Choosing my first musical instruement...for my son!

My son's first musical instrument?

The time has come where I am now deciding if my oldest is ready to play a musical instrument. I, myself, played the viola, flute, and oboe but I am certain that he is not interested in any of those! Not only is the idea of him being ready for this responsibility a challenge but add to that the fact that I will be home-schooling next year...and I feel like the decision will never get made!

We live in a smaller town so there aren't too many places to check. My first thought, of course, is to hit the pawn shop where all of my first instruments came from - BUT- this is a special deal for him so we are looking for something he will treasure forever (or a week). He has been begging to play the guitar and since I know a bit about string-ed instruments - it sounds good to me! So we went out looking for one and I saw this epiphone dr-100 acoustic guitar at guitar center. It looks to be a pretty sweet instrument and is a GREAT price (probably lower than the pawn shop!).

So it looks like this will be the one! If you have any tips or trick (or advice) please share!

Healthy Cooking Sunday...Healthy Eating Week

 

The layers of my low carb lasagna!

Healthy Sunday Cook-Off!

(and a bottle of wine)

I was enjoying a nice-relaxing Sunday until my twitter feed made me feel pretty darned lazy! I am always seeing such amazing Sunday precooking posts from moms, fitness buffs, and culinary marvels so when my buddy Lindsay over at The Lean Green Bean began posting her Sunday food prep posts...I decided to get up, pour a glass of wine, and start cooking. It makes since to precook because my husband and I have been on an "organic" eating mission and sometimes that does mean a little preparation time. Time hasn't been an issue until last week when our crazy schedule caused us to do a few unnecessary tropical smoothie and Subway dinner trips. This Will NOT happen this week! We are set for at least the first few days of the week!

I made a lot of favorites this week and have attached the recipes...For the new foods, I will link up the recipes as soon as they are typed out! Trust me....These are all SO easy. If they aren't easy....they aren't getting done at my house. I believe in buying ingredients and using them in as many ways possible so you will see the same ingredient a few different ways! It is how we eat healthy "on the cheap"!



 They aren't as pretty in the Containers so I posted some prettier pics of them as well...


But for good measure..here they are in the plastic containers...

Here is this week's menu...in no random order!

Red Pepper & Feta Zucchini Cakes! I LOVE THESE! They are super easy to make and I even eat them for breakfast! They are just like the ones at Ruby Tuesday's only not grilled in tons of butter and made with very little flour! Here is the recipe

 http://fitfrugalrecipes.blogspot.com/2013/02/healthy-homemade-zucchini-cake-recipe.html





Quinoa- I L-O-V-E Quinoa and it is a great tool for any dieter. It is certainly a superfood and is so versatile that it can be eaten for breakfast with some fruit and can be jazzed up for dinner with a little extra seasoning. PLUS...I needed it for the nuggets and the blackbean burgers. Quinoa reheats very well in the microwave or you can eat them up in the skillet to bring out a crisp - nutty flavor!
 
Low Carb Zucchini& Eggplant Lasagna -I am not really on a low carb diet anymore BUT any chance to eliminate a carb loaded meal is welcomed AND I was making zucchini cakes anyway so I might as well make something else!

The recipe is coming shorty BUT you just slice the zucchini and eggplant very thinly and use that in place of noodles. Layer with some cheese, spinach, tomato sauce, and veggies  of your choosing! You an even add some meat if you want to.:)

 

 

Spicy Black Bean Burgers - These are super tasty and full of protein! Black beans, quinoa, jalapenos, onions, and spices! Only a few minutes in the food processor and into the skillet! Can't go wrong with those ingredients!

Vegetarian "Chicken" Nuggets! - I recently began making these and my family just can not get enough of them! There are only a few ingredients and they take about 5 minutes to blend together in a food processor or blender. The main ingredient of these are chickpeas which are loaded with fiber and soooo good for you!Toss them in your favorite sauce and you will feel like you are in a restaurant!

Faux Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Since you are already using chickpeas....try these
Spicy Toasted Chickpea snack recipe
5 minute homemade hummus

Whole Wheat Jalapeno Cheddar Buns! You just never know what you are buying when you purchase bread at the grocery store SO....I make my own. This week I made some awesome whole wheat buns topped with jalapenos and cheddar.I topped them instead of putting the spicy stuff inside so I could leave some plain for the kids! Total YUM!

Whole Wheat Honey Bread- Yep! Sweetened with only honey and made purely from wheat flour.

Homemade Whole Wheat Tortillas -These are great to have around! We made tacos, use them for sandwiched, use them for mini-pizzas, etc! Only 5 ingredients! Homemade Tortilla Recipe

So...That's it! That is what we are eating this week at home. My kids are pretty much eating what we eat except for the spicy foods.

Check out Lindsay's easy plans for precooking at her Blog The Lean Green Bean!

Please share any tips and tricks you may have on how to easily eat healthily all week long!

5 Ways for a Superbusy Mom to Sneak in a Workout...

5 Ways for A Super Busy Mom to Sneak in a Workout!!!

Let's face the truth...sometimes it is hard for a mommy to sneak away to the gym. There is always a meal  to be made, a project to be completed, or cleaning to be done. No fear mommies (and daddies too) you live in a gym and can easily find some workout moves that may not replace the gym but they will help you feel less guilty and tighten and tone some areas!


1. Wear Heels..EVERYDAY. - Wearing heels will keep your calves in a permanently flexed position and will certainly help to tighten and tone your legs. So take out the trash, clean the tub, chase kids, and cook dinner in a great pair of stilettos. Before you laugh....there are actually starlets who swear this has toned their legs and booty and their are even workout classes built around wearing heels for added toning benefits!


2. "You Want What?" Squats - How many times a day do your children come to you asking for drinks, sacks, baths, clothes, etc? Starting NOW....as soon as your kid asks for something....drop into a squat...start counting...(if your kids are like mine...count to 5) "Mom?......Mom?......Mom?.....Mom?.....Mom?" then stand.  Now Mom says.."What did you say" and repeat. One of two things will happen: 1) your child will give up and walk away or 2) you will get a solid 5 squats in! BONUS: if you are wearing the heels...you will see results asap!

3. Bathroom Floor Scrubbin' Donkey Kicks - Ditch the mop and scrub your bathroom floor by hand. As you scrub the floor, extend your leg as shown in the picture and press your foot up. Your booty will firm and tighten up in NO TIME.  Do 8-10 per leg then switch to the other leg. 

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 4.Vacuum lunges - So you MAY look silly but hey...who doesn't look silly once or twice in the gym, right?!Lunges are a great way to get your booty to firm and lift!These can also be done while mopping and dusting! Hey...you needed to get to that spring cleaning list anyway...right?

5. Canned Goods as Weights -  This one has been around for a long time but is still beneficial. While you are making dinner, you can still be getting a fantastic arm workout. Below are a few illustrations of some simple arm exercises that can be done with canned goods. You cook 3 meals  a day so sneaking in a few reps each time you are trapped in the kitchen should be easy to do!




So....will this make you 10 pounds lighter....probably not. While these were meant for fun,  they will begin to tighten and tone some trouble spots while you are handling tasks you would be doing anyway! Now, there is no excuse for why we didn't get our workout in or that we didn't have the right tools to do it at home.  Toss in a great half hour of cardio with a brisk walk around the block or a soccer game with the kids in the yard and you will be squeezing in your workout and family time all at once!

If you have any "quick mommy workout" tips...Share!

Linked up to http://www.actuallymummy.co.uk/2013/04/16/letters-from-bedtime-bear/ 

5 All Natural Remedies for Teething Babies!

5 Natural Teething Remedies

From a mommy of 5!

It seems like after you give birth to a child you are open to everyone's advice. You have advice coming from grandparents, aunts, friends, and even people at the grocery store will offer up opinions! It also seems that no two people advise the same things. You will get both ends of the spectrum from the old wives tales to the advice to simply load your child up with over the counter children's pain relievers because "sleep cures everything". I was bound and determined to ignore everyone, politely decline their comments, and make decisions for myself. When it came to teething I tried many different things and here is my list of the ones I liked the best.

I must preface this list by telling you that I am not a "hippie" nor am I against modern medicine. These are what truly worked the best for my teething children. Each of the 5 did favor the natural and homeopathic remedies to the pain relieving gels sold in stores, however, I recommend that you try whatever you feel the most comfortable with first then move on if it is ineffective. Most of the remedies below do not require a trip to the health food store! They are available at your local pharmacy, grocery store, or you can order them online..If you are already at the health food store..it never hurts to check out their selection of homeopathic pain relievers for children!



1. All Natural Teething Tablets & gels (my brand is made by Hyland's)  - To my children..the miracle tablets. These precious little tablets dissolve quickly in your baby's mouth. There is a gentle warning on the back to not be concerned if your child is suddenly sleeping as the pain is relieved. Note that these did not make any of my kids "drowsy". My children did nap but awoke happy and fully alert! See the website for detailed information.

2. Pure vanilla extract - Yes, this is the PURE vanilla not imitation. This worked for a "quick-fix". I believe that it is because the small amount of alcohol in it that provides a tingle and soothing sensation to the gums. Simply rub a little pure vanilla extract on the baby's gums and a few seconds later...no crying! .Vanilla is known for its soothing effects and has even been used to cure stomach distress so it can play double duty!! A definite must have in the medicine cabinet. (I have seen recommendations of almond extract working as well...I was concerned with nuts before 1 year of age so I skipped it but if you are clear for nuts..I hear this works too!)

3. Frozen Washcloths - It's as easy as it looks. Wet a portion of a washcloth and set it in your freezer. Give it to your baby and they will do what comes naturally. The frozen area will temporarily numb the baby's gums and the pain will be relieved. I have also heard that you can soak this first in chamomile tea for an additional boost of relaxation to the baby (check for allergies!).

4. Cold Applesauce - works the same as the frozen washcloths. The cold food temporarily numbs the gums and the act of eating distracts them from the pain. Not a long term fix but certainly enjoyable for the baby!

5. Clove Paste (homemade) - This suggestion came from a friend.... I haven't tried it BUT she swears by it. Mix a small amount of ground cloves and butter together and place into the fridge. Just rub on baby's gums whenever needed. She said that the more cloves you use...the longer it works! You can also use clove oil from a dropper and rub a small amount directly on the gums. Again, you may want to consult a pediatrician on this one.

You can scour the web and find many different suggestions like:
There is talk of using natural licorice root (not the candy) to soothe the gums. NOTE: There was a disclaimer on one site that also added that it worked to relieve constipation and has other various digestion related uses. I felt it best not to try this as I was changing enough diapers.

People will also suggest frozen fruits and vegetables but I was leery of choking hazards so I did skip these until they were much older.

There are recipes for homemade teething gels and necklaces made using allspice, lavender, and other various herbs that I hear great things about but..again, I have 5 kids and worked from home so making homemade teething necklaces just wasn't in the cards for me.

No matter what method you choose do what feels right to you as a parent. You will have so many decisions to make in their lifetime and teething pain relievers will certainly be one of the small ones. Do your research, ask around, but try them out and do what is best. Before trying any "off the wall" methods please consult your child's pediatrician.

baby #5 is teething as we speak and not taking it well at all! If you have other suggestions...PLEASE SHARE...I will link up your recipes!

Add THIS to your water to get THAT!

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN IMPROVE THE FLAVOR OF WATER AND BOOST ITS BENEFITS?!? 

We all have been told time and time again how important it is to drink water. Water offers tons of benefits to your body and is necessary for it to function at peak capacity but for some of us...water is boring, tasteless, and lacks the fizz of our favorite diet cola (yes, I am talking to myself here)...BUT WE NEED TO DRINK IT!

 Why do our bodies need water?

• Brain Power - yep, water can make you smarter! Since your brain is made up mostly of water, keeping your water tanks full will allow you to stay more alert and aware. Without enough water, your brain cannot function well which can lead to headaches and migraines.
• Look Younger - Your entire body is made up of water, including your skin! Drinking plenty of water will keep these cells full and plump which can help reduce the appearance and depth of wrinkles!
• Weight Loss - Water assists in digestion and boosts your metabolism. Water also regulates your body temperature so you are able to have a more productive workout!
• Health Benefits - Drinking lots of water helps to fight against flu and things like kidney stones and heart attacks. Add lemon to your water and it will help fight respiratory disease, intestinal problems, rheumatism and arthritis.
• Mood Enhancer and Energy Booster - Water helps to flush toxins out of your body. Without enough water, you heart has to work harder to get the oxygenated cells to the rest of your body. This tires out your body which means you are a bit exhausted too! Giving your body enough water will allow it to run at peak function - so it will be happy and it should share the love!

The GREAT NEWS is that simply adding pieces of fruits and veggies can make your simple water a detoxification drink, an antioxident booster, an energy recharge, or skin clarifier!

Here are 10 things you an Add to your Water to Enhance the Flavor and the Power of H2O!

1. Lemon and Lime! - Lemons and limes are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants adding them to a warm glass of water can promote better digestion and relieve common symptoms of digestive condition.

2. Cucumber - Quit putting the cucumbers on your eyes..get it into your water! There are even diets built around the cucumber/water fad - check out the Sassy water diet or the Flat Belly Diet if you don't believe me! Cucumber offers benefits for your connective tissues, provides vitamin c, and gives you a boost of potassium!

3. Mint - Adding a few sprigs of fresh mint will make our water taste great and may lift your spirits! In tests, peppermint had the highest amount of antioxidants and mood lifting qualities out of all the mints studied. It is also said that it may help with depression as well!

4. Berries -  Some health benefits of Blueberry are that it is high in antioxidants, can lower cholesterol, and is said to Improves memory and eyesight as well as slow aging! Strawberries can be a good source of vitamin C, folate, potassium, iodine and manganese

5. Peaches - Want glowing skin? Toss slices of fresh peaches into your water! Peaches can make your skin look healthy and also add color to the complexion.

6. Ginger - This may be better as a hot drink but fresh ginger can add tons of oomph to your glass of H2O! The root is said to help with a long list of ailments including things like cramps, inflammation, fevers, libido, morning sickness, colds, and digestion. Grab one next time you are at the grocery and cut off a few thin slices and toss them into your drink!

7. Cayenne Pepper - This habit has been made popular by the diets the "Master Cleanse" and the "Lemonade Diet". Cayenne pepper is known to improve blood circulation as well as detoxify your system. The thought is that the spicy pepper raises your bodies internal "heat" and causes you system to eliminate toxins through sweat.

8. Honey - Not only will honey add some sweetness to your water but it is said to aid in weight loss by helping to digest the fat stored in the body. It also gives you an instant boost of sustainable energy! It also is said to kill bacteria, viruses and fungus with naturally occurring phytochemicals AND can reduce muscle soreness!

9. Orange Peel- WOW - it sounds like adding orange peel to your water a pack TONS of great things into 8 ounces of water! Orange peel is FANTASTIC for your skin! It can help cleanse the skin and open the pores, remove darkening of the skin due to sun exposure, fight acne, kill skin infections, make your complexion BRIGHT and GLOWING, can reduce the signs of wrinkles, etc, etc, etc. It is also supposed to be good for motion sickness, tooth ailments, and stomach issues.




10. Lavender - adding lavender flowers to water can help relax and calm your body. The same flower scented water can be sprayed on your face as a skin toner. A glass of hot lavender water before bed should help you slip into a deep sleep and help you stay asleep longer!

While there are tons of other things you can add to water..this was just a list of 10! I will soon be posting some awesome detox drink recipes and will link them back to this article. In the meantime...play with your fruit and your water! Cucumber, mint, and strawberries make a fantastic drink! Not only will you drink more but you will improve your overall health in more ways than one!

 

How safe is your water at home??

 

10 All Natural Energy BOOSTS!

10 All Natural Energy Boosts!

They aren't going to run themselves!

This morning I woke up DRAINED. I rarely have this feeling (especially since switching to an all organic/healthier eating plan) so I can't explain to you how much I hate it. I have sworn off most processed foods and a high caloric energy drink is not on my horizon. Sure...I could gobble up some sugar or pop an energy pill but then I will be back to rock bottom in a few hours. So...what are you to do when you are looking for some natural ways to boost your energy? Here are 10 things that can get you energized in no time. I am doing them all today...In no particular order!

1. Bananas - Grab a banana!!! Bananas are packed with potassium, an electrolyte that helps maintain regular nerve and muscle function. Your body doesn’t store potassium for very long so your levels can drop during times of stress or during strenuous exercise. Eating a banana will get the levels back where they should be in no time!

2. Berries - One cup of raspberries or blackberries has 8 grams of fiber. Foods containing high amounts of fiber release their sugars into your bloodstream more slowly so your energy will be sustained. No peaks and valleys! I mean c'mon...did you need a reason other than that they taste good?

3. Legumes & Beans - These are great for energy based on their protein, carbohydrate, and fiber content. The fiber keeps blood sugar and energy levels stable while the protein will slowly release the complex carbohydrates. It also helps that beans are typically not processed or refined. They are what they are!

My favorite is edamame - A cup has 17 g protein, 8 g fiber and 15 g slow-digesting carbs. Snacking on these guys is good for you and fun for kids!

4. Water - I know, I know...enough with the water....but it sounds like this stuff is good for everything! Among other things, water helps your body with vitamin and mineral absorption. Being dehydrated can cause your body to not be as effective as it should be during absorption which can lead to a lack of energy. So drink up!
For 5 Ways to get your kids (and me) to drink more water..click here!

5. Almonds - Often called a "superfood". Nuts contain CoQ10 which is a nutrient that helps our cells produce energy. The Omega 3's and 6's help deliver energy to our muscles and organs. The protein found in nuts will also provide a great source of long term energy. 

6. Chocolate - No...I don't mean in the snickers variety (Boo)! Grab a small amount of dark chocolate which is high in carbs and has a lower sugar content than the sweeter varieties. Chocolate also contains things like magnesium which has a known relaxing effect as well as fights stress and phenylethylamin which has a anti-depressant quality.

7. Carbohydrates - If anyone else has been on a low carb diet, you may know how it feels to deprive your body of carbs. The first day is okay, the second a bit better but day 3 is when my body goes boom. Once my body gets used to looking for other energy sources..I am fine but that first piece of bread sends me up like a rocket!  Just like a runner or athlete carb loads...so should you when you need an energy boost! Maybe not to the extreme of an athlete but carbohydrates are your bodies main source of energy.  Go for healthier options like oatmeal and whole grain options.

8. Sunshine - Sunlight is the best and only natural source of vitamin D. While the benefits of Vitamin D on energy levels are up and down across the medical community...Sunlight is effective against SAD, a seasonal disorder often known as the "winter blues".  Scientists are also beginning to reveal the positive effects that sunlight has on our brains, sleep cycles, and wake cycles. I do have to admit...10 minutes in a tanning bed lifts my spirits! Its like a dose of happy for me!

9. Green Tea - It has several different components that allow it to affect energy including vitamins, polyphenols, and caffeine. While these are found in all teas...green tea has a slightly higher content than the others.  With the added benefits green tea offers when dieting...I say WHY NOT!

10. Greek Yogurt - Since it's soft, your body processes yogurt more quickly than a solid food...this means quick energy. The energy effects of yogurt are also long-lasting, thanks to a good ratio of protein to carbohydrates. Protein stays in the stomach longer than carbohydrates, which translates into a steady source of energy. Greek yogurt has double the protein of traditional yogurts and usually a lower sugar content (check the labels)!

So it looks like I should start my day with a yogurt parfait: yogurt topped with fresh berries, almonds, oats, and slivers of dark chocolate and a glass of green tea followed by a jug of water! Now if I could only get the sunshine to happen...I would really be energized.

I  noticed that my new eating is probably why I haven't been energy drained in some time. I am focused on whole foods and eat more yogurt, fruits, and nuts than ever before. I also have been religiously drinking water...which is a HUGE thing for me!  Sometimes you don't realize the benefits of something until they aren't there and its a huge wakeup call and testament to what is working. I can also attest to the way my children have reacted the "new foods". I was worried that they would be a little sluggish without the extra sugars. NO WAY! They have been loaded with energy and bouncing off the walls!

What do you do when looking for a quick energy fix?

What's Your Fitness Jam?

No matter what the mood...there was always music in her head!

What's your fitness theme "song"? 

Does anyone remember the television series "Ally McBeal" ?  It starred quirky Calista Flockhart as a lawyer with some rather odd tendencies. One that I always admired was her "theme song". Ally's therapist suggested that she pick a theme song to help her tackle challenges.  When ever Ally needed inspiration, was down, feeling sexy, or seemingly whenever she walked down the street...she heard Al Green and instantly, she was at peace and ready to conquer the world. Now....I am clearly showing my age by revisiting a series canceled years ago but somehow Ally's feel good jam came into my mind while I was at the gym. First because I also show my age based on my music selection and second because I realized that certain songs also made me move faster, push trough more treadmill time, and even made me feel sexy (while dripping in sweat...if that's possible). I even had myself an Ally McBeal moment when I was inspired by my music to do "the wobble". That seems totally okay, right? Well it does until you hear that I was on the treadmill at the time! Remember the slogan from your childhood toys..."weebles wobble but they don't fall down"? Well this weeble wobbled and did fall down! "The Wobble" will now be removed from my playlist!

I am a bit embarrassed to reveal the total content of my playlist because I am in my 30's and must not know it nor the year in which we live..but hey, they are my theme songs right?! Some of you may find solace in inspirational Christian tunes, others rock and roll, but me....I am an old school hip hop girl.

My stair workout!

Tonight's top 5 workout favorites:
1) Jumpin' Jumpin' - Destiny's Child
2) Poison - Bel Biv Devoe
3) Ain't to Proud to Beg - TLC
4) Shoop - Salt n' Pepa
5) No Diggity - Blackstreet
6) Rump Shaker - Wrex n' Effect (just for a bonus)

This brings me to my point and question... What song makes you move...makes you happy...or makes you inspired? If you don't have one..I encourage you to dig through some old tracks and notice your change in mood or outlook. Everyone should have a theme song! What is yours? I would love to add to my playlist!!

I can't wait to see and hear your songs!