Cooking for two...three...four....or more!

As we begin this week, it's time to work on "dinners".  Whether you are a mommy or not, life is hectic and no one truly has the time they WANT in the kitchen.

Here is a post I made a while back about cooking one main ingredient but getting a few meals out of it.  Truly the way to go!
cooking for two...meals and it talks about creating just a couple of meals out of chicken breasts that I slow cooked.  But in reality, there is SO much more you can make.

From cooking a few pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts in the slow cooker on low for about 7 hours, you can easily make the following:


MONDAY:  Chicken tacos (crispy, soft, however you like....)
TUESDAY:  Chicken taco salads (you can make your own shells using large fajita shells on a taco shell molding pan).  This time I add in avocado, black olives, salsa...and make a little "bar" that the kids can choose their own toppings.  They love it!
WEDNESDAY:  Chicken Enchiladas (I have used a few from allrecipes.com and they've all been successful).  a winner from allrecipes.com for chicken enchiladas
THURSDAY:  Chicken Pitas  (just buy pitas from the store if you don't want to make your own and steam up cut tomatoes, similar to what you would get with this dish at a restaurant).  Here's my recipe for raita:
--1/2 cup of plain fat free yogurt
--peeled/seeded and shredded cucumber
--very thinly sliced onion
--1 tbsp of lime juice
--about a 1/4 tsp of cumin
Refrigerate for at least an hour or so for the flavors to "mesh"

FRIDAY:  Chicken Tortilla soup (great slow cooker meal)--recipe in post link above
SATURDAY:  Chicken quesadilla  (grab a couple of tortillas--spray the pan with oil and get it hot--put a tortilla on--add chicken/cheese/etc--add another tortilla on top-- cook--flip--voila!  Great to dip in guacamole or sour cream.  The kids will love it, too!

As you can see, the list is endless.
Here is another great article about using the slowcooker weekly from Passionate Penny Pincher.
reasons to use your slow cooker weekly by passionpennypincher.com article

What's on YOUR list?

What a great article I found the other day on Huff Post Parents about the "things I've learned after three and a half decades of life".  And of those 35 reasons listed, I'm not sure I can truly choose my favorite.  They all truly are right on point.  One that stuck out though is #22-- which talks about Monday being just as important as Friday-- and that it's 1/7 of your life--don't waste it.  How true is that sentiment?!  How often do we "wait" all week for Friday--- allow the weekend to fly by--and already hate the week ahead as we approach Monday?  What if that's the last Monday you ever saw?  Wouldn't you want it to be the BEST MONDAY EVER?!  

#24-- HAVING A PHONE AFFAIR-- how did it resonate with you?  I admit, I spend WAY too much time glancing down at my phone to check all kinds of stuff--but in reality, what's the most important in my life is NOT on the phone...well, maybe just a hundred or so of their pictures.  

Check out the article here and challenge yourself to come up with your own "list".  I will challenge myself to come up with the "top 40" things I've learned in the 4 decades that I've been alive as I approach my 40th in just a few months.  I'll be back to update :)

Check out the HUFF POST article here

Potty train or not to potty train......

So who doesn't LOVE potty training??!!!  
Most moms...dads....daycare providers....the carseat....the bed....the washing machine.....oh, the couch....the carpeting....

The BIGGER question is what is the best method and WHEN to work it??  
For me, I think it truly depends on the age of the child and their personality type.  What motivates them?  Is training important to THEM or just important to YOU?  Just because YOU don't want to buy diapers anymore doesn't mean it's motivation enough for them to hault usage.  But I will be the first to say, bribery with M&Ms....is the bomb diggity!  And almost every parent I talk to ends up at the bribery route and loved it.  So don't judge til you try it yourself.  

We personally did the 3 day method for our oldest son, however due to his dyspraxia and verbal apraxia, we didn't train him until just over 3 yrs old.  Not that we didn't try--but we weren't in the best daycare environment that was eager to "help" on their end.  Once we made the switch, it happened very quickly.  Of course, it wasn't "perfect"---and NOTHING will be 100% in only 3 days, but it was a start.  I'm not so sure that method would work for those who want to train at 18 months...but maybe....I'd love to hear from you!

I came across this great article (link below) about different methods--- take a look for yourself.  I highly recommend this BEST POTTY CHAIR EVER BY PRINCE LIONHEART (click for link to it).  It's a seat that goes on top of your toilet seat so no extra "chair" in the bathroom (great for those with tight spaces or who don't want to "dump" the contents.  Just get a little stool like those they sell at Ikea for a few bucks and voila--- instant potty chair.  And trust me--we tried 'em all.....froggy chairs....elmo chairs.....go diego go seats.... and this was a true winner.  So that's what I recommend to my friends =) 

ARTICLE:  POTTY TRAINING METHODS BROUGHT TO YOU BY BeautyThroughImperfection.com

prince lionheart potty chair

Poison control anyone??

The day started out by calling poison control about 15 minutes before I would be taking my oldest son to school.  NOT exactly how I planned my day.  But thankfully all was ok, however I kept him home from school since I wanted to keep an eye on him and didn't know what the extra dosage of medication might do later in the day.  It was also one of those moments that make you realize that it could all be gone in an instant.

The day was actually WONDERFUL!  I got special, very much needed one on one time with my oldest while my toddler was in preschool and then later on got one on one time with my toddler who told me "it was the best day ever"!  

So wonderful that I found this poem later in the day--a great reminder that I needed to hear since today I didn't get much done on my "to do" list, although it was a mile long...and that was totally ok.  Somehow I'm at peace for once, even the the floors desperately need cleaned.  

Check it out-- Poem from MomentsADay.com called The Kitchen Can Wait

Weather: 80 with a chance of snowmen.....

So although it's 80 here in Chicago today, I find it a "must" to post this adorable idea from OneCreativeMommy.com's website for an Olaf snowman.  Oddly enough, this is the costume of choice for one of my boys this year and we literally just saw Frozen a week ago (loved it!!!).  

I'll post our "after" pictures once we complete this project but thought it would be a good one to share as we get ready for the long, cold winter in the midwest.  

Link:

Olaf sock snowman tutorial from OneCreativeMommy.Com

She's Baaaaaccckkkkk!!!!!

Oh look who's back!!!!!!   That's right....the crazy one.  Mom of 2 little boys.  Wife.  Homemaker?
So where did I leave off?  Hmmmm...from the looks of the blog photo, it's been a while.  I'm pretty sure my oldest is now driving.  Ok ok....maybe it hasn't been THAT long, but it's been a while.

The latest in a nutshell is that I lost my corporate job last fall after being there for over 10 years.  And I'm pretty sure I did a "happy dance" on the way out, but they won't turn over the video.  Last year I got in "better" shape, started running and losing weight and finished my first half marathon in September of 2014.  Yeah, you read that right.

Of course, fast forward a year and a few pounds have found their way back and I lost my map to the gym....BUT I'll get back....within this decade...I'm pretty sure of it.  Life has certainly gotten crazy.  I used to think that I would get "so much more done" if I wasn't working and my stress level would be nothing---but wow, was I wrong!  Guess what??  While at work no one can mess up the house.  Home 24/7 and crap happens.

Anyways---glad to be back.  I'll be posting some new recipes, craft ideas, stories..the latest bargains and more!  Don't miss it.....  :)
#sheisback
#momisnuts
#whatswiththehashtags
#icantstop
#seriously

Popcorn party!!!!

Do you really want to impress the kiddos?  Pop popcorn in a bag, in the microwave. 
Here's how it works:

• All you need is one brown "lunch bag" size paper bag

• Put about 1/4 cup of your favorite popping corn inside
• Fold down the top a bit so it doesn't pop all over your microwave
• Place in microwave---I use the "popcorn" button and listen for it to stop popping.

The kids are absolutely amazed that they get to make their own popcorn and can even eat it out of the bag if you'd like--just sprinkle with a bit of salt.  Otherwise, it pours out great in to a big bowl. 

Big letters....little letters....learn learn learn

As a mom of two boys who LOVE to play cars, I found this to be a fun, interactive way for them to learn their letters --both capital and lowercase. 

 

WHAT YOU NEED:

--Foam board

--26 matchbox style cars

--dot stickers for the letters (or I used a label maker)

 

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Be creative and have fun with this. 

I made "parking spaces" with capital letters and dotted some roads.  On the actual cars you will put the lowercase letters.  The GOAL is that they would match the lowercase and the uppercase. 

 

The kids have had a lot of fun with this.  In the larger spaces we have placed people, trucks, houses....whatever the day brings. 

 

HAPPY LEARNING!!

 

Thoughts on Diagnosis Day

Boy, sometimes I truly don't know how "real" bloggers do it.  Where do they find the TIME to keep up with these things????  But I digress.....

So I just had to re-post something that was shared with me on another board for special needs mama's, like myself.  This truly brought me to tears, but not in a "bad" way as much as a "it's going to be ok" way. 

If you have a child who has special needs, take a look at this youtube.com video---it's a great one!!

Please feel free to comment on this post and add some of your own feelings. 

Diagnosis Day--your thoughts 

HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVE.....

In looking for a group to join of special needs moms in my area, I came upon this great posting on a blog about the REAL differences between "regular" moms vs those who have special needs kids, like myself.

My oldest son has speech apraxia with a very severe delay as well as sensory disorders and lastly, let's just call it "behaviorally challenged" for now.  I'm not in to labels, so honestly now sure how the "professionals" would label him today.  When you do the good-old fashioned google search he has a bit of them all, but nothing "black and white"--so waiting to post that label on him for a little while longer.  In comparing my two boys, I definitely am seeing signs that my youngest has sensory issues as well.

So on to the great stuff....

This posting really  made me laugh and smile this morning, when I really needed it.  Sometimes "regular" moms just don't "get" what us special needs moms go through on a day to day basis.  I know the grass is not always greener.  I also know though that having gone through what I have --and the millions of other moms of kids with special needs, that we also look at life differently.  We don't take things for granted like those might who have typical children.  Truly the small things make a HUGE difference in our world, both on a negative front as well as the positive.  When our child wakes up happy and doesn't have a complete meltdown before breakfast, I consider that a fabulous morning!  When I see my other child using words in the correct manner and appearing to develop "normally" in terms of language, I am ecstatic!!!    BUT when I have to remind my special needs child to put on his shoes eight times and then realize he's having a breakdown because he can't figure out the velcro, well--it's not such a great morning.

So check out this list....and see how the other half live....whichever half that may be for you!
HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVE

OH Red Red "Whine"

Dear Diary--Calgon.....take me away!!! 

So as I work in my home office I hear a "boom" and a "splat" and think "hmmmmm...." and then I hear the husband say "oh no...... no no......".  I know the kids are not home so I only have one assumption.....there is now a huge pile of RED matter all over my cream colored carpeting.

I know what you are thinking......why would a mother of two small boys have cream carpeting???
Oh wait....you weren't thinking that were you?  Is the red matter BLOOD?!   Nope. 

Why at 10:30 am it would be none other than gallons....and gallons of RED WINE!   My husband has been brewing a batch that he kept in the dining room while it was fermenting.  But somehow he claims it "slipped right off the table" and well..... all over my cream carpeting.  And I mean ALL.OVER.

So I stayed calm.  I knew taking a straw and trying to suck it up would only delay the process...and probably would be a little fuzzy....so I got the carpet shampooer out only to figure out that this thing didn't have enough power to combat this mess.

Quickly googling 'how to remove red wine from carpeting' I found so many different ideas.  Of course the answers my husband found were opposite of mine.  So we went with my ideas---- borax, white wine and salt...and scrubbed and pasted.  It's drying now. 

And my husband is out purchasing paint to cover the red wine stains all over the white wall.  AND pricing carpeting.  Sure, I've asked for new carpeting for another room for two years and after only ONE spill from him in a room with perfect carpet, it's about to be replaced.  Momma thinks she's going to finally get her 'new' carpeting in the family room kids!  Funny how things work.

Cheap and easy way to decorate kids rooms!

So I find that every week my oldest son is in to something different when it comes to his bedroom.  First it was cars, then fire engines, then spiderman and now seems to be any action hero.  I found that using removable stickers are a great way to change up the decor quickly and more importantly, CHEAPLY.  Here is an easy to use bedroom decor (even a kid can do it!) that is definitely worth checking out.  We've had quite a few different ones over the last couple of years and they work great.   Super easy to apply--and the kids can move them around the room if they wish (all by themselves).  

FUN way to learning letters....numbers....sight words (oh my!)

My 4 year old is currently learning his alphabet and I have a great game that is very interactive, fun and gives them a little "edible treat"--which of course both of the boys love.  It's actually a great way for my 21 month old to begin learning his letters as well.

So here is what you need:
Plastic cups
Dry-erase marker  (if all you have is a sharpee you can use that along with a "magic eraser" to wipe it off OR you can actually just use stickers/masking tape with the letters written on them)
Treats (I used M&Ms, but stickers can even be used)

Yup--it's THAT easy!!!

HOW IT WORKS:

• Take 3 cups and draw ONE letter on each
• Put a treat (like an M&M) under ONE of the cups (don't let your little one see which cup though)
• Let your little one "guess" which cup it's under by SAYING the letter.  Once they get the letter right, they can lift up the cup.  The best part is they can keep trying until they "win".
• Wipe off the letters and start with new letters
• This can also be done with numbers and sight words

Have fun!!

I hope to post a picture soon.

New Year--new post.....

So I seriously suck at this blogging thing.  BUT as in the title, this is the true reality of being a mom....no "me" time.  I'm really going to try much harder to make more time for "me" this year....2013.  By the way, Happy New Year to all!!

So I'm going to make some resolutions for myself that I'm sure to keep:

1.  Losing Weight.  

• Sure, I can do it just like all the rest.  I'm not saying I won't gain in right back--but I can certainly lose it.  No.  Really though--I want to go from Flabulous to Fabulous in 2013.  Not quite sure how I am going to make that happen yet, although I did get a Wii for Christmas along with the Zumba workout.  

2.  Tell him what he THINKS he wants to hear.  

• So the dear husband always tells me that I need to TELL him what I want--as in giving me help with things around the house, etc etc.  Although I've had this conversation several times and have even made up cute little index cards to help give visuals to the tasks that are needed around the house, I will make his wish part of my resolution and be very upfront and honest with him.  I'm sure he's going to love it!

3.  Drink more.

• Beer.....water.....whatever.   One makes mommy happy, the other makes the body happy.  We'll split the difference.  

4.  Play more.

• As in lottery.  SOMEONE has to win, right?  Sure, I played a handful of times throughout 2012--mainly when the stakes were high.  But this mama is going to play hard in 2013 and like most Americans, hang on to the dreams of winning big.  What would YOU do with your winnings?  

I think that's about all for now.  Hooray for my first post of 2013!!!   Perhaps I'll see ya again in about 3-4 months.  (kidding, I hope!  I really need to get better at this.)

Great gift idea for grandparents!!

Ok--this is going to sound sappy...but there is one regret I had before my Father in Law suddenly passed away 2 yrs ago, and it's that we don't have anything with his voice on it.  Since then, I've been wanting to get those "recordable" books for all of the grandparents.  I just saw on zulily that they have those "record a story" books for only $7.99!!!!  I've never seen them that cheap.  Normally $20 and even amazon has them for $10+ each. So had to share this deal!!!

So when you go in to zulily.com--type in the "search" box  "record a story"--and there are at least 4 titles that come up like 3 little pigs, goldilocks, etc.

TRUE STORY:  I actually bought one  and did one myself before going for my 2nd c-section --I was so scared--and I wanted my son to have my voice for comfort.  It's his favorite book to this day because at the end I say "good night Matthew, I love you!"  and he kisses the book.  It's so cute. 

Here's a link for the record a story: http://www.zulily.com/invite/acern435/p/the-three-little-pigs-28209-2418933.html  

REMEMBER:  If you are going to order multiple--only order one first so you pay the cheapest shipping ($5 something) and then shipping on anything is free til midnight.

I had it all wrong!

So I've had it all wrong my friends...... I thought that kids loved ice cream IN their cones, but instead my children just love ice cream CONES.  Literally...JUST.THE.CONE.  Not sure what that's all about, but apparently they could care less if there's ice cream in it.  They just love to crunch.  In fact, they run to find them in the evening, after dinner and get beyond excited when I had them...a cone.

Try it.

Why Can't I Win???

Why can't I just win once.  No, not the lottery.  Although that would be pretty sweet.  I'm talking about just winning one in life.  I'm not saying that my life is horrible--it's definitely not.  In fact, I'm blessed in so many ways it's hard to even count them all.  But it's like I can't catch a break sometimes. 

After years of feeling horrible health-wise, and even worse the last 16 months or so, I finally visited a specialist last month.  Today I got the results.  The good news is it's not Lupus or Arthritis.   And I was already cleared for MS earlier this year.  Instead it's Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  A syndrome I used to chuckle at because I didn't really understand it.  But now I do.  I'm living it.  I've lived it for years but now I know the name of it.

Back in my early 20's I got mono.  Not sure exactly how, as I thought it was something you'd get earlier in life--but I did.  And since then I've had one weird illness after another.  Ironically, this CFS is actually affiliated with the Epstein Barr virus which is what causes mono.  It basically never leaves some people's bodies. 

As a result I live in daily pain.  Like the kind you have when you are sick with the flu--very achy joints and muscles.  Everywhere.  And in addition there is a lot of weakness and tiredness. 

I guess I dealt with this pre-children because I just didn't know what else it was--but now with two small children, one of which requires a LOT of energy it's truly taking a toll on me.  I want to be the mom that can keep up and run around with them.  Again, for my older son he needs it as therapy.  And now I feel like it's getting harder and harder to provide it for him.  Literally taking a walk down the block will wear me out.  No, not immediately but the next day.  It's truly why every time I would start a good workout regime, I would have to end it quickly .... I would always get 'flu like' for days afterwards.  I just assumed it WAS the flu or some weird virus. 

So now I'm looking for anything that will help me.  Help me to be a stronger parent.  I read all of these stories about people with CFS being on disability because it's such a disabling illness and honestly, I used to judge--but now I totally "get" it.  I guess yet another lesson in life about not judging people. 

Cooking for 2....meals.

As a busy mom of 2, it's important to me to not spend my life over the stove and instead, spend valuable time with them.  That is why I LOVE to find recipes that I can cook and manipulate in to a couple of totally different meals.

One of my faves:

1st meal:  Chicken (taco) salad

--SUPER EASY.  Take a package of skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 7 of them) and plop them in to a slow cooker.  Then add your favorite jar of salsa (yes, the entire jar).  Then just cook for about 7 hours on low (I basically turn it on before leaving for work and it's done when I return....).  About 30 minutes before it's done, take a couple forks and shred it up.  Keep it in the salsa mix.

Then I take a package of taco salad shells.  You can get these in the refrigerated section of your grocery store (by the refrigerated taco shells).  You bake them for about 7 minutes.  Then I use SHREDS lettuce (you know, the stuff that's in the bag in your produce department).  Fill the shell with lettuce, add tomatoes, shredded cheese, your chicken mixture and top with sour cream.

2nd meal--day 2:  Chicken Tortilla soup

--So now you'll take the leftover chicken mixture and toss it BACK in to the slow cooker the next day.  Add in the following:
1 can of stewed tomatoes
1 onion--finely chopped
some garlic
14.5 oz can of chicken broth
1 can of enchilada sauce (the 10 oz size)
1 teaspoon each of:  cumin and chili powder
A bit of pepper to your taste
1 can of chopped green chiles
I add in about a half bag of frozen corn and a can of black beans

You guessed it.  TURN ON the slow cooker--about 6-7 hours on low.  Top with freshly chopped cilantro.  YUM!  Then take some taco chips and you can break them up and eat with it.  Top with sour cream.

So yummy!!!!  Enjoy.

My (unpopular) thoughts on the Chicago Teacher's Strike

I must say, the news that the Chicago Public School teachers striking this morning was just a slap in the face to the public and more so, to the students that they teach. 

With an average salary of approximately $76,000 (not including benefits), it's tough to feel bad for them.  In a society where people are working two jobs and not even coming close to that salary, how CAN you feel bad? 

Of course the Union indicates that no, the teachers don't make that much.  It's a bit lower than that.  OK.  That may be true, but we're talking about $5K less.  Sorry guys....still not looking too good.  Keep in mind that this salary includes 3 MONTHS of summer vacation along with many...many days off for holidays in between. 

The teachers argue that they aren't being reviewed properly, since new guidelines would indicate that those who teach students that perform very low on standardized tests could potentially lose their jobs.  The teachers indicate that their students are hungry...and poor...and that is the reason that they perform so low. 
I won't argue that hunger in America is a real problem and certainly can hurt a child's ability to learn.  However, most of these students receive not only free lunch from the school, but breakfast as well.   And I'm sorry, but being poor doesn't mean that you get a free pass at tests.  There are plenty of true success stories of those who rose from the projects and even homelessness.  The poorest of the poor. 

So how is this different than any of us who work in corporate America?  We are all reviewed on metrics that we may or may not be able to move the needle on.  And for those that we can, we truly work our butts off.  And yet, we do it.  And we don't get paid nearly what these teachers do, nor have the time off.  And we can't afford to strike with every little thing we disagree on.  We're lucky to have jobs.  Although we may not have these jobs for long if we have to take off of work to provide childcare for our children who now do not have school (and just returned from a 3 month summer break).  Or better yet, find it necessary to spend OUR hard-earned money (not even coming close to their teacher's salaries) to find a temporary childcare provider.  So that's 350,000 students PLUS their parents that are now finding themselves in an uncomfortable and unfair position. 

I believe in Unions, but this time it's gone too far.  In a society where students need "good" teachers more than ever, I'm starting to think that perhaps it's time to find new ones.  Perhaps ones that CAN help the students reach appropriate scores on standardized tests.  Heck, think of the amount of money the school system would save.  I mean, a teacher just starting out--who is fresh and committed and not yet burnt out could be a real influence to the students.  And they most likely wouldn't come anywhere NEAR the median salary that the tenured teachers are.   Something to think about.  I'd love to hear your comments. 

Here's a great story:  how much do teacher's make?

At what point....

So at what point do we as "moms" go from wearing cute two-piece swimsuits to wearing sensible "tankini" style swimsuits that showcase a skirted bottom in lieu of the traditional bikini?  

THAT was the realization I recently made while my husband and I took the boys to a waterpark.  I was looking at other guests relaxing with adult beverages and bikinis that didn't leave much to the imagination when I looked down at my own attire thinking, "when did this happen??!"  That used to be ME.  Thirty pounds thinner and with a much higher chest.  When I looked around the waterpark, I found that there was an entire club of swim-skirt wearing moms.  The segregation was amazing. 

But although I miss that body I once had, the trade-in to a skirted "mom" swimsuit is something I would never undo.  I love my children more than life itself.  Sure, my abs will never be what they once were, and I have lumps and bumps where I never knew I could.  But it's the body that God gave me and I'm trying each day to love it.  No....not enough to wear a bikini --but enough to not wear a moo-moo.  In public.  Now the sweats....I can't give THOSE up.