29 September 2010

What's on your plate? ~child snacks edition~

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As we get busier in our lives with all of our
kids' school, homework, sports, activities, play dates, etc it's easy to grab and go
when it comes to putting snacks together.
I know I have been guilty of this a few times. shhh ...

So as a frustrated momma of one I did a little web searching
for snack ideas.  I came across this site that has great ideas.
The bonus is they are easy enough for the kids to help out with. WOOT!
Check it out here.

One thing I spotted immediately was a top ten countdown of healthy snacks.
They are:

10) 100% juice popsicles (perfect during this little Fall heat wave)
9) Fruit sandwiches (intrigued .. keep typing) - slices of apples or pears with a filling of low fat cheese. SOLD!
8) Fresh fruit with a dab of peanut butter (does not apply to those with nut allergies)
7) Fresh fruit dipped in low fat yogurt (a fave of mine)
6) Smoothies made with fruit (mother-in-law makes some good ones)
5) Canned fruit or single serve fruit cups (check out the label. You wouldn't want to accidentally get the ones with syrup)
4) Fresh fruit dipped in applesauce
3) Dried fruits such as raisins, blueberries, apricots, apple slices (tip: this snack travels well)
2) Fresh fruit dipped in salad dressings (portion control with the dressing is important)
1) Frozen fruit chunks - any fruit (had this recently - party in my mouth)

I also saw this strawberry shortcake fruit pizza recipe.
Looks fun and another fantabulous idea.

Have fun!


27 September 2010

Another week down? Check!

Oh yes! I am a countdown{er} person.
ESPECIALLY when it comes to Christmas time. Weeeeee
Here we go ...
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Another week down. Another to-do list completed. Another week started.
All weeks are happy ones this time of year.
Well at least I hope they all will be.
-minus the 100 degree days that came creeping in HUMPF!-
I like Summer but geesh dang when the Fall cool down starts
I want it to stay around for awile.

We kind of have a busy week ahead of us but that's ok.
We love LOVE love what we do and how we do it. :o)

This weeks to-do list
1) clean house - a section at a time. (this will go on all week)
2) exercise (this will go on all week)
3) work (this will go on all week, if I'm lucky) HA!
4) 5th grade homework (this will go on all week)
5) dentist
6) daughter catcher lessons (two days)
7) softball practice (two other days)
8) evening meetings
9) softball double-header
10) sports fundraiser dinner
11) volunteer shift

Phew! Not to bad this week. Good thing I am organized!

I am really excited to start Christmas shopping but I think
I'll wait until after this softball season ends.

Yep! That's my plan ... for now.












23 September 2010

To be inspired ...

Inspiration.
a : a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and  sacred communicate revelation b : the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions c : the act of influencing or suggesting opinions

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It's true. Inspiration is everywhere.
Sometimes it just hits you out of nowhere. Kind of like the random
pillow upside my head from big brother when we were kids.

Sometimes you have to go out and look for it.

Sometimes it will come to you mid-conversation with your
family and friends. Seriously. Hubber says little things that inspire me.

Surround yourself with people and things that make you smile.
So important.

Step out and do something you never thought you would.

Believe in yourself. You are confident.

Smile at people looking at you instead of you looking at the ground.

Implement an idea. No matter how big or small. Just do it.

Take a walk on the wild side.

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The sky is the limit.

Come on. Let's do this.
Let's get inspired. Let's be inspiring.


22 September 2010

It's What's on your plate? Wednesday!


That's right, artichokes! Mmmm ... goodness I can't wait to eat one of these tonight
with yum yum steak Hubber is going to bbq.

How do you cook yours? I have heard of bbqing, boiling & steaming.
I found steaming to be the easiest for me.
I put a few inches of water in the pot, put the lid on and
let them steam for about 45 minutes.
(time varies with size)

What do you dip your chokes in?
I grew up dipping in mayo. Yep I did and I thought there was nothing better.
Then Hubber indroduced me to melted garlic butter 17 years ago
and I haven't looked back. True story. All 3 of us dip in melted garlic butter
and it is delicious!

Enjoy!

Until tomorrow ...




20 September 2010

Time to fire-up the DVR ...

Ohhh boy! It's that time of year again.
You know, the time when there are so many shows on
you aren't sure what to watch and what to record.
We are so busy we will be using any available DVR in our house
to be sure to capture all of the goodness that is coming up this
fall season.  WAHOOOZIE!

Here we go ...

Monday
The Event (9PM, NBC) new show ~ previews are intriguing.
Mike & Molly (9:30 CBS) new show ~ looks cute with a funny flare.
Castle (10:00 ABC) ~ WOOT! A fave!
Hawaii Five-O (10:00 CBS) new show ~ Hubber wants to check it out. Looks good.

Tuesday
The Biggest Loser (8:00 NBC) ~ Geesh! Inspiring!
GLEE (8:00 FOX) ~ Can't get enough - hello!
***There are some new shows on this night also.
Hmmm we will have to see if any make the DVR V.I.P. list. :o)

Wednesday
Survivor (7:00 CBS) ~ I am a faithful viewer.
Cougar Town (9:30 ABC) ~ ummm hilarious!
Modern Family (9:00 ABC) ~ same as above.
Top Chef DC Reunion Show (9:00 Bravo) ~ I am the only one in my house
who likes this one.  It's one I workout too.

Thursday
The Big Bang Theory (8:00 CBS) ~ Fantabulous!
Grey's Anatomy (9:00 ABC) ~ how many times will I cry this season?
Private Practice (10 ABC) ~ YAY!

Sunday
The Amazing Race (8:30 CBS) ~ THE best reality show ... in my opinion.
Desparate Housewives (9:00 ABC) ~ I love all of the characters ... true story.
Brothers and Sisters (10:00 ABC) ~ hmmm what's in store this season?
Undercover Boss (10:00 CBS) ~ LOVE this but sometimes wonder if the boss' are
really getting away with hiding their identity??

Let's not forget the football, college and the NFL
and the other reality shows that are coming up.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Yikes! I might be hooked.

Enjoy your t.v.!

17 September 2010

Fall Talk on Friday

It's Friday!
Can I get a WOOT! WOOT!

Let's talk Fall.  Afterall it IS one of my favorite seasons.
{I am a Summer gal too}

Right after Labor Day I put out my Fall and Halloween decor.
It's true. I love that I can have it out until the day after Thanksgiving.
I give huge Thanks for that.

A few of the things I love about Fall are:

*The decor ...
 Inside and outside

*The Sunflowers and Scarecrows ~ My faves.

*The pumpkin patches.

*Apple Hill - HELLO! Can't wait.

*Did I mention pumpkin seeds? YUM!

*The colors ...
so mello ... so relaxing

*The pumpkin spice ... Thank you Starbucks!

*The candle scents. Mmm I love LOVE love burning candles in the Fall.
{and Winter too}
I bust out the Scentsy in the Spring and Summer ~ don't judge.

*Being able to use the crock pot.

*Driving down tree lined streets with all of the fall colored leaves.

*The smell of rain. It's starting. This weekend!

*Trick-or-treating and all of the creative costumes.

*Thanksgiving.

... just to name a few. :o)

What do you like about Fall?

Until next week ...





16 September 2010

What's on your plate? {a day late}

Now that Fall is in the air I thought this
would be a good time to share one of my all time
favorite cold weather meals.

MMM ... Pot Roast!
Um, my mouth is watering as I type so this
needs to be short & sweet.

Here you go ... Enjoy!

Original Recipe Yield 8 servings
Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 pounds boneless chuck roast
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
& as many veggies as you can stand!

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).



2. Heat a heavy Dutch oven on top of the stove over medium high heat. Add oil, and sear meat in the center of the pan for 4 minutes. Turn meat over with tongs; sear all sides for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Remove meat from pan. Arrange onion, garlic, and 1 bay leaf in the bottom of the pan, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Return meat to pan, place remaining bay leaf on top of meat, and cover.



3. Cook in the oven for 30 minutes at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Reduce the heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C), and cook for 1 1/2 hours. Remove roast to a platter to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Slice, and top with onions and gravy.
 
So easy I can even do it!
 
Visit this site for more great recipes.

14 September 2010

That's a wrap! {phew}

That's it folks. 
I went out on that limb that, at one time I thought was going to
snap, and I did it. I strutted my stuff in front of hundreds & hundreds
of people in an attempt to be Mrs. CA International.

Well I didn't win or place in the royal court BUT I did succeed.
I did something I thought I would never in a million years do.
I learned so much about myself and
you know what? I am so proud of me. pat ... pat

I had an absolute blast and I met some amazing people that I know
I will stay in touch with.  I also discovered that the perception
I had about pageants, and the people, was way off base.
As a matter a fact I want to get involved in the
behind the scenes stuff ... like ASAP.
Will I ever compete again? Hmmm maybe.  If I do I will
spend a lot more time prepping for the big day, that's for sure.

In the end I learned that I could do an amazing job
applying my own make-up and doing my own hair (who cares
it took 2 hours to get ready each day); master false eyelash application;
strut on a runway, which looked small when I first saw it (tiny actually);
change outfits backstage in record speed;
last all day {and night} in heels - literally;
learn a dance routine to Glam by Christina Aguilera-true story;
perform that dance routine in front of hundreds & hundreds;
meet fantabulous, empowering ladies;
have a phenomenal time doing something that I thought I would never do.
Ahhh... I feel great. Confident. Loved.

Speaking of loved ...
I love this man with all of my heart.
I am so glad Hubber was there to share this experience with me.
From helping me get ready in the mornings, to running out for a
pair of shoes, to having lunch in the room for me when I returned for break, 
to texting me how I did immediately, to tucking me in each night.

He is more than I could have ever expected. He is my best friend.

Tip: try stepping out of your box no matter what you think people
might think or say.  I did and I am so thrilled that I did.

Until tomorrow ...
  

07 September 2010

Busy week ahead ...

Wooo eeeee this is a very busy week.
Off of the heels of a busy busy weekend comes final pageant prep.
We leave for Los Angeles on Thursday morning. Early morning.
We are talking before any stores open so I have to have
everything done by Wednesday evening.

I am in a good spot. I have almost everything. Just need
to run a few errands tomorrow and do some final touch-ups
and then we are off.

My formal is still at the seamstress.  It's done, I just need a spare
minute to go get it.

Mani ... Pedi ... VersaSpa ...
Yep, I'm getting there.

All of the excitement means I am off until Monday-ish.

Have a great one!  Until Next week ...

03 September 2010

It's not just any Friday ...

... it's the start to a lovely 3 day weekend Friday.
Can I get a WOOT! WOOT!

I have been a hard working lady recently so I am stoked
{yes I still use that word} that it is Friday.

We have a busy, jam packed weekend full of softball.
Lots of sun. Lots of fun.
It's going to be good times.

I truly heart
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all of the things funtabulous weekends bring.

Happy Labor Day!



02 September 2010

Oh my! It's September!

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Oh boy the time sure is flying by.  Wouldn't you agree?
September marks many things ... Let's see ...

~ Daughter's winter ball (should be called fall ball) softball is in full force
this weekend. We kick it off with a 3 day tourny ~ GO REBELS! Happy Labor Day!

~ Speaking of Labor Day - September 6th is also the day, 13 years ago,
Hubber and I got married. It was a beautiful day on the yacht in San Francisco Bay.
I love you Hubber! With all of my heart.

~ Hello NFL (go 49ers! go Giants*! *for Hubber) & college football. Woot!
Hook'em Horns! also for Hubber

~ Just 8 days until I compete in the Mrs. California Intl. pageant.
*A first for me so I am excited* So many great ladies and
such a great message - get out in your community.

~ September 25th my dear friend, girl Jamie, is getting married to a superb man
named Billy. They are such an adorable couple.

~ I put my fall decor out this month. FANTABULOUS!

 ~ We are just about 2 months until Halloween - love LOVE love this fall holiday.


*FYI - On that same holiday day I am participating in my very first
5k Down and Dirty Mud Run. {check it out here} ... EXCITED!

~ Just about 3 months until Christmas - WAHOOZIE!
Which also means it's almost time to hit the slopes! Oh yes baby!
We all ski. All 3 of us.

Have a super day!  Until tomorrow ...




01 September 2010

What's on your plate? Snacks!

1snack
noun \ˈsnak\

Definition of SNACK
: a light meal : food eaten between regular meals; also : food suitable for snacking

Examples of SNACK
1. He had a snack of chips and dip.
2. I didn't have time for lunch so I just grabbed a quick snack.
3. peanuts, potato chips, and other snack foods

Origin of SNACK
Middle English snak bite, from snaken to bite, perhaps from Middle Dutch snacken to snap at — more at snatch

First Known Use: 1757
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Some days I am a total snacker and some days I am not.
It's weird to me how I can be starving one week
and not so much the very next week.

When I am in snack mode I keep it mostly healthy.
(1 serving of Triscuits; cherry tomatoes; bran muffin)
This is my snack today.  Although I am not very hungry so I will save
these little goodies for tomorrow.

As a matter of fact we don't have very much junk in our house.
Daughter still has over more than half of her Halloween loot left
from last year.  We don't tell her she can't have it, she just rarely
eats it.  We are very lucky. Yes, I am aware I have said this before
and most likely I'll say it again. ;O)

When I pack her lunch snacks I do exact servings as noted on the packages.
It helps and she has started to read labels too. Even when we are shopping.
Flashback: I remember when she first starting reading labels.
Thanks to her Grandma Lynne
for teaching her about protein.  Kids need to know this stuff.
She used to say 'gallons' when she saw
the 'g' next to protein. "Mom! This has 3 gallons of protein!"
Ahh sooo cute.

Snack healthy.  Until tomorrow ...