The Blueberries are Ripe!

So many more to pick. And there are still green ones on the bushes...

No Help from the Girl Scouts

The cookies arrived today.

I have to ask...

What are they thinking selling cookies around Halloween? I think my scale will be "broken" for the next 2 months.

What's Making Me Smile Today

Mmmmmm. Yummy.
(Sparkling Pomegranate specifically)

Do You Have Dinner Plans?

The last couple months my dinner plans have not been coming together as I hoped.

This past winter I instituted a new policy stating that each individual in the house had to pick one meal for the following week. I would shop for all the ingredients and make the dishes when time, schedules and my mood dictated. If for some reason your meal was bumped, I made it the following week. If you wanted to choose the same meal every week. Fine. The only rule was you could not pick something someone else had already chosen. (i.e. pizza 4 nights)

The plan worked very well for many months. And then Spring sports hit and it was a frozen food free-for-all.

Now it's time to settle back down and eat real food once again. Except now no one knows what they want. I hate, hate, HATE picking meals every week. Every day of every week. Every month of every year. Only to be told they hate what I've made. Is it not enough I must COOK all the meals? Shop for all the meals? I have to plan the meals too? I suppose it wouldn't be so bad if the younger people in house the didn't complain so much - but they do.

Anyway, last week I read Anne Glamore's recipes. Her fabulous, fabulous recipes. Recipes that contained foods my children might actually eat without gagging. Boy tested and approved meals. YAY Anne!

So far I have made 3 of the 4 recipes. Tonight will be #4. And although I forgot to take photos of the finished dishes, I shall still report the results.

Meal #1:
Bowties with Peas and Prosciutto - Except I made it with Penne because that's what I had on hand.
After all of the children spend most of meal DYING because, "What IS that? Are those peas? I HATE peas!" They ate it. There may have been a bit of Ranch dressing involved at the end for the piles of peas left at the bottom of the bowls - but all-in-all SUCCESS! The children also suggested I make it with broccoli next time. The husband prefers peas but suggested bowties would have been better. Whatever. They ate it.

Meal #2:
Bulgogi with Jasmine Rice and Applesauce
HUGE SUCCESS! Not a speck of rice left. They ate all 2 lbs of beef, 6 cups of rice and were saddened when it was gone. My youngest wants to learn how to make it himself. Now if someone could just tell me how to pronounce it.

Meal #3
Chicken Piccata Pasta Toss
Another success. Not quite as huge as the Bulgogi but they all ate it. It was a bit bland for me. I may have to add something next time but the kids did like it.

Tonight: Pork Lo Mein

So Anne, A HUGE thank you! Some new dinners to toss into the rotation.

Hott!

Have you ever noticed how hott roofers are? And I do mean hott with 2 t's. Seriously. I've always gone for the smart guys. The funny, smart guys. But suddenly I'm realizing how insanely attractive a man who physically labors is. Men who can fix my leaking roof. Hott!

God! How did I not realize this before?

Obviously I'm an idiot.

In other news, DST is kicking my ass. And now with the weather acting all manic depressive I seem to be fighting yet another sinus thing. I do not like the fighting of sinus things. On the one hand, the children had the day off of school last week, Tuesday to be exact, because of the extreme, bitter -25 with windchill cold. Yesterday, also a Tuesday, it was 60 degrees. This turn of events makes me very happy even while causing my sinuses to plot my death. Unfortunately, as I mentioned the Mother Nature is feeling very unstable and while she is currently feeling manic in a mere 2 days time she is expected to plunge back into her depression.

I'm hoping the roofers manage to finish the job before the depressed mother returns as I like the stripping of clothing that the sudden heat wave has inspired. That and I have great hopes that none of them plunge to their deaths when the cold, ice and winds return. Also, a finished roof would make me greatly happy. Look! A roof that doesn't leak! Is it even possible?

To Make Your Christmas Merrier

I mentioned I've been drinking? Up until now it's been mostly Mike's Hard Limes. Tomorrow I'm trying something different.

While tracking Santa try this drink:

What I call a Peppermint Patty Martini

1 oz. Svedka Vodka (new, I'm trying it for the first time)
1/2 oz. Rumplemintz
1/2 oz. Creme de Cacao (some random brand Boston something-or-other - all they had at the store)

Every damn recipe I googled gave me different amounts and ingredients. I'm working with what I have on hand (and what I picked up tonight at the packy). Will have to taste test. I'll give you an update tomorrow and let you know my preferred amounts.

Edited to add:
The Boston Somthing-or-other brand was a no go. Returned for Dekuyper's clear Creme de Cacao.

New recipe that has been tried is:
1 oz. vodka
1 oz. Rumplemintz (who the hell can do 1/2 ounce - why even bother)
2 oz. Dekuyper's Creme de Cacao

Mmmmm... tasty.

Odd...

I must say I'm disappointed that no one asked about the post from Friday. Ya'll asked about the kilts - which HELLO!, kilts are HOTT! Yes, 2 t's HOTT - but not DKM or the worm farm photo shoot or even wooden axes. Here I thought I was being all mysterious but apparently not.

Also, again - why is the kilt thing so mysterious? Have you seen a guy in a kilt? I'm guessing not if you have to ask. Also, if said guy is playing the bagpipes? Well, I really can't say more. It would be inappropriate.

My PSA

All men should wear kilts with combat boots.

Thank you, that is all.

Crack for a Sweet-tooth

A cross between maple syrup and maple sugar candy.

Sanity Is Starting to Return

Things seem a bit settled in the MoMMY household. The crisis seems to have passed although there are still unavoidable discussions to be had. Looking back I can see hormones, hypogycemia, parent/child conflict, insecurity, exhaustion, power struggles and sibling stuff all having a roll in last night's escapades. So yah, a lot of stuff coming to the boiling point all at once and exploding.

Now is the calm after the storm. And as much as I wish it was over I'm sure there will be ripples for some time. The first ripple being that I ate my body weight in Parmesan Basil Wheat Thins. (They are NEW! and YUMMY! and so new I can not find any mention that they exist on the internet!) So now we are all reminded: WE MUST. NOT. ANGER. THE PARENTING GODS. ANY. MORE.

In other news, I have an appointment next Tuesday with the HR dept. at the hospital where I have been hoping to be employed. So YAY! I think it may actually happen. Me. A job. A chance at a bit of sanity. Because now that the kids are in school all day? I am going out of my friggin MIND. Yes, there are a million things I could and should be doing. But I hate all those things so I don't do them anyway. Now at least I'll have less guilt about not doing them.

Assuming nothing goes wrong.

And I get the job.

I yet other news, Amanda Sue requested the delicious recipe from the other night. It was for Smoky-Spicy Black Bean Quesadillas from Vegetarian Times online. And no, we aren't vegetarians but I do enjoy a good meatless dish now and again.

And now I must cook for children who will refuse to eat and anger me.

The Good and The Bad

The good news is the bathrooms are no longer hazardous. I actually did a little cleaning yesterday.

The bad news is I didn't walk. Well, actually, we did walk to Tyler's chorus concert and back. BUT, walking with 4 kids on the way to an event where you will see people you know and have to sit all packed together in an auditorium? Is not that much of a workout. Besides, I think the stop for ice cream on the way home negated any and all good the walk did. Think there is anyway a 1 mile (round trip) walk can make up for 1 good sized scoop of ice cream? If you were wearing heels? I will say my feet hurt when I got home. Unfortunately, I don't think pain burns calories.

The good news is I'm hoping to walk today. With the dog and no children.

The bad news is there will be no walk to baseball tonight because the game I'm attending is in another town. The drive alone takes 15 minutes. On country roads. I'm thinking it will be over 15 miles. I know I can't walk that far and who has the time?

The good news is I tried a new recipe for dinner that I found on the web yesterday. It went over fairly well. Jeff and I loved it. Most of the kids ate it and it was pretty healthy and easy to make.

The bad news is it was so good I ate 2 servings. (I only had enough points left for 1 - this was BEFORE the ice cream) Oh, and it had cheese in it. Fat, fat, fat. But mmmmm, yummy.

The good news is this boring post is over.

The bad news is I will probably write again tomorrow.

Weight-loss Story #4

Emabrassing weight-loss secrets from MoMMY. (I've lost 9 lbs. so far! YAY! for 9 lbs. less. The number on the scale? Still scary.)

When your looking for some volume (which I often am) or you have an issue stopping the eating (me, me, me):

• 1 bag 98% fat-free microwave popcorn (4 pts.)
• homemade salsa (0 pts.)
• 1 lg. tomato - diced
• 2 green onions - diced
• cilantro
• salt
• couple splashes lime juice

You will probably have to eat it with a spoon. Emabrrassing and messy? Yes. Tasty and fulfilling the need to do a little binge-type eating? You bet!

You probably won't be able to finish it. I can. But, I'm obviously a pig and could eat a small country. You will be FULL. And sometimes? You just want to be full.

Did We Really Want to Know?

Today on the news I saw a horrifying story. When I went to research it on Google I found many more items on this topic. I may be the last to hear about it. But! If not, I feel I should let you know what is going on.

The topic? The Cochineal Beetle. Also known as Carmine. Also known as a red dye that is in many foods we eat.

Hmmmm... not so hungry anymore.

Yes, it's true. It's in yogurt, juice and who knows what else. Will I be checking my groceries from now on? Yes. You bet. Until of course, I forget all about it and stop.

The big hoopla this week is that the FDA is considering making companies put the fact that it is BUG. JUICE. on their labels.

Yes, crushed up bugs are in our food. Ewww. That is one of those things I'd prefer to just not know. TMI anyone?

Into the Frying Pan... or Not

So my resolution to swear more is not going well in real life. But! It is going well in my blog life. I've decided to settle for that since the children still are too young to go around sounding like sailors.

In other resolution news...

I've added one other resolution. Yes, I know I said I wouldn't do the resolution thing but it is FUN and ENTERTAINING for me. So, leave me alone about the whole 'no resolutions' thing.

Drum roll please...

My new resolution is frying our food.

Yes, it is. At a time where most people are resolving to eat healthier, I've decided to try frying our food.

Now to be honest I've never fried anything before.

Until last night.

And I know you are wondering why I should try such a thing - well, Rachael Ray told me to.

Really.

I got her new cookbook for Hanukkah and I've been trying recipes with wild abandon.

And the truth? Although not the best for losing weight, the kids are eating them. To be fair, I'm picking and choosing dishes I think have a decent chance of being eaten.

And so far? We are 4 for 4. At least 2 of the children like each one. The other 2 at least pick at it. And that my friends makes a winner.

And as for frying? I hate it. It is messy and gross and not better enough for me to forgo baking the chicken. I really don't know how the people in the south have done this for so long. All the oil! And grease! And splatters! And have I mentioned the oil?

And the cleanup? Made me not want to eat anything fried ever again. The oiliness. Eww! (Although... as a weight loss component, hmmm... maybe it works after all.)

So maybe not so much a new resolution. More of a vow to cut that shit out and just say 'NO' to frying.

Putting out a Call...

I am putting out a call for recipes. Summer recipes to be more precise. I have many warm, yummy, comforting winter recipes but no non-cook summer recipes.

So? Got any for me? I love a good salad but alas - the kids? Not so much. Also, they hate any such thing as potato salad or macaroni salad or pasta salad. So, if you have any kid friendly summer-y foods... please post them in the comments.

I think if we eat sandwiches ONE. MORE. TIME. I may have a rebellion on my hands. So COMMENT with your favorite summer dish! And Thank you!

Question?

Does milk chocolate count as a serving of dairy?

Easter Candy

I'm still up to my armpits in parent/teacher conferences and book fairs and preparing for Easter. And now, I said NOW, the school has thrown in two 1/2 days and two days off of school. So I have loads to do and I must do it while children fight and make messes and demand my attention.

The good news? I bought the candy during the short time everyone was at school today. Lots and lots of candy.

You may all point and laugh and call me names now. Do it! I have put back on two of the five pounds I lost. After today I am expecting to weigh more than when I started. Why you ask? Why? My all-time favorite candy is now residing in my kitchen. I have already eaten enough of it to make me ill. I'm sure I'll be feeling better later though.

What is this mystery candy you ask? The kind you can only get at Easter? ...Peeps? Who said that? NO! Ewww! I HATE Peeps. ...Cadbury Eggs? Who are you people? Eww again!

Robins Eggs. Full size. Made by Hershey. Only. Mmmmmm...

**WARNING**

Do NOT buy any substitutes. The other day I could not find any 'real' Robins Eggs and I bought, **gasp**, the horror, Malted Eggs by Necco. NEVER DO THIS. They are repulsive. The candy coating? Like some kind of frosting. The first one I ate made me gag. A few minutes later I thought maybe it was only because it wasn't what I was expecting. A bit like drinking oj when you're expecting milk. So I tried another. I repeat, NEVER DO THIS. The frostingish coating is hiding a spongy malt center. Not hard like it should be. No hard, THIN candy coating. REPULSIVE. So bad I gave them all to the children after they sat in my car for THREE DAYS and I didn't eat a single one. They were THAT BAD. Candy within reach and I didn't eat it. And in the car no less which we all know means it doesn't count. (OBSCURE RULE: Any food eaten while driving does not count. It is like it never happened. Even better if wrappers are hidden or disposed of immediately.)

Deception

Oh Splenda, I thought you were my friend.

You were the ultimate alternative to your evil twin, Sugar.

You made my Fruit2O oh so yummy. You sweetened my coffee without that chemical aftertaste. You helped my cookies taste so yummy. Banana bread, fruit, you sweetened it all. You were my savior on my quest for weight loss. You were the 'natural' solution.

And then...

I discovered your true colors. I discovered YOU were the reason my complexion turned into a teenage nightmare. A complexion like none I had ever experienced.

I gave up coffee in my quest to discover the source. COFFEE! The nectar of the Gods. But after an agonizing month I learned it was YOU that caused the outbreaks. I found that one product with you in it will result in an outbreak before the day is done. It is YOUR fault I wanted to hide my face from the world for the last year and a half. Yes, it took that long - that much horror - to reveal your true nature.

So now we all know that YOU, Splenda, are the evil twin. Not your sister sugar. I now embrace your sister like never before. And I shun you and all your yummy products.

So beware good public of the one they call Splenda. It may be the cause of all that pains you.

Happy New Year!

I wish I had read about the superstition of whatever you are doing on New Year's Day is what you'll be doing all year long. No blogging, no computer, no writing, not even spending much time with the kids. So you ask, what did I do?

Let's see... cleaning, spending time with friends, grocery shopping (surprising, I know - HA!) So not all bad. I'd like to say I don't want to spend the year cleaning but since that is one of my goals, keeping up with the house, I suppose it's not such a bad thing. Oh, there was one other thing I did on New Year's Day. Twice actually. That's something good to look forward to.

On another note, tomorrow the kids go back to school. Hooray for school! No time to blog though. My to-do list is very long. This is the week I play catch up...

...and I really should make some banana bread. The bananas are ready and if I don't I'll have to throw them all away. Anyone want some? I figure I have enough bananas to make 6 loaves of bread. What am I going to do with SIX loaves of banana bread? (Especially since I shouldn't eat it. It's not exactly a diet food and I have no concept of moderation.)

Observation

I have decided that some men should be required to wear riding pants & riding boots at all times.

NOTE: I said SOME. I will be happy to make the decisions regarding this.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Thank you to the 2 older gentlemen crossing the street while I was on my way to nursery school. I never realized how flattering riding outfits could be - apparently age has nothing to do with it but a good butt does.