Meal Planning

March 4, 2014

I have been trying really hard to keep with a meal plan every week for our weeknight dinners. It not only helps us stay on track health-wise but also budget-wise. I was making my list and grocery shopping on Sunday’s but it actually takes a good chunk of time and honestly I would rather spend a full free day hanging with my family, not pouring over the internet looking for recipes and spending an hour at the grocery store. So I have started planning and shopping on Monday and I will say it is working a lot better. That way I can shop solo which is always a little easier and a LOT quicker. I have this dry erase sticker that we keep on the fridge. That way everyone knows what the plan is. But mainly it is so I stay on track.

I am really really trying to get to a point where the whole family eats the same thing. While my daughter is pretty game for just about any food, my son is super-picky. I always say that for being the child of parents who will eat (or at least try) ANYTHING, we created the pickiest eater. He is definitely a “kid food” type. But I’ve found that the more he helps me cook, the more new things he is willing to try. I think being part of the process really interests him. So, for now we have two meal plans, one for us and one for the kids. But I hope to change that soon.

Here is what our plan looks like this week.

Monday

Us- Taco Salads. Ground beef sautéed with coconut oil, a strawberry onion (picked two up at a farm stand after we left the Strawberry Festival. These are so good), 2 zucchini and the following spices, chili powder, cumin, chipotle chili powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Topped with mashed avocado, tomatoes and hot sauce. I added some cottage cheese to mine.

Kids- Chicken nuggets, 365 Organic Shells and Cheese, frozen corn, whole wheat King’s Hawaiian rolls, strawberries for the Princess and grapes for Little Man.

Tuesday

Eating out. Dinner with Little Man’s Tee Ball team

Wednesday

Us-Crockpot Pork Roast. I will normally put a 2lb roast in the crock pot with an onion, a couple cloves of garlic, chicken stock, onion powder, salt and pepper. I keep the seasonings pretty basic because we normally spread this out over two days. We will eat this with roasted veggies. I normally roast broccoli, brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes all at the same time.

Kids- Grilled Cheese on Whole Wheat King’s Hawaiian Rolls. Frozen corn and pineapple to go with.

Thursday

Us- This is a Tee Ball game night. Convenience is key so we aren’t tempted to just eat out after. Leftover pork will turn into carnitas bowls. I re-heat the pork and then eat over broccoli slaw (normally I would use brown rice but I’m really trying this week to stay away from rice at dinnertime) and top with all sorts of stuff. Salsa, avocado (more than likely leftover roasted veggies too), fat free greek yogurt (for me), tomatoes, cucumbers and lots of hot sauce.

Kids-Little Man will probably have a cheese stick and peanut butter and jelly sandwich before the game. The Princess will snack at the game and then when we get home they will have homemade pizzas on pita with strawberries/pineapple and broccoli “trees”.

Friday

This is the day we normally play it by ear. Little Man has golf lessons that last late so when we grab him he is normally starving. We may have leftovers or take out. Friday’s are always a toss-up and that is fine with me as long as we stuck to the plan for the beginning portion of the week for the most part 😉

I really want to try eat a little better during the week so I don’t feel so bad indulging in this on the weekend.

It is all about goals right?

What is your meal planning process? Any tips or tricks that work for you?

Busy Weekend

March 3, 2014

Hard to believe it is already Monday again. This weekend was jam-packed for us. We decided to take advantage of the weather and spent almost the entire weekend outside. Here are a few highlights.

Saturday morning started with a trip to the bakery. We have tried going to this bakery before but we always seem to think of it on Sunday’s when it is closed. So Saturday we woke up early and I took the kids to check it out. This will definitely not be the last time we go here. They have so many different things to choose from. We got two cinnamon rolls, one maple bacon cinnamon roll and a berry cream galette. Everything was awesome especially the maple bacon cinnamon roll. Make sure you get there a little early because I think they sell out of them pretty quickly. I certainly know why!

After that we had the first daytime Tee Ball game of the season. There are so many players this season that we actually have two games a week. One during the week in the evening and then another on Saturday. We are definitely going to be at these fields a lot over the next couple months.

The weather was perfect and the kids had a blast. Little Man had two really good hits. The Princess and I cheered them on.

Goldfish break

After the game we headed to the coast again. It was really windy but the kids had fun again walking on the pier and playing in the sand.

I know this is out of focus but I couldn’t resist. They are so crazy.

Beach Toes

Sunday was all about the Florida Strawberry Festival. We got up somewhat early and made the drive which took a little over an hour. It was really busy and really hot. The kids had such a fun time though. We decided to get our Strawberry Shortcake first as the lines tend to get really long once the day wears on. So delicious. The rest of the afternoon was spent riding rides, eating Amish donuts, corn dogs and more lemonade than I’ve had in a year. It was a really great time, although I’m hoping next year we can sneak over during the week when it isn’t as crowded.

“I want to go on the America-Round”

“Mommy, I see you in my glasses”

So as you can see we had a busy weekend of family fun. Now back to work and a healthy meal/exercise plan to make up for all the shenanigans this weekend.

How was your weekend?

Anyone ever been to the Florida Strawberry Festival? What was your favorite part?

Happy Harper Day!

February 26, 2014

Yesterday, my sweet sweet boy, we celebrated your sixth year! Everyone you meet loves you and we do too!

Here are the things you really like right now.

Playing Disney Infinity
Asking LOTS and LOTS of questions. You want to know so much about everything and I love it! It is amazing how your brain works.
Reading. You are reading chapter books now and are so good at it. I still cannot believe you can read to me. You are so smart.
Fried shrimp. This one amazes me because you are very picky otherwise. But I love that you are trying new things.
Tee Ball. You hit and catch really well and I am so proud of you every time I watch.
You’ve just started golf lessons and you really like them.
Helping. You are such a great helper and are always willing to lend a hand.

Things you are not really into right now.

Being patience with your sister.
Eating any veggie other than green peas and broccoli. You also really don’t like to try too many new things.
Anything too scary. You still come visit me in the night when you have a nightmare (I am hoping you keep doing this as I don’t know what I will do when you are too old to need your Mommy).

You truly inspire us every day and it is wonderful to see the world through your eyes. We love you more than the sun, the moon and the universe.

It’s a Virtue

February 11, 2014

(via)

I used to watch John and Kate Plus 8. Not regularly, but if I came across it, I wouldn’t change the channel. I remember a particular episode where Kate was losing her patience-a lot. She was yelling-a lot. No judgy-mcjudgerson here, I mean seriously, she has EIGHT children. In the episode, the six little ones were just wobbling around. I can’t even. Holy-freakin-diapers! I didn’t have kids at the time but I could still understand how difficult it must be to take care of all those little ones. I just think it says something that my main takeaway from the episode was the severity of her frustration. Like she was going to implode.

I have never been patient. Never. I tend to move at one speed at all times-Mach 20. Anything that pumps the breaks on my momentum tends to feel the wrath. I figured that once I gave birth the patience gene would appear. I figured it was a chemical change that happens in your body once you become a mother. I mean, once you have a baby you HAVE to have patience right? Nah su much.

Recently, I find myself sounding like Kate-a lot. Losing my patience and becoming frustrated at these two little humans that are just trying to figure it all out. I try to get out of the house and my three year old says “I do it MYSELF” at least a dozen times. Which means when I look at her before leaving I see, her shirt on backwards, toothpaste all over her cheek, yogurt on her pants and her shoes on the wrong feet. Totally adorable, but the only thing on my mind is how late I will be now that I have to “fix” all these things. In that moment I should be recognizing the look of pride in her eyes because to her, she DID do it all herself. But all she hears are the groans and sighs and all she sees is the look of annoyance in my eyes. I hate to think what that does to her.

If my son wants to help in the kitchen, and I get frustrated because the egg shells are in the mix and the flour has gotten all over the floor that I just cleaned. I should be excited that he wants to help as he is such a picky eater that this may be the only way I can get him to try new things and be as excited about food as I am.

These moments will be gone in a flash. Does it really matter that I am going to be off my schedule by the 10 minutes it will take to help her? Will it kill me to fish out the eggshells and clean the floor again? Absolutely. Not. So…in staying with my resolution of trying to better myself, I MUST MUST MUST be more present and calm. I have got to find joy in these little moments. Take pleasure in the fact that this sweet little girl is going to be independent and determined and my support will help her do that. Remember how great it is that this amazing little boy is going to be interested, helpful, smart and caring and how I react to his engagement in different activities will help him grow.

I would hate for my kids to look back at their childhood and think Mommy was always so mad or frustrated. I want them to think of these times as happy ones. I want them to remember the expression on my face as smiling, not frowning. Because this is definitely the happiest time of my life and they are the reason.

Here are a few things from the internet I found that really hit home for me on this topic.

I like this Mom’s advice.

I am seriously thinking of this. I’ve been wanting to try for a while.

This post makes my heart stop a little. I can totally relate.

Have you had luck in becoming more patient in motherhood? I need details!

Sunday Funday

February 10, 2014

I love days that turn into fun adventures that aren’t planned. We had an exceptionally fun Sunday. Normally Sundays consist of cleaning, laundry, meal planning, kids staying in their pajamas too long, laundry, me staying in my pajamas too long, grocery shopping and did I mention laundry? When we woke up to a beautiful day on Sunday (after a gross, gray, rainy day Saturday) we were itching for some outdoor fun. So we ditched the dreaded laundry and headed to the coast.

I love where we live. We can hop in the vehicle and be breathing salt air in 45 minutes (40 if you ask my husband). So a quick car trip (just enough time for a much needed nap for the kiddos) and we were there. We watched the boats from the deck while we waited for our table at the restaurant. It was breezy, but so beautiful. Just being near the water makes me happy.

Out the window

We ate lunch (which I didn’t take pictures of because it was really dark in the restaurant). We wanted to eat outside but the kids were famished and the first-come-first-served diners outside were enjoying the day too and no one seemed in any hurry to get up. A nice man at the table next to ours came over and asked if he could take our picture. This was really nice, because I never ask anyone to take our picture although I always want more family pictures of us! He was a sweet man who had 20+ grandchildren! Maybe seeing our two crazies make him miss his 🙂

After lunch we headed to the beach! We let the kids run around and step in the water. Eventually Adeline soaked her dress in the waves and we had to run to the store to buy her a shirt. I had only packed her a change of pants (the joys of potty training).

How tall is he? Ugh, time flies.

I mean she can’t like her cheek to be pinched like that. Brothers!

Making sure he isn’t too far away

Then we headed to the pier to watch the fishermen. No one seemed to be catching any fish except for this guy. He was a pro. He would dive down and catch a fish every time! We watched him catch at least 5.

Stalking his prey

Harper wanted a turn with the camera.

Love them.

After a great day we headed home and I was lucky enough to get another nap out of these two on the drive. Here’s to awesome unplanned fun family days. Now back to reality and laundry.

Pimento Cheese Recipe

January 31, 2014

For my first recipe in the “Hand Project” I thought I would go with something simple but delicious. The purpose of this project is to take the recipes given to me by my Grandmother (via my Aunt Beverly. Hi Aunt Bev-Love you!) and re-create each one and share them here.

That’s my Grandmother in the middle.

My plan is to stick to the recipe as close as possible, but I may change them here and there to either make them a teenie bit healthier (only if I can keep the integrity of the recipe intact) or make them fit into our lifestyle. I will also make sure to include any changes I mak to the original recipe, via notation. Okay, enough housekeeping back to the cheese baby.

This is one of those recipes that really gets my memories going. My Grandmother used to make the BEST pimento cheese. We would sit at the table and spread it on crackers while sipping glass-bottled Coke (with peanuts of course). There are a few recipes that just scream “Hand Family”. When I think of us, this is definitely one of them. I didn’t actually have the written recipe on this one so I am going by memory.

I have tried tweaks here and there over the years. I will admit that I have used pre-shredded cheese several times. It tastes okay but the consistency just doesn’t work. I think the anti-clumping additive that is in the pre-shredded kind keeps the mayonnaise from sticking the correct way. I also like the way that when you shred your own cheese the actual shred is thinner. So, when you stir it all together some of the pieces break up and mush (technical term) with one another to create a really good spread. As opposed to the pre-shredded kind, where if you like to put the finished product on say Wheat Thins (that is my favorite way to eat it), the shreds of cheese hang off the sides of the cracker and fall off when you take a bite. No bueno. Don’t get me wrong, if I’m short on time (or motivation) I will definitely skip shredding on my own, but it really makes a big difference. Break out the shredder. Do it.

I also tried adding cream cheese once. Meh. It just adds bulk without flavor. It is good if you are looking for more of a spreadable, cheese-ball-type consistency, but I don’t like to take away from the sharp flavor of the cheese and I tend to like mine a little more mayo-y.

The addition that I have made recently that I will definitely be keeping is Wickles Pickles. So here is the thing with these pickles. They are so great. They are similar to a bread and butter pickle but the are spicy! The heat is just enough to add great flavor without being painful. My husband and I are fans of their sandwich relish too, but the pickles are perfect for this and really put it over the top. I used to spread my pimento cheese on a cracker and just put a pickle on top like a little hat and it was great. But then I got hungry and the hungrier I get the lazier I am. So I decided to cut the Wickles up and incorporate them into the pimento cheese. Mind blown. So good. I’m not sure my Grandmother would like the addition as she wasn’t a real fan of super-spicy. If you aren’t a fan either, I would suggest trying just plain bread and butter pickles, but make the hats first to see if you like it, then stir it in if you do!

Wickle Hat

Incorporated into the mix

**Now the servings depend on what you want to do with this. We normally just make ours to put in a container and use over the course of a few days on crackers, dipped with raw veggies, etc. If you want to make grilled cheese sandwiches out of them (I would definitely recommend that-not even joking, so good) the servings will change a bit. Obv.

Pimento Cheese Recipe

Total Time: 20 minutes

Number of servings: 4

Per Serving 364 calories

Fat 34 g

Carbs 1 g

Protein 14 g

Ingredients

1 8 oz block of Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1/3 cup Mayonnaise

I use full-fat for this but you can use light

1/4 tsp Paprika
1 4oz jar diced pimientos
1/4 cup Wickles Pickles
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

I use my handy box grater and shred the block of cheese over a plate. I’m weird and like it when the cheese comes all the way to the top of the inside of the grater and then falls everywhere when I take it off. Mature, I know. My kids like it because the cheese that falls off the plate is fair game.
Next I put the cheese in a mixing bowl. I don’t shred over the bowl because my knuckles always hit the sides and it is annoying. Once the cheese is in the bowl I add the pimientos. I usually drain half the liquid from the jar before adding. Mix that up and then add in the mayonnaise. At this point it is about stirring and sprinkling. I then add the paprika (not sure if this was in the original recipe, I think it is an addition but it works.), salt and pepper and mix everything until combined.
You can serve immediately but I recommend refrigerating for at least an hour so the pimento flavor is there. I store mine in an airtight container for up to a week and just use (remember the Wheat Thins?) as needed.

Enjoy.

Happy Adeline Day

January 28, 2014

Yesterday, my sweet firecracker we celebrated your third year in this world. You amaze us every day. I love your fire and determination and I don’t think you are scared of anything.

Here are some things you really like now:

-“Logurt”

-Gummy anything (but especially worms)

-Dresses (especially ones with tulle)

-Princesses and Ballerina’s

-Any form of pasta you can get your hands on.

-Wearing nightgowns every night. You especially love the “Ariel” one and you always ask me, “Mommy Ariel is clean right?” so you can wear it.

-Saying “This is my jam” (so funny)

-Listening to me read books to you. You love books.

-Playing with your brother (until he takes something of yours and then you scream)

-You pride yourself on not being scared. If I ask you, “Adeline are you afraid of that”?” you say “No Mommy, I am brave”. You truly are.

-Believing that you can do ANYTHING anyone else can do. I love your competitive spirit and fearlessness when it comes to trying new things.

Here are some things you are NOT a fan of these days:

-Being told “No”. For any reason, at any time.

-Transitioning into new activities before you are ready. Goes with the determination. You do not like to do anything if it isn’t on your terms.

-Maybe TMI but poopy on the potty. You will not do it. I’m hoping this will change soon.

-Pants aka anything that is not a dress (see above.)

-Me holding your hand when I pick you up from school. You want to walk BY YOURSELF.

You have made our family complete and each day I think how very thankful I am that you are here. We love you Addie-Boo.