recipe but it still tasted awesome.
UPDATED: The main things I did differently were spices: no sage in my house (I like it but am out), and instead of putting the paprika in the flour, I dumped it in with the chicken. I realized my mistake was going to make it TOO MUCH PAPRIKA, so I took a lot of it out. And, then I forgot the cayenne pepper sauce. So the reason my goof ups weren't written before, is that they were mostly goofups and not intentional changes. My point is--this is a good recipe regardless of whether or not you do it right.
Will be adding this into the regulars & trying again on the grill sometime.
Recipe Here
OK, so I didn't follow the recipe but it still tasted awesome.
UPDATED: The main things I did differently were spices: no sage in my house (I like it but am out), and instead of putting the paprika in the flour, I dumped it in with the chicken. I realized my mistake was going to make it TOO MUCH PAPRIKA, so I took a lot of it out. And, then I forgot the cayenne pepper sauce. So the reason my goof ups weren't written before, is that they were mostly goofups and not intentional changes. My point is--this is a good recipe regardless of whether or not you do it right.
Will be adding this into the regulars & trying again on the grill sometime.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
'Til her puzzler was sore
(from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas)
We had a "snow" day yesterday. There was big snow predicted, so the school district cancelled all the activities. The big snow did not materialize in our town, but there was some. We stayed in most of the day. One thing we did was work on a puzzle Diana got for her birthday.
I sewed.
Andrew's previously undefeated basketball team was defeated. It was his first season and a great experience.
We had a "snow" day yesterday. There was big snow predicted, so the school district cancelled all the activities. The big snow did not materialize in our town, but there was some. We stayed in most of the day. One thing we did was work on a puzzle Diana got for her birthday.
 |
| "Take one of me, too!" |
I sewed.
Andrew's previously undefeated basketball team was defeated. It was his first season and a great experience.
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