Okay, I am on this eating healthy kick. I am into my new cookbook Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. The concept is that you "sneak" in veggies into things already like to eat. And I really need that for Lily. She will not eat anything in a raw state.
But the chickpeas in the chocolate chip cookies have been the brunt of many jokes in our house. And by the way, they were actually really yummy!! I'll add the recipe for those of you brave enough to give them a try. When I make them again, I will not add the beans. But for a light and "healthy-er" cookie, they are great.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Nonstick cooking spray
1 Cup brown sugar
3/4 cup butter (or margarine)
2 large egg whites
2 tsp. vanilla
1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 cups (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1. Preheat oven to 350. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the sugar and margarine with a wooden spoon or on medium speed until smooth. Beat the egg whites and vanilla, then the chickpeas and chocolate chips. Add the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt, and mix on low speed until a thick dough forms.
3. Drop by the tablespoonful onto baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and just set, 11 to 13 minutes; do not overbake.
If you try this, you have to let me know!
I think as a mom you have this instict to protect your kids. I never gave nutrition much thought....until kids. What was on T.V...until kids. That the word "modest" is used almost everyday in my house.
So, call me (and my bean cookies) crazy, but if it's for the overall better health of my kids, I am willing to go the extra mile. And being at home I have the luxury of feeding them what I want them to eat. I love that I get to choose what goes in their little bodies. Don't get me wrong....we have treats too! Mostly when we have played hard outside. Bottom line, I love being a mom and learning new things everyday!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
What we have been up too
Laci had her very first ice cream cone on Saturday. It was so funny watching her lick and ice cream running off her chin. She would take a bite and say, "Hummmmmm!!!" She ate every last bite. Although, I have to say I had an "Ahha!" moment while making the ice creams. I had to sit them back in the freezer to make the next one and so I grabbed some little bathroom cups to put them in. I left them in the cups so they would stand up on the tray as I brought them out to the back yard. Little did I know they would make great catches for all the runs and drips!!
My girl with the sweet tooth but want touch a raw fruit or veggie had to have chocolate chip mint. Laci and I had strawberry. (Little does she know I just ordered a cookbook that hides all the fruits and veggies into stuff she already eats!*wink*)
Lily also had her dance recital a few weeks ago. It was a great show! She did SO good!!!
And we had Laci dedicated at Church on Mother's Day. We had about 5 children dedicated that Sunday. It was so special.
And of course we have been playing at some parks. This was taken when we had our play date after school with Abby, Jeb, and Caleb. We had a picnic and rode bikes. It was a fun afternoon and made for some tired girls who took very good naps that day!!! I can't wait to kick off this summer. My prayer is for us all to stay safe and enjoy all the sweet sticky summer foods, sun, and even the pesky bugs....but above all I pray that we all remember to start and end our day with the Lord and his word.
"Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you."
Nehemiah 9:5&6
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Why I want to Homeschool
I have not been met with any oposition from anyone yet...but I know once they SHOULD be in public schools I will be met with more questions from my family. I know seveal homeschooled kids, as well as some of my family. And being around them I have found that they are very very bright. And they have a different focus than kids in public school. They seem to all be of a servants heart. (Not that kids in public schools can't be raised to be the same way.) I want my girls to be in the kitchen, garden, chicken coop (yet to come), and doing chores with me and each other daily. I don't want them to be gone from our house for 7 or 8 hours a day; then sitting at the table crying over how much homework they have. So, then I get the worst part of their day!
I also have a personal reason for wanting to school them myself. I had a very hard time in school all because I had a MEAN and HATEFUL 1st grade teacher. She LOVED when I failed and would make a big deal out of my grades. I had a hard time with math in 1st grade, and my teacher made that worse. She taught me to count on my fingers so that I could keep up. I want my girl's to have a teacher who loves them and wants them to succsed in math and every other subject. I want them to have a teacher that would drive them to where-ever to learn about a subject. And I want to be there when they "get it"!
Here is some other thoughts....this was based off my daily devotion I get everyday, but most of this is the very reason I have decided this is what will be best for our family.
* I want to homeschool my girls because fixed hours aren't required to learn a subject.
* I want to homeschool because there are so many fun things to learn. Not only are there great curriculums for covering the main subject areas, but there are also countless extracurricular topics and activities to explore.
* I want to homeschool because I have the flexibility to adjust our day depending on what God brings. If my child is grasping concepts quickly and wants to know more in language arts, great; I'll keep going and forget about doing history that day. If Dad has an impromptu meeting in another city, I can take advantage of the opportunity and schedule a family field trip.
* I want to homeschool because it gives me an opportunity to really know my children. As teacher and parent, I see both their heart and mind and have the blessed privilege to develop both in the Lord.
* I want to homeschool because I don't have to wait until school's out at 3:30 p.m. to receive a hug and a kiss. I have the joy of loving and being loved by my children throughout the entire day.
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16).
Lord, thank You for giving me the opportunity to teach my children. Even though tough days will come, I know Your presence will guide us through. Help me appreciate the blessing of teaching my children each day. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
I also have a personal reason for wanting to school them myself. I had a very hard time in school all because I had a MEAN and HATEFUL 1st grade teacher. She LOVED when I failed and would make a big deal out of my grades. I had a hard time with math in 1st grade, and my teacher made that worse. She taught me to count on my fingers so that I could keep up. I want my girl's to have a teacher who loves them and wants them to succsed in math and every other subject. I want them to have a teacher that would drive them to where-ever to learn about a subject. And I want to be there when they "get it"!
Here is some other thoughts....this was based off my daily devotion I get everyday, but most of this is the very reason I have decided this is what will be best for our family.
* I want to homeschool my girls because fixed hours aren't required to learn a subject.
* I want to homeschool because there are so many fun things to learn. Not only are there great curriculums for covering the main subject areas, but there are also countless extracurricular topics and activities to explore.
* I want to homeschool because I have the flexibility to adjust our day depending on what God brings. If my child is grasping concepts quickly and wants to know more in language arts, great; I'll keep going and forget about doing history that day. If Dad has an impromptu meeting in another city, I can take advantage of the opportunity and schedule a family field trip.
* I want to homeschool because it gives me an opportunity to really know my children. As teacher and parent, I see both their heart and mind and have the blessed privilege to develop both in the Lord.
* I want to homeschool because I don't have to wait until school's out at 3:30 p.m. to receive a hug and a kiss. I have the joy of loving and being loved by my children throughout the entire day.
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16).
Lord, thank You for giving me the opportunity to teach my children. Even though tough days will come, I know Your presence will guide us through. Help me appreciate the blessing of teaching my children each day. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Jill's great gifts
My best buddy, Jill, has been such a blessing in my life. We talk everyday and I don't know what I would do without our conversations each day!! She is just a beautiful person. Well, Jill not only has a gift of making friends feel special she is a creative genius!! And I am lucky enough to get some of her special gifts. Here are two of her digi shirts she designed:
Thank you for inspiring me, and for being a true friend! I love ya!!!!
Friday, January 2, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Wow, it is 2009!!! And what a way to ring in the new year! We had SO many giggles yesterday. It is tradition at my house to have collard greens, black eyed peas, cornbread, and tenderloin EVERY YEAR!!! But yesterday my brother, dad and Jeremy were busy... so it turned out to be my mom, Lily, Laci, and myself. We had heart-to-heart talks, played on Facebook, and laughed so much. It was so much fun!!! Thanks mom for being so fun and easy to talk to! I love you more than you know!!!
So, for 2009 I am thinking in ways of SAVING money. I have always been pretty frugal but I am going to try to pray for ways I can save even more in 2009. And one way I have been saving money is by making my own Homemade Washing powders. They work great and last me several months. Here is the recipe:
Homemade Washing Powders:
1/3 bar soap (any soap you use to bath)
1/2 cup washing soda (we found this at Ingles)
1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax (you can find this at Wal-Mart)
Grate the soap & put in a sauce pan. Add 6 cups of water and heat it until the soap melts. Add the washing soda and Borax & stir until dissolved. Remove from the heat. Pour 4 cups hot water into the bucket. Now add your soap mixture and stir. Now add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir.
Let soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel.
You use 1/2 cup per load.
Enjoy and save!
So, for 2009 I am thinking in ways of SAVING money. I have always been pretty frugal but I am going to try to pray for ways I can save even more in 2009. And one way I have been saving money is by making my own Homemade Washing powders. They work great and last me several months. Here is the recipe:
Homemade Washing Powders:
1/3 bar soap (any soap you use to bath)
1/2 cup washing soda (we found this at Ingles)
1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax (you can find this at Wal-Mart)
Grate the soap & put in a sauce pan. Add 6 cups of water and heat it until the soap melts. Add the washing soda and Borax & stir until dissolved. Remove from the heat. Pour 4 cups hot water into the bucket. Now add your soap mixture and stir. Now add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir.
Let soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel.
You use 1/2 cup per load.
Enjoy and save!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Good Food!
I hope everyone had a great Christmas. As usual we all got WAY too much!! It was great time with family and friends. But being home and hubby being home I have been doing a good bit of cooking. Here are two new recipes I have tried out on my family this week and they have been HITS!!!! Thought I would share:
Creamy Chicken Noodle Bake
4 cups uncooked egg noodles
1/2 cup butter, divided
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp white pepper
3-1/2 cups milk
4 cups cubed cooked chicken
2 jars (12oz each) chicken gravy
1 jar (2oz) diced pimientos, drained
1/2 cup cubed process cheese (Velveeta)
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
4 tsp. butter, melted
Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, melt 6 Tbsp. butter. Stir in the flour, salt, and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Stir in the chicken, gravy and pimientos. (I left out the pimientos)
Drain noodles; toss with remaining butter. Stir into chicken mixture. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly.
Combine the cheese, bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle around edges of casserole. Bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Very Veggie Soup
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1-1/3 cups chopped fresh mushrooms
1 small onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. canola oil
1 carton (32 oz.) reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cans (14-1/2 oz each) diced tomatoes with basil, oregano and garlic, undrained
1 pkg. (16 oz) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
2 medium carrots, shredded
1 cup meatless spaghetti sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp adobo seasoning
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry Parmesan curls
In a Dutch oven, saute the zucchini, mushrooms, onion, and garlic in oil until tender. Add the broth, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, spaghetti sauce and seasonings.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in spinach; heat through. Garnish each serving with cheese.
This soup had so many good things in it and my 3 year old daughter LOVED it!!!
Creamy Chicken Noodle Bake
4 cups uncooked egg noodles
1/2 cup butter, divided
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp white pepper
3-1/2 cups milk
4 cups cubed cooked chicken
2 jars (12oz each) chicken gravy
1 jar (2oz) diced pimientos, drained
1/2 cup cubed process cheese (Velveeta)
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
4 tsp. butter, melted
Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, melt 6 Tbsp. butter. Stir in the flour, salt, and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Stir in the chicken, gravy and pimientos. (I left out the pimientos)
Drain noodles; toss with remaining butter. Stir into chicken mixture. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly.
Combine the cheese, bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle around edges of casserole. Bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Very Veggie Soup
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1-1/3 cups chopped fresh mushrooms
1 small onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. canola oil
1 carton (32 oz.) reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cans (14-1/2 oz each) diced tomatoes with basil, oregano and garlic, undrained
1 pkg. (16 oz) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
2 medium carrots, shredded
1 cup meatless spaghetti sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp adobo seasoning
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry Parmesan curls
In a Dutch oven, saute the zucchini, mushrooms, onion, and garlic in oil until tender. Add the broth, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, spaghetti sauce and seasonings.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in spinach; heat through. Garnish each serving with cheese.
This soup had so many good things in it and my 3 year old daughter LOVED it!!!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Advent Calender
It is almost here. CHRISTMAS!! I LOVE this time of year. I love wearing sweaters and scarfs and gloves. I love turning the heat on in my car until we sweat!! I love taking my travel coffee mug everywhere I go. I love the music of Christmas, and of course the shopping. But above all that I love that it is a time to sit back and reflect on the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You can put yourself in Mary shoes, if your a mother, and think about having your new sweet baby in a dirty stable with no one there to help deliver it. I know as a new mom with Lily I was always worried if is was too hot or too cold. It must have been so scary for Mary. But it was all God's plan.
So, on the note about Christmas. We are doing an Advent Calender. Everyday Lily takes a new paper off the calender to help us count down to Christmas. And on the back of the paper is a "treat" for her. Each day has something new to do. Sometimes it's for her...like a piece of candy. Or sometime it is something for someone else, like take a gift to a neighbor. Thanks to Jill for her idea's and some I came up with on my own I put this simple calender together. If you have little ones, this is a way for Christmas not to be all about "me" but to show them how to be humble, unselfish, and giving.
Yesterday we created bow holders for some of our little cousins. Not a good project for little ones because of the hot glue. I thought she might help but the glue was just too hot. She watched me get burnt for awhile then got bored. But it is the thought that counts. She new I was doing it for someone other than us.
May you turn your hearts to others this Christmas season and do something nice for someone other than your family. And don't forget to wish everyone you talk to while shopping a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
So, on the note about Christmas. We are doing an Advent Calender. Everyday Lily takes a new paper off the calender to help us count down to Christmas. And on the back of the paper is a "treat" for her. Each day has something new to do. Sometimes it's for her...like a piece of candy. Or sometime it is something for someone else, like take a gift to a neighbor. Thanks to Jill for her idea's and some I came up with on my own I put this simple calender together. If you have little ones, this is a way for Christmas not to be all about "me" but to show them how to be humble, unselfish, and giving.
Yesterday we created bow holders for some of our little cousins. Not a good project for little ones because of the hot glue. I thought she might help but the glue was just too hot. She watched me get burnt for awhile then got bored. But it is the thought that counts. She new I was doing it for someone other than us.
May you turn your hearts to others this Christmas season and do something nice for someone other than your family. And don't forget to wish everyone you talk to while shopping a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
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