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!

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.



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.

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 ...



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.!

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 ...



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.