A few days off...

Working, working working....

I have been working a lot lately and finally got a 4 day weekend with the family. Felt crafty late each night, so heres what I worked on:

Yo Gabba Gabba Birthday Banner:

And I also did a practice cake for one I am doing next weekend. Should turn out even better!!



Had To Post This Recipe: Chicken Curry & Rice Soup

We just had an AMAZING dinner, and monkey bread is in the oven. I had to share the dinner recipe since it was only 256 calories per 1 full cup. So, without ado...

2 tbsp Margarine
1 onion chopped small
2 Carrots, peeled and diced small
2 Celery Stalks diced
3/4 cup whole wheat flour (King Arthur is best)
3 1/2 cups Fat Free Milk
2 Tbsp Curry Powder
1 tsp Ground Ginger
1 tsp Turmeric
1/2 cup Fat Free Sour Cream
4 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
3 cups Diced Cooked Chicken
2 1/2 cups wild rice (Cooked)

Saute onion, carrot and celery in margarine for 2 minutes. Add Flour and mix well. Gradually add milk. Add Curry Powder, ginger and turmeric. Bring to a boil and cook until thickened. Add Sour Cream and chicken broth gradually. Add chicken and rice. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20-25 minutes until vegetables are tender.

ENJOY!!

Let me know if you try this and what you think. I prepared the meat and rice ahead as wild rice can take 50 minutes to cook through.

Rainy Saturday Naptime

Today during naptime, I got to sewing!! I purchased a pattern from Shwin & Shwin (LOVE this blog) and got to sewing. Caroline was so excited to try it on when she woke up, and was AMAZED by the pockets as you can see!!

The pattern and original design can be found here: http://shwinandshwinarchive.blogspot.com/2011/10/we-love-to-offer-patterns-as-often-as.html


Here is my version:

Working it all in

Menu Planning is so crucial, so this week I have vowed to create a healthy menu plan.

I hate choosing a day for each meal, because its all about taste buds for each specific day. My solution is to plan 5 meals then I can eat off of that menu when I feel like eating that type of food. This gives me  the right to have a (healthy) craving. I think as Caroline grows she will appreciate this too, because we can let her choose with us.

This weeks Menu:
Turkey Meatball Soup
Zesty Orange Chicken breast
Garlic Mashed "Potatoes"
Macaroni and "Cheese"
Chicken breast with homemade Salsa topping
"Spaghetti Meatball" Pie
"Brownies"

So I am sure you are thinking to yourself why the quotations? Well, I have started this week to "indulge". Not like you would think. I am eating these foods made with vegetable purees. So the mashed potatoes are about 1/2 potato and 1/2 pureed cauliflower. These offer a low fat, high fiber option vs the fatty sour cream/butter/cream version. This saves you calories and fat. Macaroni and cheese, this one is made with butternut squash and parmesan (again, lower fat, high fiber). The Brownies...this one is my favorite. It is made with carrot and spinach puree and 3 oz chocolate. Low fat, high fiber. Spaghetti meatball pie gives you meatballs that are made with whole wheat bread crumbs, squash puree and broccoli puree.

So what brings this on.....

My daughter has been slightly constipated (lots of milk/bananas/cheese to thank for this). Not only that, but I have been reading up on the health benefits of fruit and vegetable puree (think double veggies if you have a side of broccoli with your mac n "cheese". Plus what kid doesnt love it).

So here is to getting healthy. Let me know if you are willing to try some purees and what you think of them. It does take a few hours to prepare these, but Nick works on bikes in the dining area while I am pureeing so we got some good couple time in while I was waiting for steaming to finish.

I am still striving. Health has to be #1 for me, so if you are on a journey to health, post a comment - leave a tip - share a story. I know we can get there and learning from one another is a great tool.

Been a while

Things have been so crazy with the holidays.

I wanted to post today about journeys. Whether you have started a new one, or are continuing as planned, a journey can give you purpose.

I have recently started a journey, to become healthy. Not to lose weight, or look better - however if I am doing it right those things will come. This journey is about feeling better. Being healthy is the goal. I have always had an issue with food, as long as I can remember. I am always thinking ahead to the next meal, even if I just ate. When I get sad, mad or to celebrate, its always food. I am not all jello, I surprisingly have a lot of stamina and strength for the size that I am. I just get tired very easy.

Keeping up with my husband and daughter are the real challenge that is bringing about change. We did a bike ride this weekend, and I was so proud I had made it 5 hilly miles without walking the bike. That is nothing. I want to be able to keep up with them all the time.

I definitely want this time to be different. This isnt a temporary diet. This is it, no more greasy, fried, and "fast" foods. I am definitely starting this time realistically. I know there will be days I have a "bad" meal, but this will no longer be the norm. So here is my journey.

Whatever your journey is, follow it wisely - and education is the key. I will learn every day.

Ready for a show...

Hey all you in blog land - Just wanted to post that I will be at the Tacoma is for Lovers event at Kings Books in Tacoma Saturday and Sunday.

	King's Books 218 St. Helens Ave Tacoma, WA

Saturday, November 19 at 11:00am - November 20 at 4:00pm

 

Anyone interested in some great handmade items (just in time for the holidays) this event can't be beat.

 

Nothing like putting your dollars into local artists while still fulfilling that list!!

 

Baby Reflections

Hi All!!

Tonight I had a thought I wanted to share. It's the word "simplicity". It is amazing how I can be so focused on what the next item is on the agenda and tonight I got a moment to just enjoy simplicity. As I watched Caroline and her cousin Owen dancing in the family room, I looked to my right and there was my best friend. We were laughing so hard, we both had tears streaming down our cheeks. For all of the joy I have had up to this point, it's incredible to me that a three year old and 1 year old can make me laugh til I cry. Then there was my husband  laughing nearly as hard. I love these moments because they very much make me stop, wake up and appreciate all that I have. My little girl is growing up so fast, and I really feel it slipping away.

We left our friends house, both of us cheerful. By the time we got home, Caroline had fallen asleep. My thoughts went right back to "now I will have to carry her upstairs....put her in her jammies and brush her teeth. All without waking her". We pulled in, and my husband jumped right out of the car and took care of it all. I have to say I really tend to underestimate him! After getting Caroline down, he came downstairs and said what I was feeling. We need to simplify. So the next week I will be working on how to make it simple. Going to work/being the mom and wife-all of it. Being simple.No hand kneaded bread for dinner - outfits will be set out the night before. Make things simple.

 I challenge you to take a moment each night this week and listen to the quiet. Or maybe just listen to what your spouse or child has to say. I don't mean a quick moment - really HEAR what they are saying.

It is so crazy how we forget that simple is so wonderful.

Have a (simply) great night!

Sonja