Finger Knit Valentine's Garland

When I was a kid, I used to finger-knit...a lot!  I never used yarn though but rather embroidery floss from all the friendship bracelets I made.  I had forgotten all about finger-knitting until I came across this post from Gussy Sews blog.  I highly recommend you check it out!  It was so easy to make this garland while watching some good 'ol Boob Tube!  Plus your 8+ kiddos can join the fun.  I plan on making some sparkly garland for Christmas, but lets not push it...pa pa push it real good.  Ok, I'm showing my age again with some Salt 'N Pepa.  

I hung my garland in the front room and added the sweet paper heart doilies.  I love the word doilies.  Go on, say it 10x's fast, it's fun!  Then added some doilies to the windows.

As you can see in the above photo, it is not a tight knit and is very forgiving.  So grab some yarn and go here to get instructions and get knitting!

Crunchie!

When I was in high-school, a friend visited Ireland and came back with a special treat...a CRUNCHIE bar!  It became a favorite, and I was able to track them down at an Irish specialty shop.  At $1.50 a pop, it wasn't something I could keep up with (heh, I was in high-school).  But my lovely friend Pinterest brought me back to my high-school love.  I found a recipe here for the famous bar which is also known by some as Violet Crumble, Hokey Pokey, Seafoam, and Sponge candy.  This was super easy and the kids thought it was quite cool after we added the baking soda...a science experiment of sorts :)


All you will need is:


1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup minus 1 tablespoon light corn syrup 
2 cups sugar 
3 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 

I cut this recipe in half and had plenty of candy.  I melted some Chocolate Almond Bark and dipped the honeycomb in it and cooled on parchment paper.  Check out the site here for complete instructions and be sure to include the kiddos!

Special lunch treat = Happy Kiddos!

(yes, and happy mama too :)

Clementine Avocado Salad

I've spoken before of my prior dislike of vegetables, salads, and well...most things healthy, but I have come a long way.  Usually I don't have a problem eating a salad if someone else makes it or if I buy one from a restaurant.  The problem lies in ME MAKING IT!  Two things have helped me with that:

1.  A Salad Spinner!  My husband bought me one for Christmas and I love it.  It means I can buy fresh bulk lettuce instead of the bagged stuff.  After I clean it and spin out the water, I can pop the whole contraption in the fridge and it stays good for a week!  I know, I know...this is not a new invention, but boy I wish I had one a while ago!

2.  Have a plan!  I make a weekly meal plan and I include my lunches (and breakfast) on the meal plan.  I can look at my menu on the fridge and know what salad I am having THAT day.  I love Spinach & Strawberry salads, but the strawberries don't last very long.  I plan those salads on the first 2 days after my shopping day

So, that being said, here is my new FAVE salad....TADA!  Sweet, fulfilling, and oh so tasty!

Only 163 Calories

For this salad I used:

1 1/2 cups romaine lettuce

1 1/2 cups baby spinach

1 clementine, peeled and separated

1/4 an avocado, chopped

1 Tablespoon dried cranberries

a sprinkle of sliced almonds

a shake of candied pecan pieces

1 Tablespoon poppyseed dressing

So Rah, Rah, Shish, Boom, Bah

Salad aren't Blah

Rah, Rah, Rah!

When Life Hands You Lemons...Squeeze!

I made a simple dietary change recently.  Each morning I begin with a lukewarm glass of water with fresh lemon juice.  It was Simon Cowell of American Idol fame that actually led me to researching the benefits.  You see, it was the 4th time I had heard somebody mention the great benefits of adding a cup of water and fresh lemon juice to your daily routine.  What I found was amazing, and the results, thus far, amazing as well!

Lemon water, oh how I love you.  Let me count the ways!

1.  It's great for your skin!  It contains vitamic C which helps fight wrinkles and that nasty little aging process.

2.  It has somehow reduced my craving for coffee in the morning.  I haven't found scientific evidence showing why, maybe it's in my head, but it's a good thing!

3.  Aids the liver in removing toxins.

4.  Improves the digestive process.

5.  Improves symptoms of heartburn.

6.  Reduces constipation

7.  Is a natural diuretic which helps with bloating.  This also helps flush toxins and bacteria from the body.

8.  Best of all....IT AIDS IN WEIGHT LOSS!!!!!  I lost 7lbs. in the first 7 days.  Now don't go thinking you can just drink lemon water and lose weight...I have also been running again, weight training, using www.livestrong.com to track my calories, and adjusted many of my poor eating habits.  I just haven't seen such a large number in just 1 week before.

I drink my lemon water first thing in the morning as this is best, but can be beneficial when taken a half hour prior to eating as well.

Now run to the store and buy yourself some lemons!  

For further reading, check out these sites:

http://www.naturalnews.com/034249_lemon_juice_energy.html
http://amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com/2011/10/5-reasons-to-drink-lemon-water-in.html
http://www.lifemojo.com/lifestyle/top-10-health-benefits-of-lemon-water-1422542
http://www.waterbenefitshealth.com/benefits-of-drinking-lemon-water.html

Smarter Choices

With the New Year, comes new resolutions for many.  We don't make any resolutions in our house at the beginning of the year, rather we seem to make resolutions daily, monthly, hourly...you get the picture.  I'm the master at starting something but not finishing.  About 8 months ago I did make a simple change and have managed to stick with it.  I either make my own yogurt or buy plain unsweetened yogurt.  The latter is easier for most, so lets stick with that.

Next time you buy yogurt, forget the high sugar kind and buy the plain unsweetened.  Add fresh fruit or even add 1-2 tsp of jam.  Top with a little homemade granola and you are in for a sweet treat.

If you are up to the challenge of making your own yogurt click here.  I found it rather easy and best of all, I know what is in it, no extra preservatives!

On a side note.....

The cup of juice you see in the picture is a baby food jar.  The larger jars are 6oz and my husband started using them.  I use it now too as it is a better size of what you should drink instead of the 32oz mega drinks.  A smart tip for consuming less AND repurposing if you ask me ;)

Linking up here:

Anytime Frittata

Ingredients

-8oz baby bella mushrooms, sliced

-1 T olive oil

-3 healthy handfuls of baby spinach

-1/2 cup ham, chopped (I like smoked)

-8 eggs scrambled

-1/4 cup of skim milk

-3 green onions, white part only, save green tops for garnish

-1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

-1/4 cup shredded mozzarella

Directions

Preheat oven to 350º
Use an oven safe pan.  I used a 12" Le Creuset.

1. Heat chopped ham for a few minutes and remove from pan and reserve for later.
2. Cook mushrooms in a tablespoon of olive oil or bacon grease for about 5 minutes.
3. Add green onions and cook for 5 more minutes.
4. Then toss in the spinach and cook until wilted, stirring frequently.
5. Add ham and mix.
6. Scramble eggs and milk well and pour over all ingredients.
7. Let cook on stove top for 2 minutes.
8. Pop in oven for 15-20 minutes or until done.
9. Sprinkle on cheese and heat for an additional minute.
10. Add green onions on top for garnish.

Serves 4

This was so tasty.  My husband, who typically makes omelets on Saturdays, said there is no need for him to make omelets anymore.  We had the frittata for lunch and felt quite satisfied!

 Happy Eating!

Linking up to Lady Behind the Curtain.
and

Italian Chicken & Tortellini Soup

Everyone in my house loves soup.  I make a point to roast a chicken every week so I can use the carcass to make chicken stock.  One of my husbands favorite soups is Italian Chicken and Tortellini soup.  It is hardy enough to stand on its own without any additional sandwich or bread.  This soup is also great to freeze if you make larger batches, just don't add the chicken and tortellini.

Ingredients

1 T olive oil

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 small onion, chopped

3 large garlic cloves, chopped

1 T dried basil

6 cups of chicken broth

2 medium zucchini, diced

1 carrot, diced

9oz mini cheese tortellini

1 1/2 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken

Bell peppers, onions, garlic and basil.

Zucchini from the garden that I had froze...YUM!

1.  Heat oil in heavy saucepan over medium heat.
2.  Add onion, bell pepper, garlic and basil and saute until vegetables are just tender, about 10 minutes.
3.  Add broth and cover pot and simmer for 10 minutes.
4.  Add carrots and zucchini and simmer until carrots are tender, about 10 minutes.
5.  Increase heat and bring soup to a boil.
6.  Add ravioli and cook for 5 minutes.
7.  Add chicken and cook for 5 more minutes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Thrifty Instant Oatmeal

So the kiddos can make it themselves!

I love oatmeal for breakfast.  I prefer my crock pot steel cut oats, but my boys prefer the instant oatmeal packets.  I admit they are good and easy, but also expensive and filled with sugar.  I came across this recipe here, but found it was much too thick for our taste.  After some playing around, I came up with this one that I think more closely resembles the Quaker Instant Oatmeal packets.

Ingredients:
-1 box of Old-Fashioned Oats
-1 box of Quick-Cook Oats

DIFFICULT LIST...I know :)

I start by mixing equal parts of both oats.  I store it in the container that you see pictured above.  From that mix I scoop out about a cup and grind it in my food processor so it looks like this:

Ground mixture in a separate container

 You can pour your ground mix in any sealable container.  I tend to grind 2 cups worth, 1 cup at a time, depending on your mixer.

Then all you do is add 6 Tablespoons of regular mix with 1 Tablespoon of the ground mix and add 3/4 cup of milk.  With me so far?  Now here is where you can be creative and add whatever "extras" you like.

I like to add 1 tsp of brown sugar (or white sugar) and some raisins, and cinnamon prior to heating then add chopped apples after it is heated.

Heat for 2 - 2 1/2 minutes on high in microwave, but be sure to watch it the last 30 seconds so it doesn't bubble over.

Oatmeal Topping/Add-In Ideas:

flax seed

bananas

peanut butter

honey almond butter (Justin's is ah-mazing)

walnuts/pecans

slivered almonds

strawberry jelly

pumpkin spice/filling

cranberries

any dried fruit

chocolate

honey

kefir

any fresh fruit

maple syrup (kiddos love this)

This should help get you started :)

On a side note, if you have a wee one in the house like me...just use equal parts of your ground mixture and milk or water to make baby cereal.  I use 2 Tbls of each and add pureed prunes and kefir...he LOVES it!

Wee ones breakfast :)

A good bowl of oatmeal is a great way to start your day, but it's made even better while listening to this song...ENJOY!

Linking up to The Lady Behind the Curtain

Good Morning 2012!

‎"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."  Isaiah 26:3  I love this verse.  It's what I have to keep refocusing on.  This past year has been a long trying year.  I have to rejoice in the trials, because it is through the trials that I will experience the blessings.  You know...you can't get to the mountain top without going through the valley.  

 This past year, after getting through our sons colic we noticed he wasn't hitting his milestones.  Eventually he was diagnosed with moderate diffuse hypotonia.  It was a term my husband and I had not heard of before.  Hypotonia is often described as low muscle tone.  We had some challenges ahead.  We were able to start Early Intervention when he was 10 months old.  He just celebrated his 1st birthday and we are celebrating that he is able to sit up.  Oh how we take the little things for granted.  It was a flip in perspective...clapping, rolling over, crawling...all these things don't come naturally for little Coldon but through Speech, Occupational, and Physical therapy we see glimpses of hope.

Coldon sitting for the first time!

Though there have been setbacks, there has also been joy.  Carter got his first guitar and hopes to be like his PapaBear one day...

 ...and there was lots of hot cocoa.  I don't think Christmas is the same without hot cocoa in your hand.

But most of all, I have learned about myself this year.  My job isn't to be an awesome sewer, runner, crafting monger or awesome blogger.  I haven't made a post since August 9th!  I seemed too wrapped up in having my pictures perfect, with a nice border and my website overlaying it somewhere.  It sucked me into a whole where I lost focus of the bigger picture.  My job is one that the Lord gave me. One that I am honored and blessed to have.  It's being a wife first and mommy second.  I need to keep my eyes focused on God's word and his plan for me.

So this year I will blog again, 'cuz I LOVE IT, but I love my family more, so less posts and crafty goodness.  When I ring in 2013 next year, God willing, I hope I can say I loved God and my family more and as a result, overflowing with contentment!

Cheers to a healthy, happy, safe, awe-inspiring new year!

Blessings,