My Fabulous Family of 5!

2012 Goals

2012-01-11T20:52:00.000-08:00

January is in full swing and I am feeling the pressure of goals for this year. I have so much I want to do with my life, with our life as a family of 5! Here are some thoughts I have as goals for myself. Let me first say that these are of my opinion. You do not have to read my blog if you do not want to! I don't think anyone reads this blog anyway, so if you do read this....let me know! :)

1. Exercise 3 times a week. That is not at all what is should be, but it is realistic!
2. Go on actual date nights with my husband once a month. Seriously, anyone who has kids and says that they don't need these are full of it!
3. On a different note, go on "me" time once a month that does not include my nails or hair!
4. Every three months, have a fun day with each child, separately!
5. Pay off our truck this year!
6. Pay off our last credit card!
7. Find another job. Yup, that is what I said.....lots of details to work out, but the time has come to look on the other side of the rainbow!
8. Re-do our laundry room.
9. Organize old pictures in frames and boxes. You know, the old light oak that used to be in style....time to repaint and re-hang.
10. Try 2 new recipes a month. I have a ton "pinned" on Pinterest, let's get cookin!
11. Re-decorate youngest daughter's room to a "big girl room" AHHH!
12. Save $100.00 a month into savings!
13. Go to therapy - are you still reading this......
14. Plant a container garden!
15. Start reading my Bible!!!!!
16. Finish redecorating my room! I just started re-finishing our mismatched furniture. Fun and turning out great so far!

Okay...so I think that is maybe too many...I am going to keep this as a work in progress. Here we go 2012, I am ready now! I will cross off things a they get done and then add things as I feel necessary! Are you bored yet? I am off to research container gardens! Haha!

Christine :)

December

2012-01-03T15:12:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from our family to yours. Here is to a wonderful new year!

November

2012-01-03T14:34:00.000-08:00

In November I got to go with Alyssah's Girl Scout troop to Prescott for their camping trip. They went to Camp Maripai. This is a camp I went to as a child when I was a Girl Scout. I was really looking forward to going. I has these grand notions that I was going to get to walk around and reminisce about the memories I created there as a child. Well, mother nature had another plan. It snowed, a lot, the night we got there. While it was beautiful, I did not get to explore the camp. It was a great trip though, spending time with Alyssah and the other girls.

October

2012-01-03T14:17:00.000-08:00

In October Eddy and I celebrated 15 years of marriage!

Trinity finished her soccer season.

Eddy finished playing school baseball.

We moved into our own house again! :)

That is Eddy batting!

September

2012-01-03T14:08:00.000-08:00

In September we went to an apple orchard with my dad, step-mom, and brother. We went to Date Creek Ranch. We went there a few years ago to pick peaches. This was the first time we went for apples. We picked about 26 pounds. I made applesauce, apple pies, apple crisp, apple bars, and apple nachos.

August

2012-01-03T13:58:00.000-08:00

Time to catch up the blog!

School started in August. Eddy is in 8th grade, Alyssah in 6th, and Trinity in 1st! The kids still go to the school I teach at. I teach 4th grade and I am teaching my 14th year. YIKES!!

Let's Freeze!

2011-07-27T00:17:00.000-07:00

I have had a very busy summer. Normally, as a teacher, I enjoy summer a little too much. I have to say that this summer that did not happen. Now I did squeeze in two weeks of camping and 2 night in Vegas. However, the rest of the summer I worked! I had a great opportunity to earn some extra cash and help out a company I believe in.
Normally by this time in the summer my freezer is happy. I enjoy cooking once a month, freezer cooking, batch cooking, whatever you prefer to call it. As my summer job is winding down I have been able to make and freeze some items. I made 10 burritos for lunches. They are healthy too! My grocery store also had chicken on sale, so I made 3 packages in the crock pot, shredded it and then froze it for future meals. Tomorrow I am hoping to make waffles. Freezer cooking for me is such a time saver. It makes me smile when I know meals are in the freezer.
I have been scouring the Internet the last few nights looking for new recipes. I am hoping to do a cooking session this weekend. Yeah....
It is a lot of work, but it is something that I enjoy. I will let you know how it went!

Five Question Friday 7/22

2011-07-22T16:36:00.000-07:00

1. If your husband had the BIG V and you got pregnant what would your first reaction be? For the dudes, what would your first reaction be if your wife told you she was pregnant after the Big V?

I would first be in shock, but then embrace it because God planned it.

2. Best memory about this summer so far.

Camping with my family. I have been working a lot this summer. The time I was able to take off and camp was awesome. Wishing I was there now....

3. How often do you change your sheets? Your kids sheets?

We wash our sheets once a week. Sadly, the kids get theirs done about once a month...bad me.

4. Having just gone through TSA, would you rather have a full-body scan or a pat-down?

Depends on who is doing it, just kidding!!! Scan, why not? I guess since I have never been through either it doesn't matter much!

5. Since it is fair time...what's your favorite fair (county or state) memory?

My husband proposed to me on the Ferris wheel at our state fair in 1994. By far, best memory! We look back now and are so thankful he did not drop the ring!

Your turn, go to My Little Life and link up!

Wordless Wednesday(not so much!)

2011-07-12T20:38:00.000-07:00

This is supposed to be a Wordless post. However, I have so many words.

Calm.

Peace.

Relaxing.

Carefree.

Silence.

Beauty.

Amazement.

Family.

GOD!

These are all of the things I think of when I look at this picture I took at Fool Hollow Lake. When I am in the beauty that God created, I am for once at peace. I don't think about life....and the stress that goes with it! This is my happy place, my place I feel at home, my place I long to be, my place I will someday be! Enjoy this picture and imagine yourself there....

What do you see?

What do you feel?

What emotions do you have?

What words come to your mind?

Five Question Friday

2011-07-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

Like I need another distraction right now, but I saw this and thought it would be fun! My Little Life hosts this every Friday! What fun! Come one you know you want to play....

1. Do you think cursive writing is overrated? (Schools in Indiana have now voted to take teaching cursive writing out of their curriculum.)

As a teacher, I think it is overrated. There is simply not enough time in the day to teach it! It is not in our state standards, so I don't teach it.

2. Do you still use a pocket calendar or notepad or do you keep your info on your smart phone?

I use both! I love my pocket calendar with my kids pic on it, but I don't go anywhere without my phone!

3. What 3 things would you save if your house was burning down? (family & pets are already safe)

I would take pictures, my phone(see last question), and my favorite pair of jeans!

4. Country Mouse or City Mouse, err Person?

I am a City Mouse, with a Country Mouse dying inside! I have always lived in a city, but I desperately long to live elsewhere. My dream is to someday live in the forest, in a cozy little cabin.

5. If you could pick ANY reality show to go on, which would you pick?

Bear with me on this one.....Real Housewives of _________.

Now I am not a housewife, but think about it. They can lose their house and file for banktrupcy all while spending money and hanging out all day doing nothing! I don't think they are real housewives at all. So I would not really pick this......but I would like to be on The Biggest Loser!

Healthier Juice

2011-07-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Mott's for Tots has 40% less sugar than 100% apple juice? Head on over to Vocalpoint.com for some great savings and a sample!

http://www.vocalpoint.com/index.html

I am not being compensated for this. Just passing along a great deal! :)

Greer-May trip

2011-06-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

Our family went to Greer in May for 2 nights, thanks to my wonderful sister-in-law! The five of us went, my sister-in-law, mother-in-law, and my mom! It was such a wonderful trip. We played games, relaxed, fished, hiked, and enjoyed each other's company! We arrived the morning of the Greer Lodge fire, May 10. It was so sad to see it gone, but we were thankful we were still able to go and that no other structures were ruined. The day we got there it snowed! I had posted some pictures in the "May" post, but decided that the Greer trip deserved it's own post! Enjoy the pictures and the video of the snow! (I will have to post later, blogger is really slow this morning!)

Eddy on his birthday!

Trinity feeding the ducks!

May

2011-06-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

May brought many things.

Family trip to Greer. It snowed while we were there!

Eddy's birthday. Oh my I have a teenager!

End of the school year.

Alyssah's play performance at school.

Trinity was Goldilocks in her Kindergarten performance.

Eddy's soccer team took 2nd place in the state tournament.

April

2011-06-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

So, I have skipped a few months, at least I am trying to update! :)

In April, we went to Camp Verde for Easter. Eddy's grandparents live there and we enjoy going with the whole family. We had a BBQ lunch, followed by an egg hunt for the kids.

There are more pics on my phone, but haven't figured out how to get them to blogger yet.

Zesty Chili

2011-05-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

We love chili in our house! Any time we go camping, I always pre-make it to take for one of our meals. I also like to double the batch and freeze half for an easy dinner. I found this recipe in a Weight Watchers magazine. Don't let that fool you, this chili is very good! I use ground turkey instead of beef. I also add a green and red pepper. Hope you try it, then let me know what you think!

Zesty Beef Chili
1 tsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves. chopped
1 - 4 1/2 oz can chopped green chiles
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 pound ground beef(5% or less fat)
1- 28 oz can Italian peeled tomatoes, chopped
1 cup fat free salsa
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup chili powder
1- 15 oz cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1. Heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent. (If you add peppers, I put them in with the onions.) Add garlic, chiles, and Cajun seasoning, stir constantly, about 1 minute. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 8-10 minutes.
2. Add tomatoes with their liquid, salsa, water, and chili powder. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook about 1 hour.
3. Stir in the beans and cook until heated through.

Weight Watcher-6 points plus
Top with light sour cream or reduced fat cheese!

Great recipe

2011-02-24T16:13:00.001-08:00

Last night we tried a new recipe. It was easy and yummy!
Here is a link!
Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken

Enjoy!

National Chocolate Cake Day!

2011-01-27T12:09:00.000-08:00

In honor of National Chocolate Cake Day, here is a link to some chocolate muffins I made last night. They are 2 points each for WW+. However, I made a few changes to make them 2 points. I used non-sweetened applesauce instead of oil. I used Splenda instead of sugar. If anyone knows of a substitute for butter, please let me know.
Enjoy, and thanks to Lynn's Kitchen Adventures for the recipe!

Chocolate Whole Wheat Zucchini Muffins

Menu Plan Monday 1/3

2011-01-02T19:28:00.000-08:00

I am starting the year off right back to meal-planning. It will help us eat healthier and keep us organized!

I got a couple of these recipes from http://www.skinnytaste.com/ Love the website!

Monday - Crock Pot Minestrone

Tuesday - leftover minestrone

Wednesday - Turkey chili

Thursday - leftover chili

Friday - Hearty Fiesta Soup

Saturday - Chicken fajitas

Sunday - Spinach and feta stuffed chicken

What's on your menu?

December

2010-12-26T17:46:00.000-08:00

December brought the wrap up of Alyssah's volleyball season and the end of Eddy's first half of the season of soccer. Trinity sang with her class at school. Alyssah was in a play at school. Our kids keep up quite busy, but we love it as much as they do.

November

2010-12-26T17:38:00.001-08:00

Eddy, Lil' Eddy, and I went to the NASCAR race with my two brothers and ex-brother-in-law. That is always a great time!

Every Thanksgiving we go to Camp Verde to spend the day with Eddy's grandparents. The kids have a blast playing in their big yard, and playing with their cousins. On our way home we stop by my dad's house for dessert. It is a very busy and long day, but one we look forward to each year.

October

2010-12-26T13:45:00.000-08:00

Kids kept us very busy this month.

Eddy is playing club soccer. He has practice three times a week and one or two games each weekend. Unless it is a tournament weekend, then we can have up to five games in a weekend.

Alyssah is involved with Girl Scouts and the theater group at our school.

Trinity is still playing rec soccer for the city we live in.

We were lucky enough to get out of town on a soccer free weekend. It happened to coincide with our school fall break. We took a trip to Fool Hollow Lake near Show Low. We were there three nights. We have a very nice, relaxing, family time! We hiked, fished, hid a geocache, and the normal camping things like smores. Here are some pics. Oh, and we saw our first tarantula!

Eddy and I also celebrated our 14th Anniversary!

September

2010-12-26T13:30:00.001-08:00

I am so behind on my blog! So,I have decided to write a few posts on what we have been up to each month.

September was a rough month. We had to short sell our home and we closed during September. I am so grateful that we were able to short sell it. However, it was with so much many emotions! When we purchased the home almost three years ago, we thought we would be there a very long time. Little did we know that my husband would lose his job. I was very concerned about how our move would affect our three kids. They have been great, thankfully. We moved in with my sister-in-law who was so wonderful to share her home with us. There are seven of us there, but it has been a blessing. I am so thankful that God knows our plan, even if I don't. :)

Now for the good:

Trinity started playing soccer this month.

My husband celebrated his birthday!

We are all healthy, and we have many people who love us!

Trinity just kicked it!

Summer wrap up

2010-08-08T15:13:00.001-07:00

The end of summer is here at our house. School starts tomorrow! I am ready, and I think the kids are too. Eddy is going into 7th(Wow, I have a middle schooler!) Alyssah is going into 5th. Trinity is starting Kindergarten! The clothes are bought, the backpacks are packed, the lunches are planned. I am excited for what this year will bring to my kids!

This summer was quite a busy one. We went to Disneyland for a week at the end of May. It was perfect! No long lines, weather was awesome, and my amazing sister-in-law and mother-in-law treated us to a fantastic week!

Eddy went to New Mexico for the Regional soccer tournament. His team was 1st for the state of AZ, so they got to go to regionals. They were gone for a week, and hubby took him and two other players. They won one and lost two. Great experience for them!

We went camping twice in July. Once with just my fabulous 5, once with some friends, then family joined. Both times we went to Woods Canyon Lake. The first trip we stayed 3 nights. Fishing was really good and it was a very relaxing trip. The second trip we were there for 3 nights with friends, then my family came up and we stayed for 3 more nights. It rained for 7 straight days. We learned a new activity-geocaching. It is a lot of fun and can't wait to find some more. We had such a fantastic time both times through and I am ready to go again very soon!

Co-op

2010-07-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

This morning I participated in a food co-op with BountifulBaskets.org . I was able to get all of this for only $15. I priced it to be about $30. worth of produce. The co-op is every other week. Participating saves money, and really makes you eat more healthy. I do not want any of this to go to waste. Now I will be planning my meals around what I received. My kids will also be snacking on the fresh fruit. Check out BountifulBaskets.org and see if it is available in your area.

This is what I received-

*1 head romain lettuce

*1 pint blueberries

* 2 lbs green seedless grapes

* 8 bananas

* 8 peaches

* 2 yellow squash

* 9 ears of corn

* 1 bunch white asparagus

* 2 cantaloupes

* 7 oranges

They also offer organic.

4th of July

2010-07-05T13:44:00.000-07:00

We were excited to get the whole family together for the 4th of July and to celebrate my brother David moving back to AZ. We had croissant sandwiches, potato salad, deviled eggs, chips, fruit, and cake. It was a lot of fun sharing old stories and looking at photos. Here are some new memories that were made.

CoverGirl and Olay BzzReport

2010-06-24T19:50:00.001-07:00

I am a BzzAgent and occasionally receive sample products to try, tell people about, and have fun! Recently I was a BzzAgent for CoverGirl and Olay Simply Ageless products. I tried the corrector, concealer, foundation, and blush. I love the corrector and concealer. With three kids and a busy schedule, you can bet I don't get enough sleep. The corrector and concealer did a fantastic job at covering the dark circles I so frequently have. I highly recommend these products! Let me know if you try them and what you think!

Don't be a hater!

2010-06-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

Today I went grocery shopping and one of the cashiers was just not nice. You see, I use coupons, and at one store my total was $20.48, after my coupons. I saved $54.78. It was like she was annoyed that I was saving money and keeping to a budget for my family! I just don't get why some cashiers have to be rude about using coupons. I don't try any sneaky things while using them, I follow the store coupon guidelines, yet I felt like I was being punished. Well, I just had to rant and rave for a few minutes.

Now, show me the money....Here are my savings today. I went to two stores.
Safeway - SAVED 67%, SPENT $15.15 and SAVED $30.74
Fry's - SAVED 100% SPENT .67 on tax for 8 free items, SAVED $18.42
Fry's - SAVED 73%, SPENT $20.48, and SAVED $54.78

This is what I got for free
6 Reach toothbrushes
6 Reach dental floss packs
5 Listerine pocket packs
2 bottles liquid hand soap
2 boxes whole wheat pasta
2 boxes Post cereal
1-4count Fiber one yogurt

Maybe next time I should offer to shop for the grouchy cashier!

Thrifty Thursday 6/17

2010-06-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

Thrifty Thursday June 17

My thrifty tip for today is buy discounted meat. Any time I grocery shop I look in the meat department for fresh meat that is marked down. Most of the time you can get it for half of the cost. Then I just take it home and freeze it. Always check the dates though, although I've never seen an out of date package. Then I plan my meals around that meat within the next few weeks if I can. I have done this at grocery stores and Sams and Costco. Good luck!

Menu Plan Monday June 13

2010-06-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full swing and I am so glad to return to Menu Planning. I try to menu plan as much as possible when I am working during the school year, but my blog is neglected a bit. Last week I posted a few breakfast recipes. They are still in the freezer and the kids are still eating them. So this week I am only posting dinner. Enjoy. Be sure to visit http://www.orgjunkie.com/ for many fabulous recipes for whatever your diet/menu needs are.

Sunday-Velveeta Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice

Monday - Healthified Mexican Pasta Skillet (with ground turkey)

Tuesday - Turkey chili

Wednesday - Southwestern Egg Rolls (Recipe from 200 under 200 from Hungry Chick, will post recipe later)

Thursday - Tex-Mex Beef and Potatoes

Friday - Out

Saturday - Pizza

Have a great week!

Thrifty Thursday 6/10

2010-06-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

Thrifty Thursday 6/10
Looking for FREE samples? Check out Wal-Mart's website for free samples. It is easy. The samples change often, so check back regularly.

Thrifty Tip: Make your own fruit and vegetable cleaner. In a bowl combine 1 cup water, 1 cup distilled white vinegar, 1 tbsp baking soda, and 20 drops grapefruit seed extract. Mix well and transfer to a spray bottle. Spray on fruit or veggies and let sit for 5- 10 minutes. Rinse well and enjoy.

Breakfast is served!

2010-06-09T10:08:00.000-07:00

Hello blog! So nice to see you again! The school year kept me a little busier that I would have liked. My blog was put on the back burner. So, with the return of summer vacation, here is the return of my blog. Yeah!

My kids are not cereal eaters. Which is fine by me.
Last night I stocked my freezer with breakfast options for the kids.

Whole wheat waffles- These are common in our house. They are healthy, and the kids like them. I use applesauce instead of oil. I also add flax seed.

Strawberry-kiwi muffins - I like the fruit in these. I use whole wheat flour in these and I only use 1 cup of sugar.

French toast sticks - These are new. The recipe linked says toddler french toast sticks, just don't let your older kids read that part. :) This was my first time making these, so I stuck with the recipe. Next time I will not add the sugar. I do not see the purpose.

So after three hours of work, my kitchen was a mess, but I was happy with the outcome. What do you stock your freezer with?

Alyssah's Birthday

2010-04-13T19:13:00.001-07:00

Alyssah at her birthday celebration!

Alyssah wanted a "Hamster cake". Her Poppy and Nana got her an actual hamster for her birthday. Needless to say she was more than excited! It was in a ball on top of her cake.

Here is her opening gifts and the "hamsters" on the cake.

Alyssah named the hamster "Tickles" because it tickles when it walks on her.

Now the fun begins!!!

2010-04-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

Most people see me as a pretty quiet person. I don't complain too much, I am generally happy, and I can even be seen as "reserved". However, sometimes I just need to EXPLODE. It only happens about once or twice a year, because the rest of the year I just tuck my emotions, feelings, and fears away. Lucky for you today is MY day. Don't ask me why I have decided to vent on my blog. Maybe because no one reads it? Maybe because it is quiet in the house and this is like therapy? I don't know. But it feels good to write(type).
So here it goes.....
Seven weeks ago a hard working, dedicated, team-player, problem-solver, was laid off of his job. HE happens to be my husband. People who do their job and and do it well are not supposed to get laid off. People who outperform others are not supposed to get laid off. People who show up for their job are not supposed to get laid off. People who others look up to are not supposed to get laid off. Now for the emotional side..... People who have families are not supposed to be laid off...if they do all of the above. People should not have to explain to their children they did not get fired, but that they got laid off, and then explain what that means! People who are GOOD are not supposed to get laid off.
Yes I am angry, and bitter, and heart broken, and uncertain of the future. I know that God has a plan and I know that I am not in control. I know that whatever happens that as long as our family is together, everything will be okay. I know that three years from now we will look back and see how we depended on each other and God to get through this. I know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.....but can someone please turn it on?

Proud

2010-03-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

On March 1, Eddy was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society at his school. The students had to apply to be part of NJHS. In order to qualify for NJHS, students need to have outstanding performance in scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. His Dad and I are so proud of his hard work! Way to go Eddy!

Eddy receiving his certificate from our principal.
I think he was as proud as we were!

There's a first for everything...

2010-03-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago Alyssah fell out of her chair at school and bumped her head on the desk. The result was a black eye, her first and hopefully last! I promised I wouldn't post the pictures on Facebook, but she never mentioned the blog. :) It took about a week and a half for her eye to return to normal color.

Trinity's 5th Birthday

2010-03-20T10:50:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Trinity's 5th Birthday at Chuck E. Cheese's on Valentine's Day(her actual b-day). I did not think it would be crowded, but you would have thought they were giving away food! Trinity had a super time and we are thankful for family who could come!

Poppy made Trinity's beautiful cake.

Aunt Cindy bought Trinity everything she needed for T-Ball, and it was all PINK!

Poppy and Nana got Trinity a Fur Real puppy and a beautiful dress.

Nina got Trinity a Nerf Gun. Now she and Eddy can battle!

Eddy on the horse.

Cousins being silly, Alyssah and Faith.

Uncle Mychal on his favorite game.

Gide-up!

Aunt Cindy, Mema, and Nina. Alyssah, Faith, Caleb, Tina, and Tony.

Steve, Christina, and Nana.

Aunt Mary, Poppy, and Trinity.

Thank you everyone for coming and for my awesome gifts!

No More Training Wheels!

2010-02-21T09:29:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago my youngest, Trinity asked her dad to take off her training wheels. At the time she was a week away from turning 5. So, dad got out the tools and off came those wheels. After about ten minutes she was off and riding by herself. Now she is riding a bigger bike and doing an awesome job. She even got to go on her first official bike ride. Here are some pictures of her first day.

"I am ready for this!"

"Don't let go dad!

"I think I am getting the hang of it!" "Woo Hoo!" "I am a bike rider!"

Here is a video of her riding!

Spray and Poof

2010-01-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

I have had many compliments on my hair lately. Thank you! It is thanks to this blog and this video. I found it through Kelly's Korner. It is a bit long, but I finally leaned how to "poof" my hair. I have thin and fine hair and watching this has finally helped me get that extra "poof" I needed.

http://brodyfrancis.blogspot.com/2009/12/hair-poofing-101.html

Thanks for your help ladies!

Menu Plan Monday 1/18

2010-01-18T10:42:00.001-08:00

I am so ready to have a menu this week. I have today off for MLK day so it gave me a day to get some additional cooking and planning done. Have a great week!

Breakfasts - Whole wheat waffles, No oil muffins made with blueberries, and whole wheat zucchini muffins
All of these will be in the freezer, so it will be easy for the kids to get what they want.

Dinners
M - Zesty Beef Chili
T - Chicken Fajitas
W - Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
T - Leftovers
F - Tostada Night

Goals

2010-01-17T12:47:00.001-08:00

I don't like to make resolutions, mainly because I feel that they don't last. Instead, I like to make goals. I have decided to make some weekly goals. Goals that I think I can stick to and goals that I can add to. So, here it goes.

Goals for this week.

1. Go to bed with a clean kitchen. (Empty sink, clean counters)

2. Get come sort of physical movement for at least 15 minutes every day. (Yes I know it should be at least 20, but with 3 kids, a full time job, and a crazy schedule, I want this to be something I can do with success)

That is it for this week. I am starting simple. :)
We will see how it goes and I will post about it next week.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T09:01:00.001-08:00

This year I did not send out Christmas cards. Judging from my mailbox, many people didn't. Or maybe I just didn't get too many. :) Anyway, I just wanted to share some photos I took of the kids. I took them to the park earlier in the week to get some pictures for a project. It was a lot of fun and I was really happy with how they turned out.

December 2009

Big Brother

Big Sister

Lil' Sister

From our family to yours, may your CHRISTmas be merry and your new year be filled with HIS love!

Holiday Eating Guide-Just for Giggles

2009-12-18T13:54:00.000-08:00

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS
A friend emailed this to me and I had to share!

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, likefrosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like Pumpkin, have two apples and one Pecan. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention.

Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate and wine in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!" Have a great holiday season!!

Merry Christmas !!!

Menu Plan Monday 12/14

2009-12-13T20:50:00.001-08:00

Menu Plan Monday 12/14/2009

I am hoping for an easy week. Last week of work for a couple of weeks! :) I am looking forward to using the most of my two weeks off and stocking up my freezer with OAMC meals and breakfasts. So come back next week and see what I will be making! Here is this week...

Monday-BLT's

Tuesday - Left over pork loin(thanks dad), mashed potatoes

Wednesday - Teryaki meatballs and rice

Thursday - leftovers

Friday - Tostada night

Saturday - Soccer party

Remember to stop by orgjunkie.com for many wonderful recipe plans!

This morning I made zucchini muffins. Here is the yummy recipe.

Mix together:

3 eggs - beaten

3/4 cup oil

2 cups sugar

2 cups zucchini-grated

2 tsp. vanilla

Mix together in separate bowl:

3 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1/ tsp baking powder

Add dry ingredients to zucchini and mix well.

Bake at 325 for 25-30 minutes in paper lined muffin pan or bake 1 hour for loaf.

Menu Plan Monday

2009-12-06T16:19:00.001-08:00

It has been WAY too ling since I have done MPM. I love menu planning. It saves me time, keeps me organized, and makes me feel better. Time has really gotten away from me. I am hoping to keep up with this now. I really need to! Be sure to stop by orgjunkie.com for hundreds of recipes!

Monday - Velveeta Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Bake

Tuesday - Healthified Mexican Skillet

Wednesday - BLT's

Thursday - Girl Scout pot luck

Friday - Tostada night

Saturday - Meatballs/rice

Have a great week!

Fall is here???

2009-11-08T20:50:00.001-08:00

Well it has been fall for a while...at least that is what they tell me. It is still 85 inside my house and it looks like we will be in the high 80's this week. One advantage to living in AZ is the weather during this time of year. However, I am ready to wear my sweaters and get a hot mocha from Starbucks, not a cold frappuchino!
With Thanksgiving around the corner, I decided to make a Pumpkin Roll today. No, not an actual pumpkin, but this great recipe! http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/detail.aspx?ID=32372
It was the first time I've made it, but it is a keeper. Everyone really enjoyed it. It may not be healthy, but that's what New Year's Resolutions are for, right?
Enjoy!

Halloween 2009

2009-10-31T21:26:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of the kids, Halloween 2009!

The Unknown Phantom

The Candy Corn Witch

Dorothy and Toto

Final Count.....3

2009-10-12T15:50:00.000-07:00

My husband and I have known for a while that we did not want any more children. Our family feels complete and our youngest will be in kindergarten next year. So, in July I had the Essure procedure done. It is non-surgical permanent birth control. Today we found out the results and I am happy to report that our final kid count is 3! The procedure was easy and I would recommend it to anyone who is not looking to have any more children.
God has blessed us with three healthy, smart, and of course beautiful children. We are so thankful and grateful to have 3 awesome kids! We could not ask for more. So the blog name stays...My Fabulous Family of 5!

Menu Plan Monday August 31!

2009-08-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

Menu Plan week of August 31.
I can't believe August is over! I recently had a Pampered Chef party and I am trying a few new recipes so I can use my new stuff! For fabulous recipe ideas head over to orgjunkie.com ! I hope to post the recipes later this week.

M - Chicken Fajitas
T - Mexican Chicken and Rice
W - Boca Burgers
TH - Greek Chicken with Orzo
F, S, and S - Out of town

A few great recipes

2009-08-22T13:04:00.001-07:00

This last week I made a few new recipes that my family and I really liked.

The first is Beef Baked Ziti. It is super easy and good for you.
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 t olive oil
1 T minced garlic
28 oz stewed tomatoes
1/2 t pepper
1 t oregano
1 t rosemary
1 t thyme
1/2 t salt
12 oz ziti, cooked and drained
1 c shredded part skim mozzarella

Directions:
Brown ground beef in olive oil and garlic. Drain.
Add all other ingredients except pasta and cheese.
Cook for 5 minutes.
Combine pasta and meat mixture and then pour into sprayed 9 x 13 pan.
Top with cheese and bake for 30 minutes at 350.
Makes 8 servings.

The second one I'd like to share is Hash Brown Casserole. YUM without all the fat of the original version.
Ingredients:
2 lb bag frozen hash browns, southern style
10 oz can cheddar cheese soup
16 oz fat free sour cream
1/2 t salt
1/2 t pepper
7 oz Kraft 2% shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
Mix all ingredients except for the shredded cheese.
Pour into sprayed 9 x 13 pan.
Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Bake 1 hour at 375.
Makes 8 servings.

Menu Plan Monday August 17

2009-08-16T20:18:00.000-07:00

Last week I didn't menu plan and we paid the price...ate out too much! I am so happy to have a plan for this week! Head over to www.orgjunkie.com for tons of great recipes and ideas!

M - Beef Baked Ziti
T - Hash brown casserole
W - Cobb salad
TH - Turkey chili
F - Taco salad
S - Dinner with friends
S - Turkey and all the fixings!

I'll try to post recipes as we have them.

If you have any easy and healthy recipes for breakfast..send them my way!

Menu Plan Monday August 3

2009-08-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

School starts next week so I am now officially back to work. The summer was great but went by entirely too fast. I am so glad I plan menus to help with the "what is for dinner." It will especially be helpful as I head back to work. Hope you enjoy it!

Check out www.orgjunkie.com each week for great recipes. The Happy Housewife is hosting MPM this week. Love her website..check it out!

Breakfast
M - Scrambled eggs, toast
T - Whole wheat waffles
W - cereal
Th - Egg McMuffins(homemade)
F - No-oil muffins with blueberries
S - cereal
S - Omelets

Dinner
M - Cheese stuffed shells
T - Taco Soup (recipe below)
W - Loaded baked potatoes
Th - Out (Meet the teacher for me)
F - Italian herb chicken
S - Chicken spiral salad
S - Italian burgers (recipe below)

Taco Soup
1 lb extra lean ground beef
1/2 c. onion, diced
1 pkg reducedd sopdium taco seasoning
1 pkg ranch dressing mix
2 cans black beans, drained
1 can corn, drained
1 14 ozz can rotel

Brown ground beef and onions in a large pot.
Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.
Garnish with reduced fat cheese and light sour cream.

Italian Burgers
1/2 c onion, diced
1/3 c fat free italian dressing
1 1/2 lb extra lean ground eef
6 whole wheat buns

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Divide into 6 burgers and cook.

Thrifty Thursday July 30

2009-07-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Thrifty Thursday

ALERT!! Today is National Cheesecake Day! Head to your nearest Cheesecake Factory and grab a piece of cheesecake for half price! Go here for more information or call your nearest restaurant to make sure they are participating. Someone PLEASE eat a slice for me!

Honey Bunches of Oats has a $2.00 coupon on their website. Go here to print it!

Thrifty Tip:
When produce you use regularly goes on sale, purchase extra and freeze it. A few weeks ago, a new Fry's opened and they have been having some great deals on produce. They had grapes, blueberries, and green and red peppers on sale. I bought enough for the week and then bought extra to freeze. This way we can enjoy them when they are not in season.

Menu Plan Monday July 27

2009-07-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

July 27 Menu Plan

For many great menu plan ideas visit orgjunkie.com!

Sorry for dinner only and no links this week. We were out of town again.

M - Teriyaki chicken with edamame
T - Grilled shrimp with rice
W - Salsa Crock-pot chicken
Th - Veggie pasta salad
F - Boca burgers
S - Round steak/potatoes/corn
S - Out

Thrifty Thursday

2009-07-23T13:41:00.001-07:00

Hey there! Sorry this is late....so many things going on here.

Wal-Mart online is a great place to get free samples. Go here to see what they are giving away right now. If you see a deal, sign up fast because they go quickly. They also change. Yesterday I got a free roll of TP and wipes!

Do you like Hidden Valley Dressings? Go here to download a cookbook from Hidden Valley.

Go here for a Healthy Lunch Box Recipe Guide. All you need is two UPC codes from Ziploc products. Now I just need to go and buy one more Ziploc product. (I only have one right now.) There are also other offers to sign up for!

Thrifty Tip:
Clean out your pantry regularly. It seems simple, but when you have a small pantry like I do, sometimes things get pushed to the back. Then when you go to use them...they have expired. Sadly, I had to throw out three items this week...taco shells, jello singles, and broth.

Menu Plan Monday July 20

2009-07-19T19:59:00.000-07:00

I am back after two weeks off. We went on a very nice vacation in San Diego. I am ready to be back on a plan so here is my menu for this week.

Breakfast

M - Whole wheat waffles

T - cereal

W - cereal

Th - Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins

F - cereal

S - egg/potato burritos

S - pancakes

Lunches will be leftovers, english muffin pizzas, and sandwiches

Dinner

M - Caribbean jerk chicken and zucchini

T - Black bean soup

W - Chicken pasta salad

Th - Meatloaf

F - chili (we will be camping for the weekend)

S - hot dogs

S - out

Baking Day

2009-07-09T14:21:00.000-07:00

Today I baked some goodies to store in the freezer for easy breakfasts/snacks for a later time.

First I made whole wheat waffles. I make these regularly and they are great!

Then I made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Lastly I made Good-For-You Choc-Oat-Chip Cookies. The recipes are below. The last two aren't that healthy, but I made modifications where I could to eliminate some fat/calories.

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins (from Money Saving Mom)

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

1 (15oz) can pureed pumpkin

1 1/2 cups oil (I use unsweetened applesauce instead)

3 cups flour ( I use whole wheat flour)

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1 12 oz package chocolate chips

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin, and oil until smooth. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full and bake 16-20 minutes at 400 degrees. Makes 24-30 muffins.

Good-For-You Choc-Oat Chip Cookies

I got this from Nestle. Click here for the recipe.

Now I am off to do the dishes!

Thrifty Thursday

2009-07-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

This week has been extremely busy for me. I am sorry to only have one deal. It is a great one though!
Did you know Friday is Chick-fil-A Cow appreciation day? Check out their website here for more details. You can go into any Chick-fil-A dressed as a cow and receive a free meal. They are also running a few contests to go along with it. Enjoy!

Thrifty Tip: Going on vacation in another city? Go to the city's website and sign up for their newsletter or visitor guide. Some will send you coupons for attractions/restaurants in their city. You can also search for free or cheap activities!

Works for Me Wednesday

2009-07-08T12:38:00.000-07:00

This is the first time I am participating in WFMW. I have lingered a long time.

For great tips go to http://www.wearethatfamily.com/ .

This is not just a summer tip - but an anytime tip!

It seems when all of my children reached about 4 they started to have bad dreams. Last night I was reminded of a trick I used with my older two children. "Sweet Dream Spray" Lately my 4 year old has been having bad dreams. I tried other "tricks" to help her have good dreams from prayers to special stuffed animals. Last night I remembered that I use to use a body or room spray as "Sweet Dream Spray" to help my children have sweet dreams. So last night I found some body spray from Bath and Body Works, told my youngest about it, and then we sprayed some in her room. Guess what...no bad dreams last night and her room smelled great! I will do whatever it takes to help my kids sleep soundly.

Thrifty Thursday 7/2

2009-07-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

Check your local Chick-Fil-A. The one closest to me is having "Free Breakfast Week!" It ends tomorrow. Thursday you get a free chicken biscuit and Friday you get free chicken minis. Yum!

Old Navy is selling their flag T for just $1.00 on Friday, July 3!! Limit 5 per customer.

Check out coupons.com and redplum for new coupons. They usually provide new coupons at the beginning of each month.

Thrifty Tip of the Week:
Have bananas that are turning brown? Peel them, slice them, and freeze them to use at a later date. I usually slice mine, lay them on a cookie sheet and freeze them for about an hour. After that I put them in a Ziploc bag and freeze them to use in smoothies or recipes.

Have a fabulous day!

Menu Plan Monday June 29

2009-06-28T20:15:00.000-07:00

Menu Plan Monday week of June 29-July 5

First I'd like to thank Laura at http://orgjunkie.com/ for hosting this every week. Check out her website and many wonderful menu plans with recipes!

Breakfast

M - No -oil muffins with oats and chips(will freeze some for later)

T - Whole wheat waffles

W - Cereal

Th - Pineapple/Mango smoothies

F - Cereal

S - Muffins(from freezer)

S - Omelet bake

Lunches - Leftovers/sandwiches/salads

Dinner

M - Mini Pepperoni Pizzas (recipe below)

T - Turkey taco wraps (recipe below)

W - Chicken Kiev with steamed veggies

Th - Easy Feta Chicken Bake

F - Taco salad/tostadas

S - BBQ of course

S - Smothered chicken with asparagus

Fun foods for the 4th

I am hoping to make Patriotic Pops. They are fun for the kids and taste great!

I am also hoping to make a Summer Berry Pie. I will be making it the "healthy" way to lessen to amount of calories and fat.

I have made both of these before and they were a hit!

Mini pepperoni pizzas (from Suzanne Somers' Fast and Easy)

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, at room temp

2 eggs

salt and ground pepper

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup marinara sauce

pinch cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

6 ounces pepperoni

Preheat oven to 350. Butter a 9x13 baking dish. Set aside.

In a bowl, blend cream cheese and eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until combined. Pour into baking dish and bake for 17 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cream cheese crust cool 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix together marinara sauce, cayenne pepper, and oregano. Set aside.

Raise oven to 400 degrees. Using a 4 inch round cookie cutter, cut 6 rounds out of the crust. Discard the extra crust, leaving the 6 pieces in place in the baking dish. Top each crust with marinara sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. Bake for 8 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

Turkey Taco Wraps (from Suzanne Somers' Fast and Easy)

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 cup dices red onion

1 pound ground turkey

2 tsp taco seasoning

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup diced tomato

1/3 cup sliced scallions

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped

1 head of lettuce

1 cup shredded cheese

sour cream and salsa, for garnish

Place a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and onions. Saute for 3-4 minutes, until onions become translucent. Add turkey and saute until brown, about 5 minutes. Add taco seasoning and salt. Cook for 1 minute more. Remove from heat and stir in tomato, scallions, cilantro, and jalapeno.

Lay 2 lettuce leaves on a clean work surface. Spoon 1/4 cup cheese, 2/3 cup ground turkey mixture, salsa, and sour cream onto the lettuce. Roll up lettuce leaves in cone shapes.

Pineapple/Mango Smoothies

2009-06-27T13:08:00.000-07:00

I am becoming a fan of smoothies!
Yesterday I made a great smoothie! It is light and refreshing.

1 cup orange juice
1 cup frozen mango (cut into cubes)
1 cup frozen pineapple (cut into cubes)
4 oz water, or more if needed

Place all ingredients into blender and blend to desired consistency.
Enjoy!

Thrifty Thursday 6/25

2009-06-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another Thrifty Thursday!

First I'd like to wish my friend Amanda a great Happy Birthday!!!

Now, on to the deals!

You can go here to order a free DVD from Fisher Price. It is about princesses. It would make a great stocking stuffer!

Go here to print out coupons from RedPlum!

Get a coupon for a FREE sample of Yoplait Whips here.

Here is one more freebie. Go here to sign up for a FREE sample of Dunkin' Donuts coffee!

Thrifty Tip of the Day:
Your turn! Please share your thrifty tips. I'd love to hear from you!

Menu Plan Monday June 22-28

2009-06-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

Here is my Menu Plan for the week of June 22-28.

Breakfast

M - Whole wheat waffles

T - Smoothies

W - Cereal

Th - Breakfast sundaes

F - Whole Wheat pancakes (I will use the waffle recipe to make pancakes)

S - Cereal

S - Omelets

Lunch

Nothing special - Just sandwiches and leftovers

Dinner

M - Meatloaf

T - Heart Healthy Soup

W - Chicken Lettuce Cups (recipe below)

Th - Round steak, potatoes, corn

F - Tostada night

S - Steak kabobs

S - Free for all

Chicken Lettuce Cups (from Good Housekeeping)

3 tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce

2 tsp grated peeled fresh ginger

1 tsp honey

2 tsp Asian sesame oil

1 1/4 lbs chicken tenders, cut in chunks

1 cup frozen shelled edamame

2 medium stalks celery, chopped

12 large boston lettuce leaves

1. In a cup combine soy sauce, ginger, and honey. Set aside.

2. In a non-stick skillet, heat sesame oil on medium 1 minute. Add chicken chunks and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add edamame to chicken in skillet; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in celery; cook 2 minutes longer. Add soy sauce mixture; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally to coat chicken with sauce. Makes about 3 1/2 cups.

4. Arrange lettuce leaves on 4 plates. Divide chicken mixture among the lettuce leaves, using a generous 1/4 cup per leaf. Fold leaves over chicken mixture and enjoy!

Dads and donuts!

2009-06-21T10:43:00.001-07:00

Happy Father's Day to the two awesome dads in my life - my husband and my dad!

This morning I made breakfast for hubby. I made semi-homemade donuts.

Take a can of biscuits and use a small cookie cutter or water bottle lid to make a hole in each biscuit. Then fry the hole and the rest of the biscuit in oil to make them donuts! Fry each side about 2-3 minutes. Then place the donuts on a paper towel. When partly cooled, put on the topping you prefer. I use powdered sugar and a glaze using milk and powdered sugar. Yum!

Thrifty Thursday

2009-06-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Thrifty Thursday is here.

Here are some links for coupons.

Get two free packets of seasonings from Emeril's Original Essence here.

Get a free sample of Huggies Pure and Natural here.

Looking for Lysol coupons? Go here for $11.00 worth of Lysol coupons.

Thrifty Tip

Always wash/dry clothes during off-peak hours. Also, invest in a clothes line. They are convenient and save tons of money that your dryer sucks up!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics for Wordless Wednesday. See you tomorrow for Thrifty Thursday!

That dark spot is Lil' Sister after she came shooting off the slide during swim lessons!

Great deal with fun!

2009-06-16T12:45:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we went to the Phoenix Zoo. They are having a special right now - kids are free! You know I love free. So, we were there when they opened at 7 AM. Yes, it was quite early, but we got to see all but two animals. They also have a fun new feature for the kids, a water area for them to play in. That may have been their favorite part. We were there for about 4 and a half hours. We may go again before summer is over. Here are some pics I got while we were there.

Menu Plan Monday 6/15

2009-06-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

Good Monday to everyone! Last week I didn't get to a few dinners, so you will see some repeats. We are still eating as much as possible from the pantry and freezer!
Please stop by http://orgjunkie.com/
for many awesome meal plans and ideas!!

Breakfasts
Monday - Whole Wheat Waffles
Tuesday - Breakfast Sundaes (Granola/yogurt/fresh berries)
Wednesday - Cereal
Thursday - Strawberry/kiwi muffins
Friday - Whole Wheat Waffles
Saturday - Eggs/toast
Sunday - Homemade donuts

Lunches
Monday - Picnic at the zoo
Tuesday - Out (after Dr. appointments and two kids that have to get shots)
Wednesday - English Muffin Pizzas
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - English Muffin Pizzas
Saturday - Sandwiches
Sunday - Egg/Potato/Sausage burritos

Dinners
Monday - Black Bean Burgers
Tuesday - Easy Feta Chicken Bake
Wednesday - Baked chimichangas
Thursday - Lentil tacos
Friday - Tostada night
Saturday - Spaghetti
Sunday - Out

I will also be making homemade twix bars for Father's Day. My hubby loves Twix candy bars!

Have a super week!

What's with the Swidget???

2009-06-12T16:15:00.000-07:00

So you may have noticed that there is a Swidget at the top of my page. I am inviting you to join Swagbucks! It is a great way to earn prizes. All you have to do is sign up. Then anytime you want to search for something online, search through swagbucks and you can earn swagbucks to be redeemed for prizes. You can also shop through the swagbucks website and earn swagbucks for that as well. Check it out! Please go through this link so I can earn swagbucks! Thanks!

Family Friday!

2009-06-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some updates of what happened around here this week.

Big brother - Still kickin' away with soccer.
Big sis - Had her first volleyball game this last week. She is getting better each game and we are excited to see her growth.
Lil'sis - Swim lessons are done. Her instructor made the comment that she had "great enthusiasm". Is that a nice way to say she is hyper? :)
Exciting news - The school I teach at will offer a pre-k class for 4 year olds. So that means Lil' sis can now come to school with the rest of us. Yeah! She is super excited! So are Big brother and sister - now they can sleep 20 minutes more each morning!

Have a blessed weekend!

Thrifty Thursday

2009-06-11T00:30:00.000-07:00

Check out the Cherrios website here to sign up for $4.00 in coupons!

Who likes chocolate? How about FREE chocolate? Go here to register to receive a coupon for FREE chocolate.

Want to earn while you search, shop, or play? Join swagbucks! I just started last week and I am earning swagbucks each day. Go here and sign up today!

Thrifty Tip of the Day!

Have leftover bread? Why not make bread crumbs? Instead of throwing away bread heels or leftover bread, use them to make bread crumbs. Store in an airtight container or for use later, store them in the freezer.

Isn't she pretty?

2009-06-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

Isn't she pretty? I have been wanting this mixer for about 6 months now. Friday I took advantage of a great sale Kohl's was having. I had planned on getting a black one to match my kitchen. However, when I got to Kohl's the pink was $50.00 LESS than the black one! Plus, I got another 10% off the 20% I was going to save. I saved $160.00!! Also, when you buy the pink one, KitchenAid donates $50.00 towards the Komen Foundation! I am super excited. I plan on making bread with it today. No more hand kneading for me!

Menu Plan Monday June 8

2009-06-07T23:00:00.000-07:00

For fabulous menus and recipes be sure to visit http://orgjunkie.com/ for hundreds of ideas!

Last week was a success with my first Menu Plan! We ate very well and had a lot of leftovers. This week I planned more leftovers. We are also eating as much as possible from the freezer, food I got from the co-op and pantry.

Breakfasts

Monday - Smoothies and cantaloupe

Tuesday - Banana bread (from freezer) and watermelon

Wednesday - Cereal and kiwi

Thursday - Granola/yogurt/peaches

Friday - Strawberry/kiwi muffins (we loved this new recipe/from freezer) and oranges

Saturday - Whole Wheat Waffles (from freezer)

Sunday -Pancakes

Lunches

Monday - Mac/cheese and cherries

Tuesday - Grilled cheese and grapes

Wednesday - Leftovers and cherries

Thursday - Leftovers and oranges

Friday - Grilled cheese and oranges

Saturday - FFA(free for all)

Sunday - Out

Dinners

Monday - Healthified Mexican Pasta Skillet and cauliflower

Tuesday - Hearty Fiesta Bean Soup (see below for recipe) and salad

Wednesday - Black bean burgers/asparagus

Thursday - Pasta salad

Friday - Tostada night

Saturday - Spaghetti

Sunday - Grilled tilapia/asparagus

Hearty Fiesta Bean Soup

1 - 15 oz can chicken or vegetable broth

1 - 16 oz can fat-free refried beans

1 - 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 - 15.25 oz can corn, drained and rinsed

1 - 10 oz can tomatoes and chilies

Put the broth and refried beans into a soup pot and heat, while whisking together, until the beans have incorporated fully into the broth.

Add the rest of the ingredients and heat, while stirring until the soup is boiling.

Serve with a variety of toppings: fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, light sour cream, or tabasco.

Serves 6

Calories 215, fat 1.7, fiber 11 g, protein 12 g

WW Points Plus - 23 points for entire recipe. If you divide into 6 servings, it would be a little less than 4 points.

Bountiful Baskets

2009-06-07T13:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I participated in a food co-op for produce. I went through Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op. I used to participate regularly. It is worth every penny and I decided to participate again. For $15.00 this is what I got:

1 head lettuce

1 bag of cherries

1 bunch of asparagus

1 english cucumber

9 bananas

1 head of cauliflower

1 watermelon

1 cantaloupe

2 red peppers

11 fuji apples

10 peaches

9 roma tomatoes

I am thinking it would have cost around $30.00 in the stores. Here is some more information about the co-op. If you live where they offer something like this, I highly recommend it!

About Bountiful Baskets Co-op
Bountiful Baskets is not a business. It is a group of people who work together for mutual benefit. We are up front and open about how things work. Our policies are as follows:
Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op serves the Phoenix Metro Area, and we are branching out to Tucson, Yuma, Flagstaff, Northern Arizona, and Utah. We run at least every two weeks at each site. We are completely volunteer-run and make no profit. We have the following distribution sites and look forward to adding other distribution sites as volunteers are trained and ready to open them! Please see our home page for a complete listing of current sites.

Family week in review

2009-06-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

The first full week of summer vacation with all three kiddos has been very busy!
Big brother - Started soccer training his week. It is four nights a week. I am so proud of his dedication and hard work!
Big sister - Has her first volleyball game on Saturday. She is nervous but is going to do great! She has even been practicing on her own at home.
Lil' sister - Started swim lessons this week. My favorite quote she said this week was, "Oh my gosh, that was a challenge!" That was after she swam across the pool! She also had her first dentist appointment and I am happy to report...no cavities!!!

The crazy chaos continues next week...more soccer, volleyball, and swimming.
Enjoy the weekend! See you Monday with Menu Plan Monday!

Thrifty Thursday!

2009-06-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my first Thrifty Thursday post. I hope each Thursday I can share some links for coupons, freebies, or thrifty ideas. Hope they can help you!

Get a free cup from Juicy Juice here. This offer is for first time registration with their website.

Go here, for coupons.com to print coupons for your next shopping trip.

If you are like me, the precious photos you take are on your computer, not printed. Here is an offer from CVS to get 50 free prints! Then, just find some frames and you are good to go!

Thrifty tip of the day: Dryer sheets can last more than one cycle in the dryer. I always use mine twice!

Hope you enjoyed this post and I hope it was useful to you somehow!

Free Root Beer Floats!!

2009-06-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows I like anything free. Today from 8pm - midnight Sonic is giving 10 oz root beer floats for FREE! This is only good today, June 3. Enjoy!!

Whole Wheat Waffles

2009-06-02T11:46:00.001-07:00

I made these great waffles last night. I like to make a batch and them freeze most of them so the kids can eat healthy waffles whenever they want. I modified this recipe from The Happy Housewife's recipe .
Here is mine.

Whole Wheat Waffles
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
4 tbsp ground flaxseed
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce(instead of oil)
1/4 cup honey
4 eggs
3 cups buttermilk(I use powdered form and add water)

Combine all dry ingredients, then blend in all the liquid ingredients. Bake as you would in a waffle iron. Enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday!

2009-05-31T10:30:00.000-07:00

I am super excited to be posting my first Menu Plan Monday post!

For fabulous menus and recipes be sure to visit http://orgjunkie.com/ for hundreds of ideas!

Breakfast
Monday - Smoothies
Tuesday - Whole wheat waffles(with flaxseed)
Wednesday - Cereal
Thursday - Strawberry/kiwi muffins
Friday - Eggs/toast
Saturday - Cinnamon vanilla french toast nuggets (recipe below)
Sunday - Oven baked omelet

Lunch
Monday - English muffin pizzas (I made whole wheat english muffins last week)
Tuesday - Grilled ham and cheese
Wednesday - Quesadillas
Thursday - Cheese/veggies/crackers
Friday - Bean burritos
Saturday - FFA(Free for all)
Sunday - Out for lunch

Dinner
Monday - Shrimp and cauliflower
Tuesday - Chicken Stir Fry(from freezer)/brown rice
Wednesday - Egg/potato/sausage burritos
Thursday - Meatloaf(from freezer)/baked potatoes/green beans
Friday - Tostada night
Saturday - Baked Chimis
Sunday - Salsa chicken

** The english muffin pizzas, grilled cheese, and quesadillas will have have hidden veggies in them. See "more veggies please" post for details.

Cinnamon-vanilla french toast nuggets (From Hungry Girl 200 under 200)
2 hot dog buns
1/3 cup fat free liquid egg substitute
1 t. sugar free french vanilla powdered creamer
2 dashes cinnamon
Optional topping-sugar free pancake syrup

Split each bun in half and cut into four pieces(so you have 16)
In a small bowl, dissolve powdered creamer in 1 tablespoon warm water. Add egg substitute and 1 dash cinnamon, stirring until mixed well.
Bring a large pan sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat. Dip or soak bread pieces in egg mixture, covering them completely. Place egg dipped bread pieces in the pan and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, flipping occasionally to cook all sides.
Remove from heat and place on a plate. Sprinkle with another dash of cinnamon or sugar free syrup.

Makes 2 servings.

More Veggies Please!

2009-05-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

My children are really good about eating their vegetables. But what mother wouldn't want their child to get even more into their diet? Almost two years ago I bought Jessica Seinfeld's book, Deceptively Delicious, in a quest to get my youngest to eat her veggies. It worked then, but finding time to puree is difficult during the school year. So, I decided to puree some veggies today. Today I spent about 2 hours steaming and pureeing carrots, butternut squash, spinach, and sweet potatoes. Over the next few weeks my children will be getting more veggies hidden in some of their favorite meals(english muffin pizzas, grilled cheese, mac n cheese). My two oldest will know about the deception, but not my four year old. (Although she may figure it out.) Wish me luck!

Whole Wheat English Muffins

2009-05-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I made whole wheat english muffins. The kids loved them! You can find the recipe here. I froze half of them to be used for a recipe next week. Come back Monday for Menu Plan Monday to check out the details!

Welcome family and friends

2009-05-28T14:05:00.001-07:00

Here are my awesome kids! We are at our favorite place, Disneyland!

I am hoping this blog can be a place where I share what is new with our family, along with cooking ideas and of course, saving money! Hope you enjoy my blogging adventure!

I finally took the plunge

2009-05-25T11:43:00.001-07:00

Well here is my first blog. I am excited to be able to share with family and friends what is going on with us. I look forward to having fun with this!