Hubby and I watched several installments of Jamie Olivers Food Revolution on television last month. It was disturbing but made me feel good about the efforts we have made, and been relatively successful with, introducing and teaching our two kiddos about food and making good food choices.
Recently my daughter and I were talking to someone about how much we love guacamole - I asked her if she remembered what is in guacamole; within a few seconds she listed avocados, red onion and tomatoes. I think she even remembered the lime juice! I was so proud of her, especially since I had seen the Jamie Oliver episode where he held up various common veggies and the kids didn't have a clue as to what they were (I prefer to believe that was creative editing, but who knows).
Here is our go-to recipe for Guacamole - we absolutely love it and avocados have "good" fat, so eat in good health!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Where is the Off Switch?
"I wish I could not think once in a while"
~ MaryAnne Williams
Ahhhhh, wouldn't that be nice? I've longed for an off switch for my brain since I was in college. I was the responsible one; planning, saving, thinking, organizing, careful about my choices. I had friends that used school loan money to go on vacation - Aruba and Hawaii to name a few. They "deserved" it after all. Me, well I did go to Ft. Lauderdale my junior year in college, drove down and split the room with two friends to save cash. As I recall I brought a giant bag of grapefruit with me thinking I'd eat that for breakfast and save on eating out.
Another friend wanted to know if she was fertile so she decided after she was married to find out. It didn't matter that neither she or her husband had good jobs; in fact her husband was still in college when she became pregnant. They lived in her parents basement until her baby was about three years old because that's all they could afford. She once told me "I can always continue my education at a later stage in my life; I'm only fertile for so long". I knew it was an indirect dig at my choice to wait to have kids. Thankfully, even though I was in my late 30s before having my first baby I now have had two healthy children and a good, dependable job to help support them. I have no regrets waiting and establishing myself in a career before hand.
I've saved for retirement since my first job. Sure, I was only 23 years old but I listened when the old-timers at the office told me it was the best thing to do; that before I knew it time would be flying by and if I waited it could be too late. So I did. I also increased my contributions to absorb raises I received; I didn't miss the money since I hadn't see it anyways. Another friend, she'd laugh and say "how do you know you aren't going to die tomorrow?" Well... that's true. But how do I know I won't live until I'm 85? No surprise, I'd rather make the safer choice and save. Funny, she started medical school married to one husband and finished it married to another. Apparently in the second divorce she cleared a chunk of money (his since they were married hardly one year) and was able to pay off those school loans. Funny how that works.
Which brings me to current day - raising two young kids with my husband. I have less chance to stop thinking now that I'm thinking for both of us it seems. Thinking about saving for college (again!), budgeting, making sure the property tax bill is paid. Wondering are my kids developing normally? Do they have good manners? Should I sign them up for soccer? Are they eating well-balanced meals? Did they wash their hands before dinner? None of these things would get done if I didn't think of them first and do something about them. It's exhausting, as I'm sure many women would agree. It also makes me all the more in awe of women who can do it alone; while my husband may switch his brain off when he gets home he does play with the kids, take them to the park, cook a good part of the meals and loves to read them stories before bedtime. I'm grateful for that.
But I'd still, once in my life, I would like to know what it feels like to be able to turn my brain off. Just for a day or two.
~ MaryAnne Williams
Ahhhhh, wouldn't that be nice? I've longed for an off switch for my brain since I was in college. I was the responsible one; planning, saving, thinking, organizing, careful about my choices. I had friends that used school loan money to go on vacation - Aruba and Hawaii to name a few. They "deserved" it after all. Me, well I did go to Ft. Lauderdale my junior year in college, drove down and split the room with two friends to save cash. As I recall I brought a giant bag of grapefruit with me thinking I'd eat that for breakfast and save on eating out.
Another friend wanted to know if she was fertile so she decided after she was married to find out. It didn't matter that neither she or her husband had good jobs; in fact her husband was still in college when she became pregnant. They lived in her parents basement until her baby was about three years old because that's all they could afford. She once told me "I can always continue my education at a later stage in my life; I'm only fertile for so long". I knew it was an indirect dig at my choice to wait to have kids. Thankfully, even though I was in my late 30s before having my first baby I now have had two healthy children and a good, dependable job to help support them. I have no regrets waiting and establishing myself in a career before hand.
I've saved for retirement since my first job. Sure, I was only 23 years old but I listened when the old-timers at the office told me it was the best thing to do; that before I knew it time would be flying by and if I waited it could be too late. So I did. I also increased my contributions to absorb raises I received; I didn't miss the money since I hadn't see it anyways. Another friend, she'd laugh and say "how do you know you aren't going to die tomorrow?" Well... that's true. But how do I know I won't live until I'm 85? No surprise, I'd rather make the safer choice and save. Funny, she started medical school married to one husband and finished it married to another. Apparently in the second divorce she cleared a chunk of money (his since they were married hardly one year) and was able to pay off those school loans. Funny how that works.
Which brings me to current day - raising two young kids with my husband. I have less chance to stop thinking now that I'm thinking for both of us it seems. Thinking about saving for college (again!), budgeting, making sure the property tax bill is paid. Wondering are my kids developing normally? Do they have good manners? Should I sign them up for soccer? Are they eating well-balanced meals? Did they wash their hands before dinner? None of these things would get done if I didn't think of them first and do something about them. It's exhausting, as I'm sure many women would agree. It also makes me all the more in awe of women who can do it alone; while my husband may switch his brain off when he gets home he does play with the kids, take them to the park, cook a good part of the meals and loves to read them stories before bedtime. I'm grateful for that.
But I'd still, once in my life, I would like to know what it feels like to be able to turn my brain off. Just for a day or two.
Monday, March 15, 2010
A Critter Mystery
I came home from work today and as usual went to the back door to let the dog out. I stand there and usually look around to see if any of the squirrels we feed are out and about. I glanced up to the knot hole in our maple tree; we suspect they have a nest in there so it's fun to see if one is peeking out at us.
This is what I saw:
It's a squirrel alright, but I'm preeeety sure he is dead. I stood there for about 30 seconds and he was motionless (and 2 hours later he still is). Now I have questions running through my mind.
How did he die? Was it old age? Something we fed him? Was he sick? And how did he end up in that weird position? Did he have a rodent heart attack which caused him to fling himself backwards out of the knot hole resulting in him hanging out of the knot hole in a supine position and upside down? Or did he get stuck and hung there until he died? I hope that isn't what happened - poor guy.
Now what do we do? The tree is in the middle of our dinky yard so the dog and the kids will likely come across bits and pieces as he starts to decay. We also have visiting skunks, possums, raccoons and a great horned owl that visits occasionally; would one of them try to eat the carcass? Or not since it's already dead?
Do I send Hubby up there to extract him? But he’s pretty far up - at least 16’. He seems to think he can knock the squirrel loose with his branch cutter but I have my doubts. Or what if the squirrel falls apart as he is trying to knock the body out? Gross.
We'll see what happens this weekend.
This is what I saw:
It's a squirrel alright, but I'm preeeety sure he is dead. I stood there for about 30 seconds and he was motionless (and 2 hours later he still is). Now I have questions running through my mind.
How did he die? Was it old age? Something we fed him? Was he sick? And how did he end up in that weird position? Did he have a rodent heart attack which caused him to fling himself backwards out of the knot hole resulting in him hanging out of the knot hole in a supine position and upside down? Or did he get stuck and hung there until he died? I hope that isn't what happened - poor guy.
Now what do we do? The tree is in the middle of our dinky yard so the dog and the kids will likely come across bits and pieces as he starts to decay. We also have visiting skunks, possums, raccoons and a great horned owl that visits occasionally; would one of them try to eat the carcass? Or not since it's already dead?
Do I send Hubby up there to extract him? But he’s pretty far up - at least 16’. He seems to think he can knock the squirrel loose with his branch cutter but I have my doubts. Or what if the squirrel falls apart as he is trying to knock the body out? Gross.
We'll see what happens this weekend.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Interview with a 3-year-old
Not to be outdone my 3-year-old is debuting with his very first interview:
What is something mommy always says to you? "No"
What makes mommy happy? Happy
What makes mommy sad? (shows a dramatic "sad" face)
How does mommy make you laugh? Ha ha ha ha
What was your mommy like as a child? (no answer)
How old is mommy? 4
How tall is mommy? (both hands up as high as he can stretch)
What is mommy’s favorite thing to watch on TV? Snow White
What does mommy do when you’re not around? I don't know
What is mommy really good at? Snow White
What is mommy not very good at? Mad
What does mommy do for her job? Work on train
What is mommy’s favorite food? Chicken (what we were currently eating)
What makes you proud of mommy? Happy
If mommy were a cartoon, who would she be? Snow White
What do you and mommy do together? Play cars
How are you and mommy the same? I don't know
How are you and mommy different? (no answer)
How do you know mommy loves you? Give me hugs
What does mommy like most about daddy? Sucker (for the record I do not think my husband is a sucker!)
Where is mommy’s favorite place to go? Bannockburn (neighboring town aka work)
What is something mommy always says to you? "No"
What makes mommy happy? Happy
What makes mommy sad? (shows a dramatic "sad" face)
How does mommy make you laugh? Ha ha ha ha
What was your mommy like as a child? (no answer)
How old is mommy? 4
How tall is mommy? (both hands up as high as he can stretch)
What is mommy’s favorite thing to watch on TV? Snow White
What does mommy do when you’re not around? I don't know
What is mommy really good at? Snow White
What is mommy not very good at? Mad
What does mommy do for her job? Work on train
What is mommy’s favorite food? Chicken (what we were currently eating)
What makes you proud of mommy? Happy
If mommy were a cartoon, who would she be? Snow White
What do you and mommy do together? Play cars
How are you and mommy the same? I don't know
How are you and mommy different? (no answer)
How do you know mommy loves you? Give me hugs
What does mommy like most about daddy? Sucker (for the record I do not think my husband is a sucker!)
Where is mommy’s favorite place to go? Bannockburn (neighboring town aka work)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Interview with a 5-year-old
This is my annual interview with my daughter (and this year my son participated too). March 2009 was when we did this the first time. She is now 5. Some of her answers were identical to last year (what makes mommy sad, how does mommy make you laugh and what does mommy like most about daddy?),
What is something mommy always says to you? "I love you"
What makes mommy happy? Being helpful
What makes her sad? Not being helpful
How does mommy make you laugh? Tickle me
What was your mommy like as a child? Medium-sized and happy
How old is mommy? 42
How tall is mommy? 42
What is mommy's favorite thing to watch on TV? The Olympics
What does mommy do when you're not around? Make stuff special for us
What is mommy really good at? Working
What is mommy not very good at? At burning your hand
What does mommy do for her job? Work at your work
What is mommy's favorite food? Vegetables (I wish! Last year it was "carrots and grapefruit" I'm very grateful she has this perceived healthy eating on my part)
What makes you proud of mommy? When you give me right things
If mommy were a cartoon, who would she be? The Simpsons
What do you and mommy do together? We go out to dinner
How are you and mommy the same? We have matching greyhound shirts (last year it was "we both match dresses")
How are you and mommy different? You're taller and I'm medium sized
How do you know mommy loves you? When I'm helpful
What does mommy like most about daddy? Marry him
Where is mommy's favorite place to go? Potbellys
What is something mommy always says to you? "I love you"
What makes mommy happy? Being helpful
What makes her sad? Not being helpful
How does mommy make you laugh? Tickle me
What was your mommy like as a child? Medium-sized and happy
How old is mommy? 42
How tall is mommy? 42
What is mommy's favorite thing to watch on TV? The Olympics
What does mommy do when you're not around? Make stuff special for us
What is mommy really good at? Working
What is mommy not very good at? At burning your hand
What does mommy do for her job? Work at your work
What is mommy's favorite food? Vegetables (I wish! Last year it was "carrots and grapefruit" I'm very grateful she has this perceived healthy eating on my part)
What makes you proud of mommy? When you give me right things
If mommy were a cartoon, who would she be? The Simpsons
What do you and mommy do together? We go out to dinner
How are you and mommy the same? We have matching greyhound shirts (last year it was "we both match dresses")
How are you and mommy different? You're taller and I'm medium sized
How do you know mommy loves you? When I'm helpful
What does mommy like most about daddy? Marry him
Where is mommy's favorite place to go? Potbellys
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
He's Just Not That Into You
I checked this movie out of the library this past weekend and have come to the conclusion that this should be required viewing for all young women.
I know it was a comedy, but honestly so much of it rang true to life. Everything from the beginning where little girls are told "Jimmy is picking on you because he likes you" to the crazy things women do (and yes, I did too) trying to analyze what a man did, what did it mean, what should you do all the way to the clique of waiting by the phone, checking 10 times to make sure it was working, etc. I have notebooks that I kept in high school jotting down what my crush did/said/didn't do with my resulting analysis. Just imagine where I'd be now if I had spent all that time studying something important like math, English or biology.
It was funny to watch now but a little painful to see it happen and remember that I really did do some of those things. Stupid, pathetic, low self-esteem things. Is there anyway I can prevent my daughter from going through those painful, useless gyrations? Someway to help her see it before she gets mired in the I'm-not-happy-or-complete-unless-I'm-in-a-relationship muck?
Much to my chagrin she is already idealizing Cinderella and the Price, Snow White and the Prince, etc. I really tried to keep all that stuff away from her but once one little girl at school had it and started talking princesses it spread like wild fire. My girl came home talking about this stuff without ever having seen it. I caved and allowed her to have some dress-up princess gowns, and allowed Grandma to buy her Cinderella and off we went.
Now she is talking about the song "All the Single Ladies" and while I know she has never heard it at home or seen the video it makes me a little sad realizing the influence her peers have over her. I'll just have to be more influential.
I know it was a comedy, but honestly so much of it rang true to life. Everything from the beginning where little girls are told "Jimmy is picking on you because he likes you" to the crazy things women do (and yes, I did too) trying to analyze what a man did, what did it mean, what should you do all the way to the clique of waiting by the phone, checking 10 times to make sure it was working, etc. I have notebooks that I kept in high school jotting down what my crush did/said/didn't do with my resulting analysis. Just imagine where I'd be now if I had spent all that time studying something important like math, English or biology.
It was funny to watch now but a little painful to see it happen and remember that I really did do some of those things. Stupid, pathetic, low self-esteem things. Is there anyway I can prevent my daughter from going through those painful, useless gyrations? Someway to help her see it before she gets mired in the I'm-not-happy-or-complete-unless-I'm-in-a-relationship muck?
Much to my chagrin she is already idealizing Cinderella and the Price, Snow White and the Prince, etc. I really tried to keep all that stuff away from her but once one little girl at school had it and started talking princesses it spread like wild fire. My girl came home talking about this stuff without ever having seen it. I caved and allowed her to have some dress-up princess gowns, and allowed Grandma to buy her Cinderella and off we went.
Now she is talking about the song "All the Single Ladies" and while I know she has never heard it at home or seen the video it makes me a little sad realizing the influence her peers have over her. I'll just have to be more influential.
Kids and Drumsticks
This is what my 3 year old's place mat looks like after he is done eating chicken. He cleans the bones off like an expert and lines them up. In real life it is one of the funniest things I've seen - that he is so methodical and organized. My 5 year old is no where near as skilled at eating chicken off the bone as her little brother.However, she does say some pretty funny things. Of course she doesn't mean to be funny which is usually why it is funny in the first place.
Earlier this week I was cleaning her ears post bathtime. She stood nice and straight and said "Mommy, I'm not going to move around so you don't punch my drumstick" at which point I burst out laughing and almost did punch her drumstick, er I mean poke her ear drum.
Those are the moments that really can help wash away a day of stress.
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