I want to post but life us too busy these last few days and the rest of the week to spend much thought on it. I want to recommend a link each week anyway, so today is a good day for that.
Today I am hanging with my little sis, here from out of state. We have spent a beautiful day: playing in the fountain with my baby and drinking iced coffee, relaxing with the kids, swimming at the neighbor's garden pool. One day you will see pictures of the neighbor's garden pool. It is a paradise itself, especially for one who loves water and flowers and country air.
Today I read one of the most beautiful posts I have ever read. I think you'd all love it. And maybe you will want to add Suzanne, "The Farmer's Wife" to your blog roll.
Have a lovely day. It won't have as much beauty as mine does today though. I love my sister.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
The Air That You Breathe
I was asked to review another product this week. With all of the giveaways I am doing, giving away tons of expensive products I have been freely sent for advertising, I am not sure I have time.
Okay, you caught me. I just wanted to sound like a high falutin' blog with lots and lots of readers. Which I will never have, mostly because of this post. Hey, I don't pick the products, they just come my way.
Here it the new product.
Oh yes they did. For real.
In order to review this product though, I'd have to try it. And I ain't gonna unless they send it to me F-R-E-E (that spells FREE). I don't ever have gas anyway.
You know how to search on YouTube for their ad if you so desire. It is their real ad but is every bit as silly as you'd imagine. Initially I included it, but, well, I felt sorta weird about it. It's not very sophisticated. And you know me. (oh hush!)
If only...
When hubby and I were first married, we laid awake many a night in fits of laughter making up new products. And one of them was for this exact purpose. I was 20 okay?
Sigh. We couldda been rich, rich, rich.
How many times do you think I edited this post trying to let it be as silly as it is by itself without going overboard?
Okay, you caught me. I just wanted to sound like a high falutin' blog with lots and lots of readers. Which I will never have, mostly because of this post. Hey, I don't pick the products, they just come my way.
Here it the new product.
Oh yes they did. For real.
In order to review this product though, I'd have to try it. And I ain't gonna unless they send it to me F-R-E-E (that spells FREE). I don't ever have gas anyway.
You know how to search on YouTube for their ad if you so desire. It is their real ad but is every bit as silly as you'd imagine. Initially I included it, but, well, I felt sorta weird about it. It's not very sophisticated. And you know me. (oh hush!)
If only...
When hubby and I were first married, we laid awake many a night in fits of laughter making up new products. And one of them was for this exact purpose. I was 20 okay?
Sigh. We couldda been rich, rich, rich.
How many times do you think I edited this post trying to let it be as silly as it is by itself without going overboard?
Menu Plan Monday: Losing Weight With A Family To Feed
As per usual, if you don't want to read my verbosity (heehee, another new word alert!), skip down to the meal plan near bottom...and if you want to see more links for other menus, click here to go to Organizing Junkie's page.
(Sorry if your RSS post alert was sent multiple times. It froze on me and I resent several times.)
I lost weight on Weight Watchers before I had my last baby. I loved it and found it to be pretty easy. So, after this baby, I was determined to lose it all before he turned one. I went back on WW when he was three months old. They accommodate you with extra points so you don't put your milk supply in jeopardy. However, for some reason my milk supply began to dwindle and it made me readjust my thinking. I value nursing my baby high above being my "normal" weight. This is a long story, so I will just say, it took awhile to get back in the weight loss groove.
I tried a few other things (besides WW) to lose weight, but I found that, for me, nothing else was really practical because, well, life happens. I don't want to be at my son's graduation or celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary drinking a protein shake or eating a plain salad with grilled chicken on it. I finally came to my senses and figured out that if I want to be even close to my "normal" size before his second birthday, I better get back on WW.
So, for this edition of MPM, I am going to list a recipe I will be making for ME in addition to my family's plan. It is possible for your family to eat the same foods you do, but this is not what I have found works best for my family since I have to make so much food for so many mouths!
Also, please note, many of my recipes are not sugar free or whole grain, which is how I believe we were meant to eat. I have found that I maintain my weight well eating the "Nourishing Traditions way" or similar to the ideas listed on the Weston Price website, but have not been successful losing weight that way. I think because it is hard to lose weight when you eat fat, because you can only eat such a small amount. I will be exploring this further on my journey and hope to include more whole grains and sugar free foods eventually.
I am working on a new blog which will include my WW thoughts but it is going to take awhile for it to be ready. If you are interested in viewing it when it is ready, please comment or email me and I will notify you when it is ready.
Here is the WW recipe treat I will be eating this week:( I get 23 points per day)
I will divide this into 9 servings, each serving is 3 points (and well worth every single one!)
Warm Chocolate Pudding Cake
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup + 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon instant coffee powder(I use espresso powder)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup low fat 1% milk (I use the milk from our cow with the cream poured off)
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 and 2/3 cups boiling water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray 9 inch square pan with nonstick spray ( I use coconut oil on a paper towel)
Combine flour, granulated sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa, baking powder, espresso powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in center and pour in milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir until just blended then spoon batter evenly into pan.
Combine brown sugar and the additional 1/4 cup cocoa powder in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the batter. Gently pour the boiling water in a zigzag fashion over the top; do not stir. Bake until the top of the pudding is set, about 35 minutes. Cool on a rack at least 30 minutes. Cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.
FAMILY MEAL PLAN (I try to keep this simple when I am doing WW also)
Note: I always serve a starch, usually brown rice, bread or potatoes and a veggie or salad also.
Monday:Taco Salad (see recipe below)
Tuesday: Lemonade Chicken
Wednesday: Sausage Skillet Supper
Thursday: Seven Layer Tortilla Pie
Friday: Grilled Apple Chicken
Saturday: leftovers
Sunday:Burger Thing At Church
Taco Salad: Cook brown rice. Brown ground beef and add taco seasoning. In separate bowl mix Catalina Salad Dressing, sour cream and salsa to taste. Put rice , beef and dressing mixture in bowl together while still hot. Let sit while you cut up tomato, avocado, green onion, cilantro (or whatever you like to include). Add lettuce and spinach to rice mixture. Add 1 can kidney beans or black beans or 2 cups of your own from dried beans. Serve other veggies on side so they don't get soggy and gross and each person can add what they like. Serve with crushed tortilla chips, Fritos or Doritos
(Sorry if your RSS post alert was sent multiple times. It froze on me and I resent several times.)
I lost weight on Weight Watchers before I had my last baby. I loved it and found it to be pretty easy. So, after this baby, I was determined to lose it all before he turned one. I went back on WW when he was three months old. They accommodate you with extra points so you don't put your milk supply in jeopardy. However, for some reason my milk supply began to dwindle and it made me readjust my thinking. I value nursing my baby high above being my "normal" weight. This is a long story, so I will just say, it took awhile to get back in the weight loss groove.
I tried a few other things (besides WW) to lose weight, but I found that, for me, nothing else was really practical because, well, life happens. I don't want to be at my son's graduation or celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary drinking a protein shake or eating a plain salad with grilled chicken on it. I finally came to my senses and figured out that if I want to be even close to my "normal" size before his second birthday, I better get back on WW.
So, for this edition of MPM, I am going to list a recipe I will be making for ME in addition to my family's plan. It is possible for your family to eat the same foods you do, but this is not what I have found works best for my family since I have to make so much food for so many mouths!
Also, please note, many of my recipes are not sugar free or whole grain, which is how I believe we were meant to eat. I have found that I maintain my weight well eating the "Nourishing Traditions way" or similar to the ideas listed on the Weston Price website, but have not been successful losing weight that way. I think because it is hard to lose weight when you eat fat, because you can only eat such a small amount. I will be exploring this further on my journey and hope to include more whole grains and sugar free foods eventually.
I am working on a new blog which will include my WW thoughts but it is going to take awhile for it to be ready. If you are interested in viewing it when it is ready, please comment or email me and I will notify you when it is ready.
Here is the WW recipe treat I will be eating this week:( I get 23 points per day)
I will divide this into 9 servings, each serving is 3 points (and well worth every single one!)
Warm Chocolate Pudding Cake
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup + 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon instant coffee powder(I use espresso powder)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup low fat 1% milk (I use the milk from our cow with the cream poured off)
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 and 2/3 cups boiling water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray 9 inch square pan with nonstick spray ( I use coconut oil on a paper towel)
Combine flour, granulated sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa, baking powder, espresso powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in center and pour in milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir until just blended then spoon batter evenly into pan.
Combine brown sugar and the additional 1/4 cup cocoa powder in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the batter. Gently pour the boiling water in a zigzag fashion over the top; do not stir. Bake until the top of the pudding is set, about 35 minutes. Cool on a rack at least 30 minutes. Cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.
FAMILY MEAL PLAN (I try to keep this simple when I am doing WW also)
Note: I always serve a starch, usually brown rice, bread or potatoes and a veggie or salad also.
Monday:Taco Salad (see recipe below)
Tuesday: Lemonade Chicken
Wednesday: Sausage Skillet Supper
Thursday: Seven Layer Tortilla Pie
Friday: Grilled Apple Chicken
Saturday: leftovers
Sunday:Burger Thing At Church
Taco Salad: Cook brown rice. Brown ground beef and add taco seasoning. In separate bowl mix Catalina Salad Dressing, sour cream and salsa to taste. Put rice , beef and dressing mixture in bowl together while still hot. Let sit while you cut up tomato, avocado, green onion, cilantro (or whatever you like to include). Add lettuce and spinach to rice mixture. Add 1 can kidney beans or black beans or 2 cups of your own from dried beans. Serve other veggies on side so they don't get soggy and gross and each person can add what they like. Serve with crushed tortilla chips, Fritos or Doritos
Friday, July 4, 2008
Better Than Fireworks!!!
Precious beyond words
Our dear friends, David and Julie, were finally able to bring their precious daughters home from Haiti, just last night!!! Two years of prayers, hopes, tears and dreams have finally paid off!
Sisters Forever, meeting for the first time...
Mom and Quetelene (below)
David and Julie will do great and will embrace all of the love, blessings and any challenges their newly formed family will bring.
They were able to see their biological baby brother Ben at the airport too (adopted by our friends Sean and Jamie a couple months ago).
Amy was every bit the warm, loving and welcoming big sister we knew she'd be. She is going to be a blessing to her "little" sisters, even though Yolanta is already bigger than she is and Quetelene isn't far behind. Amy we are so proud of you!
Congratulations to the Family Of Five!!!!
Adoption is a beautiful and miraculous thing...
See more pictures from last night at Sarah's blog.
Follow this family at Julie's Absolutely Fabulous blog.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Wordless Wednesday: 10 Years Ago
Since this year is the tenth anniversary of when we lost our fourth baby boy, I thought I'd post this photo. Some of you may think this is sad. I think it is precious. Not exactly wordless, they never really are. But it does speak for itself...
July 4, 1998 Paul Christian, "Little Christian", was born. He was only the size of a Kleenex box but was perfectly formed. We pray God will continue to use his short life, and it's impact on us, to touch other broken hearts.
I have had ten years to work through this, the Hardest Thing in my life, and now mostly view the day as a precious time to remember but don't feel so sad. Some of you are newer in your grief. If you have recently suffered a loss, or are anticipating one, I pray you will be blessed with the abiding peace and profound grace that only God can give. Sometimes holidays, when everyone else is celebrating, are particularly painful. I'd love to lend an ear (via the written word) and to pray for you. Leave a comment or email me.
More Wordless Wednesday links are at 5 Minutes for Mom.
July 4, 1998 Paul Christian, "Little Christian", was born. He was only the size of a Kleenex box but was perfectly formed. We pray God will continue to use his short life, and it's impact on us, to touch other broken hearts.I have had ten years to work through this, the Hardest Thing in my life, and now mostly view the day as a precious time to remember but don't feel so sad. Some of you are newer in your grief. If you have recently suffered a loss, or are anticipating one, I pray you will be blessed with the abiding peace and profound grace that only God can give. Sometimes holidays, when everyone else is celebrating, are particularly painful. I'd love to lend an ear (via the written word) and to pray for you. Leave a comment or email me.
More Wordless Wednesday links are at 5 Minutes for Mom.
I Am Yours
Wow. I love the part where He catches me when I'm falling.
And just that one word:
YOURS
I belong to Him.
Security. Peace. Acceptance.
They envelop me just contemplating it.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Sausage Skillet Supper
Works for Me Wednesday is hosted by Shannon. This week she is asking for 5 ingredient or less recipes. So I decided to share one of our family faves. (Adapted from Taste of Home) Now I can send all of my friends who ask to the same place to copy it down. Make sure you check Shannon's blog for more 5 ingredient recipes and ideas.
Brown 1 pound sausage in skillet. Drain.
Throw in:
2 cups cooked brown rice (you can sub 1 cup long grain white rice and 1 cups water),
1-14.5 ounce can tomatoes,
1 cup salsa or picante sauce,
16 ounces cooked kidney beans
Cook until heated through (if you used uncooked white rice, bring to boil and cook until rice is soft)
You can also top with cheese if you'd like. Simple. Yummy. Quick. Works For Me. Us.
Brown 1 pound sausage in skillet. Drain.
Throw in:
2 cups cooked brown rice (you can sub 1 cup long grain white rice and 1 cups water),
1-14.5 ounce can tomatoes,
1 cup salsa or picante sauce,
16 ounces cooked kidney beans
Cook until heated through (if you used uncooked white rice, bring to boil and cook until rice is soft)
You can also top with cheese if you'd like. Simple. Yummy. Quick. Works For Me. Us.
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