Hello, I had a bit of technical difficulties with my computer yesterday so I have bumped this weeks schedule back one day. Hopefully things go smoother today! :)
This weeks date idea is one of my favorite things to do at Christmas. Decorate! :) Not only will these decorations be beautiful, but edible too! I am talking about Gingerbread ornaments and houses! We have 2 children and a lot of my 'pretty' ornaments were being destroyed or were tried to be eaten so I decided to help the situation out. This way, if Joshua gets a mouthful of gingerbread it will not be harmful.
Below is my recipe for gingerbread from a cooks.com link. This can be cut into wall/roof shapes for a house or ornaments if using a cookie cutter. Enjoy!
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1710,153182-254194,00.html
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Project Mom Week 3: Motto
Happy LATE Friday! :)
The past 2 weeks we have discussed what we like and don't like and how to adjust our attitude. This week, to tie it all together, I would like for each of you to come up with your own Mommy Motto. Pleas note that my motto is not always the same. Depending on what is going on with my life it is okay to change it. Sometimes I think that mottos are set in stone, but life changes and so must we!
Last week at the end of my post was a saying: Come what may and love it! This is my current motto. Right now there are a lot of changes happening in my life and I have really had to take this motto to heart. I often feel like I have things figured out and then everything changes. While this definitely keeps life interesting it causes me a lot of stress. In Josephy B. Wirthlin's last conference address he talked about how we have to make the best of life. He said that his mother told him, "Come what may and love it." I whole-heartedly believe this statement! That is why I have made it my personal mommy motto.
This week, as you create your own motto, keep in mind that it has to be something YOU believe in and are willing to live up to. It is too easy to just write something down on paper and never look at it again. I have this saying posted everywhere, I even made a magnet of it. I am constantly telling myself this and would not be surprised if it the first thing my almost one year old son says. :) I believe it, I feel it, but most importantly I live it!
The assignment for this week is to write your own mommy motto. It can be one word or it can be many. Just make sure you pick something you are convicted to.
If you are still in on this project and would like to receive the prize please leave a comment about your findings last week as well as your thoughts about your motto. Feel free to share your motto if you so wish!
Have a GREAT week!
The past 2 weeks we have discussed what we like and don't like and how to adjust our attitude. This week, to tie it all together, I would like for each of you to come up with your own Mommy Motto. Pleas note that my motto is not always the same. Depending on what is going on with my life it is okay to change it. Sometimes I think that mottos are set in stone, but life changes and so must we!
Last week at the end of my post was a saying: Come what may and love it! This is my current motto. Right now there are a lot of changes happening in my life and I have really had to take this motto to heart. I often feel like I have things figured out and then everything changes. While this definitely keeps life interesting it causes me a lot of stress. In Josephy B. Wirthlin's last conference address he talked about how we have to make the best of life. He said that his mother told him, "Come what may and love it." I whole-heartedly believe this statement! That is why I have made it my personal mommy motto.
This week, as you create your own motto, keep in mind that it has to be something YOU believe in and are willing to live up to. It is too easy to just write something down on paper and never look at it again. I have this saying posted everywhere, I even made a magnet of it. I am constantly telling myself this and would not be surprised if it the first thing my almost one year old son says. :) I believe it, I feel it, but most importantly I live it!
The assignment for this week is to write your own mommy motto. It can be one word or it can be many. Just make sure you pick something you are convicted to.
If you are still in on this project and would like to receive the prize please leave a comment about your findings last week as well as your thoughts about your motto. Feel free to share your motto if you so wish!
Have a GREAT week!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Thursday Wild Card: Nutrition- 10 ways to avoid packing on the pounds
Hello and Happy Thursday!
Today I want to discuss some ways we can prevent that oh so dreaded holiday weight gain (or at least maintain our current weight). I have been trying really hard to focus on becoming a healthier person this year and have stumbled upon a few things on my journey. I want to share with you the 10 things that have helped me most to lose weight and also maintain it.
#1 Drink water! A lot of times when I thought I was hungry all I needed was a drink of water. I am not saying that we should stop eating, but a lot of times our bodies will tell us we are hungry when we are really just thirsty. There is a lot of water in food, but also a lot of extra calories that we don't always need.
#2 Excercise! I have found that for me exercising 3 times a week for at least an hour a day has really helped me lose weight. Some people may think that they can't do this, but start small. I started out with 10-15 minutes a day 3 times a week and now I have worked up to about an hour 3 times a week.
#3 Plan ahead! Plan, plan, plan! If I plan a weeks worth of meals it serves two purposes. First, if I have a plan I am less likely to call the pizza guy or eat out. Second, if you have a plan in place if you do eat out you decide before you go what you will eat. If I wait to decide when we get somewhere I often cave in and eat unhealthy. If I tell myself I want a burger tonight then I know I can get the small burger but no fries or soda. If you are prepared its a lot easier to not buckle.
#4 Have a 'cheat day'! I never eat clean every day of the week. Normally, I try and eat fairly healthy Monday-Friday, but then I allow myself to have a cookie and be not so good on the weekend. This doesn't mean I binge, but I enjoy myself.
#5 Fill up on fruits and veggies! Sometimes I get so concerned with making a big meal that I forget how important these two food groups are. Fresh fruits and veggies are the best plus a lot of them are good sources of fiber which keep you full for longer.
#6 Read labels! I am not super good at this one yet, but I try. I try to avoid food that contains a lot of sugar or 'enriched' flour. Neither of those ingredients help you maintain or not gain!
#7 Food Journal. If you are worried about your diet a great starting point is to journal what you eat in a day. This was an eye opener for me. I realized that a lot of my snacks were calorie loaded and I could be eating healthier.
#8 Play with your kids. They are GREAT excercise! They have so much energy and chasing them around the house or letting them use you as a jungle gym can give you a good mini workout. I have loved that, as I have become more in shape, I can last longer running around.
#9 Cut out soda and juice! These (yes even diet soda) contain a lot of sugar which can lead to excess belly fat. I have to admit I still like a soda now and then I just make sure it is a special treat and not a daily one.
#10 Snack wise! I love to snack! I hate eating super big meals because I always feel so uncomfortable after eating them, so I like to eat small meals and snack. This is a wise way to eat, but you have to be careful what you snack on. I always cut veggies and fruit up when I get them home from the store. I also, have started to portion out my snacks that way I am only eating 1 serving instead of 3. I love the 100 calorie packs. I also have a cool app on my iPod called the snack app that gives me great snack ideas that have 50-200 calories.
I hope these simple ideas help you have a happier holiday season! Do you have any good health tips? If so, please post! I greatly appreciate your comments!
Today I want to discuss some ways we can prevent that oh so dreaded holiday weight gain (or at least maintain our current weight). I have been trying really hard to focus on becoming a healthier person this year and have stumbled upon a few things on my journey. I want to share with you the 10 things that have helped me most to lose weight and also maintain it.
#1 Drink water! A lot of times when I thought I was hungry all I needed was a drink of water. I am not saying that we should stop eating, but a lot of times our bodies will tell us we are hungry when we are really just thirsty. There is a lot of water in food, but also a lot of extra calories that we don't always need.
#2 Excercise! I have found that for me exercising 3 times a week for at least an hour a day has really helped me lose weight. Some people may think that they can't do this, but start small. I started out with 10-15 minutes a day 3 times a week and now I have worked up to about an hour 3 times a week.
#3 Plan ahead! Plan, plan, plan! If I plan a weeks worth of meals it serves two purposes. First, if I have a plan I am less likely to call the pizza guy or eat out. Second, if you have a plan in place if you do eat out you decide before you go what you will eat. If I wait to decide when we get somewhere I often cave in and eat unhealthy. If I tell myself I want a burger tonight then I know I can get the small burger but no fries or soda. If you are prepared its a lot easier to not buckle.
#4 Have a 'cheat day'! I never eat clean every day of the week. Normally, I try and eat fairly healthy Monday-Friday, but then I allow myself to have a cookie and be not so good on the weekend. This doesn't mean I binge, but I enjoy myself.
#5 Fill up on fruits and veggies! Sometimes I get so concerned with making a big meal that I forget how important these two food groups are. Fresh fruits and veggies are the best plus a lot of them are good sources of fiber which keep you full for longer.
#6 Read labels! I am not super good at this one yet, but I try. I try to avoid food that contains a lot of sugar or 'enriched' flour. Neither of those ingredients help you maintain or not gain!
#7 Food Journal. If you are worried about your diet a great starting point is to journal what you eat in a day. This was an eye opener for me. I realized that a lot of my snacks were calorie loaded and I could be eating healthier.
#8 Play with your kids. They are GREAT excercise! They have so much energy and chasing them around the house or letting them use you as a jungle gym can give you a good mini workout. I have loved that, as I have become more in shape, I can last longer running around.
#9 Cut out soda and juice! These (yes even diet soda) contain a lot of sugar which can lead to excess belly fat. I have to admit I still like a soda now and then I just make sure it is a special treat and not a daily one.
#10 Snack wise! I love to snack! I hate eating super big meals because I always feel so uncomfortable after eating them, so I like to eat small meals and snack. This is a wise way to eat, but you have to be careful what you snack on. I always cut veggies and fruit up when I get them home from the store. I also, have started to portion out my snacks that way I am only eating 1 serving instead of 3. I love the 100 calorie packs. I also have a cool app on my iPod called the snack app that gives me great snack ideas that have 50-200 calories.
I hope these simple ideas help you have a happier holiday season! Do you have any good health tips? If so, please post! I greatly appreciate your comments!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Warm Wednesday
Good morning!
Today is Warm Wednesday so I am posting an amazing soup recipe I tried yesterday. I created this recipe and I call it Ham and Orzo Soup. Real original right? Well, the name may not be spectacular but the soup is.
Ham and Orzo Soup
1 cup fried/cooked ham
1 1/2- 2 cups orzo (depends on how thick you want it)
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 cup yellow zucchini
1 cup cheddar cheese
4 cups chicken broth
3 tbsp. almonds slivers
2 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. onion
Spray crock pot with cooking spray and put everything in but orzo. I cooked mine for a few hours on low then the last hour you add the orzo and cook on high. It was so delicious. The picture really doesn't do it justice.
Do you have any homemade soup recipes you just love? If so, please share! :)
Have a great day!
Today is Warm Wednesday so I am posting an amazing soup recipe I tried yesterday. I created this recipe and I call it Ham and Orzo Soup. Real original right? Well, the name may not be spectacular but the soup is.
Ham and Orzo Soup
1 cup fried/cooked ham
1 1/2- 2 cups orzo (depends on how thick you want it)
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 cup yellow zucchini
1 cup cheddar cheese
4 cups chicken broth
3 tbsp. almonds slivers
2 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. onion
Spray crock pot with cooking spray and put everything in but orzo. I cooked mine for a few hours on low then the last hour you add the orzo and cook on high. It was so delicious. The picture really doesn't do it justice.
Do you have any homemade soup recipes you just love? If so, please share! :)
Have a great day!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday Tutorial: Christmas Wreath
I have a confession: I love wreaths! I probably have 3 or 4 at least for each season that I do wreaths. They are my favorite! I especially love Christmas wreaths, but I could do without the pricey price tag. This year I decided that I would make all of my wreaths to avoid breaking the bank, and I am actually very pleased with how they turned out. The one I am showing you today cost a little under $15. When I was shopping at a local craft fair one similarly decorated and the same size was about $40. I was very pleased mine didn't cost that much! :)
Here are the supplies you will need:
Wreath (mine was $3 on sale at Walmart)
Glue Gun
Assorted decorations (the ones I used are listed below):
3 poinsettia clips
1 Merry Christmas Decoration
4 sprigs of colored branches
1 pack of snow flake decorations
1 pack of stocking decorations
First I clipped each poinsettia onto the wreath. Once I had it positioned where I wanted it I glued around the clip to secure it.
Next I glued the Merry Christmas decorations together then attached them to the middle of the wreath as shown below.
I then to the colored branch decorations and played around with them to see where I wanted them positioned. I ended up putting one on each side of the flowers on top and bottom. I wove them into the wreath and then secured again with the glue gun.
Lastly I placed all the little ornaments on the wreath and once I had them placed where I wanted them I secured them down with the glue gun.
The finished product.
If you have any other cheap creative ideas for wreaths please leave a comment. I would love to feature your wreath on here also! :) Have a great day!
Here are the supplies you will need:
Wreath (mine was $3 on sale at Walmart)
Glue Gun
Assorted decorations (the ones I used are listed below):
3 poinsettia clips
1 Merry Christmas Decoration
4 sprigs of colored branches
1 pack of snow flake decorations
1 pack of stocking decorations
First I clipped each poinsettia onto the wreath. Once I had it positioned where I wanted it I glued around the clip to secure it.
Next I glued the Merry Christmas decorations together then attached them to the middle of the wreath as shown below.
I then to the colored branch decorations and played around with them to see where I wanted them positioned. I ended up putting one on each side of the flowers on top and bottom. I wove them into the wreath and then secured again with the glue gun.
Lastly I placed all the little ornaments on the wreath and once I had them placed where I wanted them I secured them down with the glue gun.
The finished product.Monday, November 29, 2010
Manic Monday: Christmas Decorating
Hello all!
I am sorry it took me so long to get my post up this morning, but I had a dentist appointment so I got deterred. Anyway, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I hope none of you got trampled on Black Friday. I had a wonderful weekend and opted out of Black Friday by shopping online. :)
For the date idea tonight I am going to rope my husband into decorating with me. Once again here in Laramie it is super cold so I am going to do a warm dinner and then turn on the Christmas music and let the decorating begin. Some of our decorating is done, so if we have time (ok, lets not lie here, if my HUSBAND has time since this is the last week of school) maybe we will watch a movie. I also plan on making him some homemade hot cocoa so that he can stay awake while studying. Pretty simple idea this week!
Ok, now I have a favor to ask. I want EVERYONE who reads today to leave me their favorite Christmas movie.
Have a great week!
I am sorry it took me so long to get my post up this morning, but I had a dentist appointment so I got deterred. Anyway, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I hope none of you got trampled on Black Friday. I had a wonderful weekend and opted out of Black Friday by shopping online. :)
For the date idea tonight I am going to rope my husband into decorating with me. Once again here in Laramie it is super cold so I am going to do a warm dinner and then turn on the Christmas music and let the decorating begin. Some of our decorating is done, so if we have time (ok, lets not lie here, if my HUSBAND has time since this is the last week of school) maybe we will watch a movie. I also plan on making him some homemade hot cocoa so that he can stay awake while studying. Pretty simple idea this week!
Ok, now I have a favor to ask. I want EVERYONE who reads today to leave me their favorite Christmas movie.
Have a great week!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Project Mom Week 2
Happy Black Friday! I hope you all have a great day shopping if you so choose to battle the crowds. I chose to do mine online and only have one person left to shop for! :) If you are still wanting to complete the project for the prize leave at least one comment concerning last weeks post and what you have discovered.This week we will be going over things we don't like.
Wasn't it wonderful to rediscover things about yourself last week? Some of my 15 minute breaks included a bubble bath, reading a book, enjoying an episode of George Lopez. It was so refreshing to take a break and do something I enjoyed!
Along with things we do like it is important to know what we don't. For example I have always loathed folding laundry and onions. There are some things we do not like, such as folding laundry, that have to be done no matter what though so we have to find ways to make doing those things more enjoyable. As for onions, there are some things we don't like that we can choose to avoid or alter. The hard part is not finding ways to deal with these 'unlikeables'.
This week there are 2 lists I want you to make (yes, I know I am big on lists, but that will be explained in week 5). The lists I want you to make are the following:
1. What are 10 things you dislike that are negotiable (i.e. onions)
2. What are 10 things you dislike that are non-negotiable (i.e, folding laundry, paying bills, changing diapers)
The big difference between the two lists is things you can change (I can choose not to put onions in my food) and the other list is things you really can't (you have to pay bills).
Once you have made your lists evaluate them. Why do you dislike the things on your lists? I suggest you journal about it if you have a notebook. Now, make a quick list (in your head even) of a few things you like to do again. Why do you like to do those things you thought of? I personally found that most of the things on my 'like' list were things I had fun doing.
Now compare the lists. On my dislikes list were mainly things that weren't fun. Now, my mom used to tell me "things are what you make them." This always made me roll my eyes, but I am beginning to believe it has some truth to it.
As a Mom I have definitely realized there is a lot I don't like to do. At the same time I am beginning to realize that if I change my attitude some things aren't as bad as I originally believe them to be. I know we can't change everything and that somethings we may never find enjoyable, but I still have the power to choose to be pleasant while doing the these things.
Look at your dislike lists again. What do you have the power to change? I bet once you get to looking at your lists you might be surprised. For example, changing my boys' diapers is not a choice I have, but I can choose to make it fun or make everyone miserable doing it. For example, to make diaper changing fun, I sometimes chase the boys down and tickle them. This makes them happy and more cooperative. It may take longer but everyone comes out smiling.
We are so powerful ladies! We can change the way we see ourselves by changing the way we view our lives. This week I want you to do one thing. At least once a day I want you to take something you don't like and make it fun! Empower yourself by choosing to create your own fun!
Have a great week! PLEASE remember that if you are participating for the prize you NEED to comment with your results!
Come What May and LOVE it! :)
Wasn't it wonderful to rediscover things about yourself last week? Some of my 15 minute breaks included a bubble bath, reading a book, enjoying an episode of George Lopez. It was so refreshing to take a break and do something I enjoyed!
Along with things we do like it is important to know what we don't. For example I have always loathed folding laundry and onions. There are some things we do not like, such as folding laundry, that have to be done no matter what though so we have to find ways to make doing those things more enjoyable. As for onions, there are some things we don't like that we can choose to avoid or alter. The hard part is not finding ways to deal with these 'unlikeables'.
This week there are 2 lists I want you to make (yes, I know I am big on lists, but that will be explained in week 5). The lists I want you to make are the following:
1. What are 10 things you dislike that are negotiable (i.e. onions)
2. What are 10 things you dislike that are non-negotiable (i.e, folding laundry, paying bills, changing diapers)
The big difference between the two lists is things you can change (I can choose not to put onions in my food) and the other list is things you really can't (you have to pay bills).
Once you have made your lists evaluate them. Why do you dislike the things on your lists? I suggest you journal about it if you have a notebook. Now, make a quick list (in your head even) of a few things you like to do again. Why do you like to do those things you thought of? I personally found that most of the things on my 'like' list were things I had fun doing.
Now compare the lists. On my dislikes list were mainly things that weren't fun. Now, my mom used to tell me "things are what you make them." This always made me roll my eyes, but I am beginning to believe it has some truth to it.
As a Mom I have definitely realized there is a lot I don't like to do. At the same time I am beginning to realize that if I change my attitude some things aren't as bad as I originally believe them to be. I know we can't change everything and that somethings we may never find enjoyable, but I still have the power to choose to be pleasant while doing the these things.
Look at your dislike lists again. What do you have the power to change? I bet once you get to looking at your lists you might be surprised. For example, changing my boys' diapers is not a choice I have, but I can choose to make it fun or make everyone miserable doing it. For example, to make diaper changing fun, I sometimes chase the boys down and tickle them. This makes them happy and more cooperative. It may take longer but everyone comes out smiling.
We are so powerful ladies! We can change the way we see ourselves by changing the way we view our lives. This week I want you to do one thing. At least once a day I want you to take something you don't like and make it fun! Empower yourself by choosing to create your own fun!
Have a great week! PLEASE remember that if you are participating for the prize you NEED to comment with your results!
Come What May and LOVE it! :)
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