My parents and I took Ivy to a local fountain park for some more water fun!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Summer Fun
Ryan and I took Ivy swimming for the first time a week ago. Her floaty was/is HUGE. She was okay with everything at first and then figured out that this was meant to be fun and ended up splashing Daddy really good!
My parents and I took Ivy to a local fountain park for some more water fun!
My parents and I took Ivy to a local fountain park for some more water fun!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Being the Mother of a Girl
This is totally something I would have loved as a little girl - DIY Play Kitchens. Will Ivy be a girly-girl? Or will she be a tomboy?
One thing I thought of that didn't occur to me until this week is hair. I've never been one to do my own hair. I never had girlfriends to do their hair. I never was interested in kids enough (as a younger adult or older teen) to mess with little girls hair. There are things that I know how to do, but executing them? Not so much. Poor Ivy is going to have some weird hair. I'm pretty sure it's going to be wavy. She has a swirl and a huge cow-lick just like me. And you can't do anything to it unless it's wet. Oh gosh. Later in her life, I hope she has girlfriends who will show her how to do her own hair and will let her do their hair. Until then, I hope I can do what she wants or likes to an acceptable standard.
See, here's what I wasn't considering at all. I always thought (and completely accepted) that I would have boys. This hair thing never entered my mind.
One thing I thought of that didn't occur to me until this week is hair. I've never been one to do my own hair. I never had girlfriends to do their hair. I never was interested in kids enough (as a younger adult or older teen) to mess with little girls hair. There are things that I know how to do, but executing them? Not so much. Poor Ivy is going to have some weird hair. I'm pretty sure it's going to be wavy. She has a swirl and a huge cow-lick just like me. And you can't do anything to it unless it's wet. Oh gosh. Later in her life, I hope she has girlfriends who will show her how to do her own hair and will let her do their hair. Until then, I hope I can do what she wants or likes to an acceptable standard.
See, here's what I wasn't considering at all. I always thought (and completely accepted) that I would have boys. This hair thing never entered my mind.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Let's Make Baby Food!
Today, I decided to finally document the baby food adventures. I started at 1:30 pm and finished at 2:45 pm. An hour and fifteen minutes... That's a shopping trip. For today's baby food cooking mini-session, apples.
Gather your equipment.
Cutting board, pot, vegetable peeler, knife (use a chef's knife, not a steak knife - this was the only knife I could find... I'm not at home) and apples.
Ryan saw an article that if you're making baby food, there are certain things you buy organic. Apples are one of them. These are fuji apples, a mildly sweet taste.
Grab your vegetable peeler and get to peeling.
(This is my intense work face)
If you're going to be making a lot of your own baby food, you should definitely invest in a good peeler. I used an old one that was completely made of metal. Not fun. This red one has a great handle. Very comfortable.
Don't worry about getting all the peel off at the top and bottom. We'll just cut that away later.
Cut your apples in half.
This is where the chef's knife would come in handy. It was such a pain cutting these large apples with a steak knife. Not made for this job.
Lay the half down and cut into fourths.
Then remove the core with a slight diagonal cut.
Cut the quarters (eighths really) into chunks. Make sure you cut away any questionable areas and leftover skin.
Feel free to taste test (uh, I love apples).
Give them a good rinse and just cover with water.
Boil on high for... oh 10 minutes.
This is the perfect time to clean up what you've used so far. This is a concept that my advanced foods class couldn't quite comprehend even after several time management essays. They lost kitchen privileges.
Ah, look at that perfect boil.
Still a way to go, get one of these out. You can use a food processor or a blender (which is what I use at home). Do you see any specialized equipment here? No. No hand food grinders. No specialized baby food steamers. And later, no special prepared baby food freezing containers.
Test for done-ness. If you insert a fork, does it give? Is it soft? Here, not so much.
I'm furiously texting my mom at this point.
When I cook, I cook by smell. Can I smell the food? Then it's done. I can smell apples in the air! (This is my intense food-sniffing face.)
Apple chunks into the food processor.
Reserve the cooking liquid.
Boiling food releases vitamins into the cooking water and water seeps into the food. Reserving the liquid helps you retain some vitamins. You can add those vitamins back into the food during the processing by adding that water if the food isn't moist enough.
I'm ready. Machine is ready. Are YOU ready?
Here we go!
No more apple chunks.
Looks like applesauce. That's what it should be.
I think it's a bit dry though so I add a little of that reserved water.
Go ahead and taste it. My motto, I won't feed it to Ivy if I won't taste it. I did taste this. I also tasted so I could do this...
Yes, it was cool enough. And yes, she seems to like it.
I pour the applesauce into a more manageable container to better pour with.
And then I pour the sauce into cleaned ice cube trays. Oopsies, I forgot to rotate this picture.
I actually pour as much as I can on one side of the ice cube trays.
And then smooth it all out which pushes excess into the next cup.
Perfect.
Into the freezer it goes!
Once it's frozen, pop the food out of the trays and store in large freezer zip bags.
Clean everything else up and you're good to go!
Okay... I mentioned this in an earlier post... about the green beans being very different from each other. I forgot to rotate this one too. Poop.
Gather your equipment.
Cutting board, pot, vegetable peeler, knife (use a chef's knife, not a steak knife - this was the only knife I could find... I'm not at home) and apples.
Ryan saw an article that if you're making baby food, there are certain things you buy organic. Apples are one of them. These are fuji apples, a mildly sweet taste.
Grab your vegetable peeler and get to peeling.
(This is my intense work face)
If you're going to be making a lot of your own baby food, you should definitely invest in a good peeler. I used an old one that was completely made of metal. Not fun. This red one has a great handle. Very comfortable.
Don't worry about getting all the peel off at the top and bottom. We'll just cut that away later.
Cut your apples in half.
This is where the chef's knife would come in handy. It was such a pain cutting these large apples with a steak knife. Not made for this job.
Lay the half down and cut into fourths.
Then remove the core with a slight diagonal cut.
Cut the quarters (eighths really) into chunks. Make sure you cut away any questionable areas and leftover skin.
Feel free to taste test (uh, I love apples).
Give them a good rinse and just cover with water.
Boil on high for... oh 10 minutes.
This is the perfect time to clean up what you've used so far. This is a concept that my advanced foods class couldn't quite comprehend even after several time management essays. They lost kitchen privileges.
Ah, look at that perfect boil.
Still a way to go, get one of these out. You can use a food processor or a blender (which is what I use at home). Do you see any specialized equipment here? No. No hand food grinders. No specialized baby food steamers. And later, no special prepared baby food freezing containers.
Test for done-ness. If you insert a fork, does it give? Is it soft? Here, not so much.
I'm furiously texting my mom at this point.
When I cook, I cook by smell. Can I smell the food? Then it's done. I can smell apples in the air! (This is my intense food-sniffing face.)
Apple chunks into the food processor.
Reserve the cooking liquid.
Boiling food releases vitamins into the cooking water and water seeps into the food. Reserving the liquid helps you retain some vitamins. You can add those vitamins back into the food during the processing by adding that water if the food isn't moist enough.
I'm ready. Machine is ready. Are YOU ready?
Here we go!
No more apple chunks.
Looks like applesauce. That's what it should be.
I think it's a bit dry though so I add a little of that reserved water.
Go ahead and taste it. My motto, I won't feed it to Ivy if I won't taste it. I did taste this. I also tasted so I could do this...
Yes, it was cool enough. And yes, she seems to like it.
I pour the applesauce into a more manageable container to better pour with.
And then I pour the sauce into cleaned ice cube trays. Oopsies, I forgot to rotate this picture.
I actually pour as much as I can on one side of the ice cube trays.
And then smooth it all out which pushes excess into the next cup.
Perfect.
Into the freezer it goes!
Once it's frozen, pop the food out of the trays and store in large freezer zip bags.
Clean everything else up and you're good to go!
Okay... I mentioned this in an earlier post... about the green beans being very different from each other. I forgot to rotate this one too. Poop.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
In a Quandry
I don't know what's going on. Before we left for The Massive Vacation, Ivy was eating sweet potatoes and carrots really well. We got "down here" and I made more of the same. And she got sick and refused to eat anything besides cereal - which was also a bit of a test. I've finally gotten her back to sweet potatoes. But carrots are still a no go with her for some reason. I started bananas too which she likes. I don't know if I want to try the fresh green beans again. I was planning on making apples for her soon so she can have another taste of something.
Ivy finally learned how to sit up. We had been working on sitting her up on her bottom for a while and she enjoyed sitting with support. I was able to get her to sit up with even less support and she's been really great about it ever since!
Other than this, there's not much else to talk about.
Ivy finally learned how to sit up. We had been working on sitting her up on her bottom for a while and she enjoyed sitting with support. I was able to get her to sit up with even less support and she's been really great about it ever since!
Other than this, there's not much else to talk about.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
On Massive Vacation!
Alrighty! So we didn't get as much done on the Freakout Cleaning Session - but that's okay. I'm neurotic, but I can totally ... just procrastinate! Tuesday I had a dentist appointment. Two fillings. Done in 20 minutes. We headed out of town right after that. The drive didn't seem quite nearly as long as it has felt in the past. I think it has to do with the book on CD the man downloaded and the book I finished reading.
Poor Ivy ended up with an ear infection and quite possibly an upper respiratory infection. This would only happen once we're five hours away from our doctor. Naturally we called and they said don't worry. My baby was lethargic. Not eating. Not acting herself. We called the doc back and got no answer so we went to the ER. We're trying to keep her fever down. She's on antibiotics and has ear drops.
You know, there's something I used to think about when I was younger (like late teens, early 20s). I had the ever present thought that if I were to have kids, people would get on my case or whatever because I look so young. I hadn't thought about this ...thought... in quite some time. And you know, I have never had anyone judge me for my (seeming) age and pregnancy/motherhood. I guess I don't look as young anymore? Or society has really desensitized itself about very young mothers. Here's another thought, I think Ryan is with me 99.9% I'm in public with Ivy (and when I was pregnant). Ooooooorrrrr, I just never saw people talking about me. Anyway, whatever.
Homemade baby food versus the stuff in the grocery store.
Okay, I can totally tell you my sweet potatoes and carrots are a hit. So I decided to move on to something new. Green beans. Not a hit. We tried it a couple of times. And we had to actually buy the jar food because I didn't have time to cook. So... the stuff in the jar was a dull gray green. Not pretty. And then I made my own green beans. Extremely vibrant. So pretty! But still not a hit. Granted, Ivy wasn't feeling well. She didn't even want to eat her sweet potatoes. So after we tried the green beans (fresh and jar) I thought that carrots would be a hit since she eats what I make. I opened the jar and the carrots were RED. Not orange. Red! And they didn't smell like carrots, but very strong and bitter. Not like the sweet smell of carrots we're used to. Of course, she wouldn't eat it. Yeah, she doesn't feel well. Yeah, it's a new flavor. But there's another thing too. I took a look at the ingredients of a jar of sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes, water and ascorbic acid (to preserve color). Uuuuhh... my frozen sweet potatoes are the same color as the day I made them and I didn't add anything but water to them.
And that's where I leave it for tonight.
Poor Ivy ended up with an ear infection and quite possibly an upper respiratory infection. This would only happen once we're five hours away from our doctor. Naturally we called and they said don't worry. My baby was lethargic. Not eating. Not acting herself. We called the doc back and got no answer so we went to the ER. We're trying to keep her fever down. She's on antibiotics and has ear drops.
You know, there's something I used to think about when I was younger (like late teens, early 20s). I had the ever present thought that if I were to have kids, people would get on my case or whatever because I look so young. I hadn't thought about this ...thought... in quite some time. And you know, I have never had anyone judge me for my (seeming) age and pregnancy/motherhood. I guess I don't look as young anymore? Or society has really desensitized itself about very young mothers. Here's another thought, I think Ryan is with me 99.9% I'm in public with Ivy (and when I was pregnant). Ooooooorrrrr, I just never saw people talking about me. Anyway, whatever.
Homemade baby food versus the stuff in the grocery store.
Okay, I can totally tell you my sweet potatoes and carrots are a hit. So I decided to move on to something new. Green beans. Not a hit. We tried it a couple of times. And we had to actually buy the jar food because I didn't have time to cook. So... the stuff in the jar was a dull gray green. Not pretty. And then I made my own green beans. Extremely vibrant. So pretty! But still not a hit. Granted, Ivy wasn't feeling well. She didn't even want to eat her sweet potatoes. So after we tried the green beans (fresh and jar) I thought that carrots would be a hit since she eats what I make. I opened the jar and the carrots were RED. Not orange. Red! And they didn't smell like carrots, but very strong and bitter. Not like the sweet smell of carrots we're used to. Of course, she wouldn't eat it. Yeah, she doesn't feel well. Yeah, it's a new flavor. But there's another thing too. I took a look at the ingredients of a jar of sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes, water and ascorbic acid (to preserve color). Uuuuhh... my frozen sweet potatoes are the same color as the day I made them and I didn't add anything but water to them.
And that's where I leave it for tonight.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Freakout Cleaning Session 1
Let me preface this by letting you in on a big fast stinking pile of obvious. I'm lazy. I don't hide this fact. I also procrastinate to the last minute. This invariably drives my husband in sane because it causes me to become a chaotic, freaktastic, neurotic overload of crazy. But I get stuff done in this way. I like my time used to be spent for me, instead of worrying about all the nit-picky details on the daily. Okay? It's how I function. And because we all know a neurotic overload of crazy (with a side case of OCD) cannot live without a list, I'll throw one in here a little later.
My husband and I are both teachers. We both have the summer off. We spent the last week of school cleaning our classrooms. I had a great deal more to do since they're re-doing my classroom into strict culinary arts and are upgrading on some level. I got it done. Being an elective teacher has it's perks. The last week of school was devoted to the students who failed their state standardized tests for core curriculum tutoring (math, English, science, history). Electives didn't have classes unless they were asked to sub for a core teacher. Apparently no one really dares to ask me to sub. Or they forget about me since my classroom resides in the back end of the school (The Cave). In all technicality, we were scheduled to go to work today unless 1) we took a special training session -which electives didn't do or 2) provided a sick amount of documented overtime. Boy howdy did I provide a sick amount of documented overtime.
Hooray summer! It's finally here! Teachers of the world rejoice!! A two-month-long vacation. Freedom to roam about willy-nilly. And since it's my husband's profession as well, extreme freedom willy-nilly summer style! The seniors graduated last night - I also had a wonderful dream in which I exacted my revenge on students that I didn't care too much for. In my dream they were drinking beer and skipping INTO my classes. They wanted to go sky diving but I took several pairs of scissors to their expensive equipment.
So having summer finally here (and not being too tired as a teacher and new mother) it's time to muther-effing clean this apartment. First because it has been neglected for far too long. Secondly, we'll be going on a Massive Vacation. Weeeeeellllll... We're taking four weeks to spend time with family in our hometown so everyone can see Ivy. We can only do this because Ryan's parents put us up. There's a bed for all of us and everything. We're very fortunate. Anyway, this trip will also include my attendance to a Food Science Teacher Conference in Austin. I love Austin. I'm excited to go. However, it is on my birthday. Not that weekend, not the day before. On. My. BIRTHDAY. I cannot spend my Big THREE-OH with my husband and baby. My birthday will be spent working. UGH! However, my Mommy will be accompanying me to this side trip and I fully intend to get into some form trouble.
So, until this Massive Vacation starts (after I have a dentist appointment) we're deep cleaning the apartment. This started today. Here is my Crazy Assed Freakout Cleaning Session Task List
GARAGE
MASTER BATHROOM
KITCHEN
LIVING ROOM
SMALL BATHROOM
Sadly, this task list does not include the things we need to do in order to get ourselves far far away from here and on our Massive Vacation. I need to come up with another list. Hmmm.
Mini cleaning session
Last load of laundry
Last load of dishes
Last load of garbage
Final purchases
Pack like a banshee
Hope against all hopes we pack everything and don't forget a darn thing
Skedaddle!
Tomorrow there will be a break in cleaning. My BFF's (Lyn) birthday is tomorrow. Haven't seen here since September so we're making a trip to see her. She also just moved into her own apartment so there's celebrating that. The day after (Monday) is my and Ryan's seventh wedding anniversary. So we will likely not be all gung-ho about the cleaning. Tuesday is the dentist appointment. I hope we get everything done so we can leave on Wednesday early in the am.
My husband and I are both teachers. We both have the summer off. We spent the last week of school cleaning our classrooms. I had a great deal more to do since they're re-doing my classroom into strict culinary arts and are upgrading on some level. I got it done. Being an elective teacher has it's perks. The last week of school was devoted to the students who failed their state standardized tests for core curriculum tutoring (math, English, science, history). Electives didn't have classes unless they were asked to sub for a core teacher. Apparently no one really dares to ask me to sub. Or they forget about me since my classroom resides in the back end of the school (The Cave). In all technicality, we were scheduled to go to work today unless 1) we took a special training session -which electives didn't do or 2) provided a sick amount of documented overtime. Boy howdy did I provide a sick amount of documented overtime.
Hooray summer! It's finally here! Teachers of the world rejoice!! A two-month-long vacation. Freedom to roam about willy-nilly. And since it's my husband's profession as well, extreme freedom willy-nilly summer style! The seniors graduated last night - I also had a wonderful dream in which I exacted my revenge on students that I didn't care too much for. In my dream they were drinking beer and skipping INTO my classes. They wanted to go sky diving but I took several pairs of scissors to their expensive equipment.
So having summer finally here (and not being too tired as a teacher and new mother) it's time to muther-effing clean this apartment. First because it has been neglected for far too long. Secondly, we'll be going on a Massive Vacation. Weeeeeellllll... We're taking four weeks to spend time with family in our hometown so everyone can see Ivy. We can only do this because Ryan's parents put us up. There's a bed for all of us and everything. We're very fortunate. Anyway, this trip will also include my attendance to a Food Science Teacher Conference in Austin. I love Austin. I'm excited to go. However, it is on my birthday. Not that weekend, not the day before. On. My. BIRTHDAY. I cannot spend my Big THREE-OH with my husband and baby. My birthday will be spent working. UGH! However, my Mommy will be accompanying me to this side trip and I fully intend to get into some form trouble.
So, until this Massive Vacation starts (after I have a dentist appointment) we're deep cleaning the apartment. This started today. Here is my Crazy Assed Freakout Cleaning Session Task List
GARAGE
- Go through all rooms for items
- Everything for garage sale into garage
Straighten garage- Have garage sale
- Donate leftovers
Dust fanDust all surfaces- Fresh sheets/blankets
- All clothes/shoes put away
- Tidy surfaces
VacuumTrash out
MASTER BATHROOM
Dust all surfacesTidy counterStraighten cupboardsWindex mirrorDisinfectTreat sinksSwizzle toiletTreat shower tiles and tub- New shower curtain
- Straighten closets
Trash outFloor mat to laundry
KITCHEN
- Reorganize cabinets
- Get rid of food
- Clean microwave in & out
- Clean counters
- Disinfect
- Wash any dishes & put all away
- Clean stove and oven door
- Clean dishwasher door
- Clean out freezer and fridge
- Clean outside of fridge
- Sweep
- Mop
- Dust all surfaces
- Put all papers away
- There’s a place for everything…
- Clean table
- Sweep
- Mop
LIVING ROOM
- Treat stains
Dust fanDust all surfaces- There’s a place for everything…
- Tidy surfaces
- Straighten books & dvds
- Clean in and out entertainment center
- Windex glass doors
- Trash out
- Vacuum
SMALL BATHROOM
- Dust surfaces
- Disinfect
- Swizzle toilet
- Floor mats to laundry
- Dirty towels to laundry
- Trash out
- Sweep
- Mop
- Put clothes away
- Straighten book shelf
- Straighten window area
- Change sheets
- Take out diaper garbage
- Trash out
- Fill diaper drawer
- Vacuum
- Treat stains
- Vacuum (one done)
Sadly, this task list does not include the things we need to do in order to get ourselves far far away from here and on our Massive Vacation. I need to come up with another list. Hmmm.
Mini cleaning session
Last load of laundry
Last load of dishes
Last load of garbage
Final purchases
Pack like a banshee
Hope against all hopes we pack everything and don't forget a darn thing
Skedaddle!
Tomorrow there will be a break in cleaning. My BFF's (Lyn) birthday is tomorrow. Haven't seen here since September so we're making a trip to see her. She also just moved into her own apartment so there's celebrating that. The day after (Monday) is my and Ryan's seventh wedding anniversary. So we will likely not be all gung-ho about the cleaning. Tuesday is the dentist appointment. I hope we get everything done so we can leave on Wednesday early in the am.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
On Books and Reading
I really thought I would never be able to read again. After having Ivy, I thought I would never have the time to pick up another book. I have however, read 4 books since March. I am able to read a chapter or two every night. Thank goodness to Ivy learning to sleep all night! Phew!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Sixth Month Check-up
The kiddo had her six month checkup today. Vaccines oh boy. She weighs 14.9 pounds and is 26.5 inches. She did very well with the shots. She only cried for a little bit then was over it. Then I had an asthma checkup. And then I got a shot (steroids).
Update on the baby food. The stuff I brought home was pretty old so I went ahead and made some fresh batches. We started with sweet potatoes and Ivy's done well with that. It's a time and energy consuming process but I do enjoy it. And now that school is basically out now, I'll have more time to do this.
Hello angry face: I purchased a piece of luggage from Target (granted) and I finally took a closer look today and saw there are two spots in which stitches are popping. I wanted to get something a bit more stylish and larger than my pilot case (which would become Ivy's). Wouldn't you know it, it's the exact same size. I wanted to avoid taking four bags for myself, and instead take two. FYI: We're spending about four weeks in our hometown with family from the second week in June to the second week in July. Anyway, I normally take a bag for my clothes; a bag for toiletries, makeup, hair stuff and various similar items because I'm a girl; a bag for anti-boredom with things like books, letterboxing stuff; my laptop; my purse. So I pretty much need a ... pretty big suitcase. I just hate how expensive they are. Yeah yeah, quality and stuff, and it'd certainly get plenty of use, and we have enough money... but dang. YKWIM? And they also come in sets. I don't really need a set. I've already got a nice small bag that I like. I could totally sell it and all my other bags that I don't need/use.
On top of all this, Happy Hurricane Season. Today is the start of it. While I am no longer directly affected, my family is. I'm thankful that I no longer have to pack my most important possessions into a car and drive for a full day going only, oh 200 miles. Evacuation was always fun growing up. Now I worry for my family and hope they all stay safe.
You stay safe too. Okay?
Update on the baby food. The stuff I brought home was pretty old so I went ahead and made some fresh batches. We started with sweet potatoes and Ivy's done well with that. It's a time and energy consuming process but I do enjoy it. And now that school is basically out now, I'll have more time to do this.
Hello angry face: I purchased a piece of luggage from Target (granted) and I finally took a closer look today and saw there are two spots in which stitches are popping. I wanted to get something a bit more stylish and larger than my pilot case (which would become Ivy's). Wouldn't you know it, it's the exact same size. I wanted to avoid taking four bags for myself, and instead take two. FYI: We're spending about four weeks in our hometown with family from the second week in June to the second week in July. Anyway, I normally take a bag for my clothes; a bag for toiletries, makeup, hair stuff and various similar items because I'm a girl; a bag for anti-boredom with things like books, letterboxing stuff; my laptop; my purse. So I pretty much need a ... pretty big suitcase. I just hate how expensive they are. Yeah yeah, quality and stuff, and it'd certainly get plenty of use, and we have enough money... but dang. YKWIM? And they also come in sets. I don't really need a set. I've already got a nice small bag that I like. I could totally sell it and all my other bags that I don't need/use.
On top of all this, Happy Hurricane Season. Today is the start of it. While I am no longer directly affected, my family is. I'm thankful that I no longer have to pack my most important possessions into a car and drive for a full day going only, oh 200 miles. Evacuation was always fun growing up. Now I worry for my family and hope they all stay safe.
You stay safe too. Okay?
Monday, May 31, 2010
Menu Plan Monday
I used to plan a menu monthly. Yes, thirty days of different meals planned all in one day. I'm fond of the process and have written about it (although not here) quite a few times (I may create a page about this kind of stuff). I'm also fond of how easy it is. Shopping has a direction. We're not eating out every day. The dinner mystery is always solved. The food is so much better for us. However, my husband is not as fond of it as I am and I cannot comprehend why.
Since summer starts today (in a sense), I intend to get back into planning dinners. I don't know how this will pan out while we are on vacation, but I think everyone could certainly benefit from it. Especially if we intend to lose some weight.
Menu Plan Monday, here we go.
Since summer starts today (in a sense), I intend to get back into planning dinners. I don't know how this will pan out while we are on vacation, but I think everyone could certainly benefit from it. Especially if we intend to lose some weight.
Menu Plan Monday, here we go.
- Monday -- Memorial Day Bar-be-que (steaks, chicken & hot links) steak for dinner, potato salad, brown & serve rolls
- Tuesday -- BBQ Chicken, potato salad, b&s rolls
- Wednesday -- Hot links on bread, chips
- Thursday -- Shrimp fried rice
- Friday -- Graduation ceremony = eat out
- Saturday -- Pizza
- Sunday -- Nachos
Friday, May 28, 2010
From one food topic to another.
Ivy has been eating rice cereal consistently for a couple of weeks.
Since she's gotten the hang of it and she's 6 months old, we'll be starting real foods tomorrow. Sweet potatoes.
MMMmmmmm!
I had two classes make baby food this year. The parenting class and the foods class. We froze the leftovers and I told the principal it was there if he wanted it (he has an older baby) but he never took it. I finally remembered to take it home today. I don't know how much of it is any good because it looks like it might have freezer burn. So we'll see. If it is bad, I'm making more.
Two links for you today:
Video after the cut!
Since she's gotten the hang of it and she's 6 months old, we'll be starting real foods tomorrow. Sweet potatoes.
MMMmmmmm!
I had two classes make baby food this year. The parenting class and the foods class. We froze the leftovers and I told the principal it was there if he wanted it (he has an older baby) but he never took it. I finally remembered to take it home today. I don't know how much of it is any good because it looks like it might have freezer burn. So we'll see. If it is bad, I'm making more.
Two links for you today:
Video after the cut!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Happy Meals
I Stumbled across this article on Homemade Happy Meals today. While I very much back up the idea that it certainly can be a low cost alternative, I have a few questions.
What are you really paying for at the fast food chain?
When the parent succumbs to the begging and pleading of their children's demand for the kids meal, said children are usually with the parent. We're keeping this scenario in mind. The child is with the parent.
How much time does it take to go to the grocery store, get home and prepare the homemade version of kids meal - kids kicking and screaming all the while. Keep in mind you have to travel through several departments to get all the necessities for said meal. Granted the grocery shopping would be a one time thing since you can buy in bulk and store the rest. But what if the kid wants french fries instead of apple slices? Or prefers a soda over the milk. We're only addressing the time and money right now, not the nutritious aspect. Both fries and soda more preparation time and more wallet strain.
It is certainly quicker and easier to hop in the car, drive to the chain and pick up a kids meal and let the kids eat in the car. You can't do that with your homemade version. The children won't see the end result of the homemade version - even with your secret stash of alternatives. They only see weird packages and healthy food that they just know they won't like in grocery bags.
Let's track back to the nutrition aspect. When it comes down to it, you're concerned that your kids are eating fatty fried food. You may also be concerned about the actual 'meat' product because you don't know what part of what animal and if there's anything else hidden in that tasty little nugget of fried .... I shudder. You want the alternative of something cheaper but similar and healthier too. You can bake those frozen nuggets instead of frying them. Same with the french fries if you're offering them. But the food industry is a tricky and secretive minefield. That brand name prepared chicken is the devil in disguise, even though it boasts all white breast meat. Just ask any animals rights activist - there's a whole world of wrong going on behind the scenes of the most well know chicken marketer. So you've done your research and want an even better option? Go organic (or even further, grow your own), go green and go home with even less money. We all know organics are expensive and everything else is cheaper.
Am I condoning the purchase and consumption of fast food? No. But until people (markets and firms) and stop focusing on their own gain and focus on the well being of the people at large, we will not find the quality and quantity we want and need at a price we can afford.
What are you really paying for at the fast food chain?
- The first image you see is of the standard receptacle - that brightly colored box/bag that kids everywhere can instantly recognize. The box alone draws so much attention and creates activities to keep little brains and hands busy and thinking.
- Alternative: Find online or make your own little activity sheets and have that along-side your homemade kids meal. Does the child focus more on the box/bag aspect? Create your own paper sack (a white lunch bag would work best here). You can add your own images or messages and make it personal.
- The next issue I see popping up (keep in mind, we're thinking form a child's perspective) should technically be the first addressed. The TOY. The toy is the first item that pops into a child's head. It is the draw of a miniature version of the media's current obsession that the child is allured to.
- Alternative: Scrounge garage sales, hit up your local Freecycle or Craigslist for gently used tiny toys or even old happy meal toys. The more expensive option is to hit up the dollar bins at the markets.
- Speaking of media, the fast food chain has a familiar, world recognized, icon for children. Everyone recognizes this familiar, fun-loving character. Why have something from someone only you can recognize when you can have something from someone that everyone knows? This is the child's way of keeping up with the Jones'. I know because I thought this way. I wanted kids meals because the other kids I knew got kids meals. Flashy commercials, colorful advertisements, catchy jingles and characters created specifically for kids creates another aspect of the want.
- Alternative: Have that recognized face send your kid a note saying he took the day off and designated mom/dad as a (better, more appropriate) replacement. Gain = the parent is the hero.
- The food is actually the cheapest aspect of the kids meal.
When the parent succumbs to the begging and pleading of their children's demand for the kids meal, said children are usually with the parent. We're keeping this scenario in mind. The child is with the parent.
How much time does it take to go to the grocery store, get home and prepare the homemade version of kids meal - kids kicking and screaming all the while. Keep in mind you have to travel through several departments to get all the necessities for said meal. Granted the grocery shopping would be a one time thing since you can buy in bulk and store the rest. But what if the kid wants french fries instead of apple slices? Or prefers a soda over the milk. We're only addressing the time and money right now, not the nutritious aspect. Both fries and soda more preparation time and more wallet strain.
It is certainly quicker and easier to hop in the car, drive to the chain and pick up a kids meal and let the kids eat in the car. You can't do that with your homemade version. The children won't see the end result of the homemade version - even with your secret stash of alternatives. They only see weird packages and healthy food that they just know they won't like in grocery bags.
Let's track back to the nutrition aspect. When it comes down to it, you're concerned that your kids are eating fatty fried food. You may also be concerned about the actual 'meat' product because you don't know what part of what animal and if there's anything else hidden in that tasty little nugget of fried .... I shudder. You want the alternative of something cheaper but similar and healthier too. You can bake those frozen nuggets instead of frying them. Same with the french fries if you're offering them. But the food industry is a tricky and secretive minefield. That brand name prepared chicken is the devil in disguise, even though it boasts all white breast meat. Just ask any animals rights activist - there's a whole world of wrong going on behind the scenes of the most well know chicken marketer. So you've done your research and want an even better option? Go organic (or even further, grow your own), go green and go home with even less money. We all know organics are expensive and everything else is cheaper.
Am I condoning the purchase and consumption of fast food? No. But until people (markets and firms) and stop focusing on their own gain and focus on the well being of the people at large, we will not find the quality and quantity we want and need at a price we can afford.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Birds
I've come to realize that I have a thing for birds. Love them. If I could have a superpower, it'd be flight. If I could be an animal, I'd be a bird (dog is second runner up). I'm always looking to the skies to see the hawks and vultures circling. I make jewelry and I didn't realize it at the time of purchase, but all of the pieces were of either birds, wings or feathers. I'm also on an identification spree. I have seen a few blue birds, a few blue jays (I used to see these all the time. Not so much now though), cardinals, humming birds, barn swallows and roadrunners. I had never seen a blue bird until this year. It's such a brilliant blue! The roadrunner is also one that I had never seen until this year. I didn't realize just how big those were. I've always seen cardinals and am always taken by surprise just how red they are.
I put out the humming bird feeders today and put seed in the regular feeder. I know we have a male and female cardinal that visits regularly and makes a cacophony! The barn swallows built a nest under the eave at our front door last year. They had a nest of 4 or 5 chicks and a snake got to them one night. We tried to get rid of the snake for them before it got all the chicks. The family moved out the next day. The nest is still there and we've seen one swallow perched on the eave a couple of nights.
We have the standard visitors of mourning doves (such a horrible noise they make!) and sparrows and one type of bird that I cannot identify. We sometimes get grackles too. We find it funny when the males "scoot" (mating dance). Last year was the first time I had hummingbird feeders. We were walking Polly last summer and I saw one or two feeding at another person's feeder. One came up pretty close to us to check us out - they're know for being curious little birdies. I immediately decided to get my own feeders. Ryan was skeptical at first thinking they wouldn't find the feeders. Last year I had three humming birds at one time at the feeders. However, one was territorial and shooed the other two away when they all were wanting to feed.
In my younger days, I've seen a lot of baby owls - screech owls in the wild and rescued barn owls. I have also seen woodpeckers at my parents' house. Another I've seen are scissor-tails.
Other "standards": sea gulls, pigeons, mocking birds, sandpipers, herons, spoonbills, ducks, geese, cormorants, crows, brown pelicans, white pelicans ...
Okay, this is all over the place. BIRDS.
(Oh, and sometimes when Ivy is whining, she sometimes sounds like a bird ^-^ and she has earned a nickname.)
I put out the humming bird feeders today and put seed in the regular feeder. I know we have a male and female cardinal that visits regularly and makes a cacophony! The barn swallows built a nest under the eave at our front door last year. They had a nest of 4 or 5 chicks and a snake got to them one night. We tried to get rid of the snake for them before it got all the chicks. The family moved out the next day. The nest is still there and we've seen one swallow perched on the eave a couple of nights.
We have the standard visitors of mourning doves (such a horrible noise they make!) and sparrows and one type of bird that I cannot identify. We sometimes get grackles too. We find it funny when the males "scoot" (mating dance). Last year was the first time I had hummingbird feeders. We were walking Polly last summer and I saw one or two feeding at another person's feeder. One came up pretty close to us to check us out - they're know for being curious little birdies. I immediately decided to get my own feeders. Ryan was skeptical at first thinking they wouldn't find the feeders. Last year I had three humming birds at one time at the feeders. However, one was territorial and shooed the other two away when they all were wanting to feed.
In my younger days, I've seen a lot of baby owls - screech owls in the wild and rescued barn owls. I have also seen woodpeckers at my parents' house. Another I've seen are scissor-tails.
Other "standards": sea gulls, pigeons, mocking birds, sandpipers, herons, spoonbills, ducks, geese, cormorants, crows, brown pelicans, white pelicans ...
Okay, this is all over the place. BIRDS.
(Oh, and sometimes when Ivy is whining, she sometimes sounds like a bird ^-^ and she has earned a nickname.)
Monday, May 10, 2010
My First Mother's Day
Last year, I was pregnant. But a few people sent me mother's day cards anyway.
But for my first real, official Mother's Day this year, I got a few cards from family. Ryan and Ivy came into the bedroom to wake me up, but I fell back asleep for a while. Ryan woke me back up and said "OPEN your gift." He cooked me breakfast (egg in a basket) while I read my card and opened my present. He got me a very lovely vase by Fenton. He found it in an antique shop in Dallas. We went to Dallas and tried to eat at Babes - but the line was long, so went to Brooklyn's instead. Then we went to Central Market for some cheese for fondue.
This year, my very first present was actually from a student! She gave me a lovely mommy necklace - it's in the shape of a heart and through the middle, there's a profile of a mommy holding a child. That was very sweet of that student.
And that was that. ;)
But for my first real, official Mother's Day this year, I got a few cards from family. Ryan and Ivy came into the bedroom to wake me up, but I fell back asleep for a while. Ryan woke me back up and said "OPEN your gift." He cooked me breakfast (egg in a basket) while I read my card and opened my present. He got me a very lovely vase by Fenton. He found it in an antique shop in Dallas. We went to Dallas and tried to eat at Babes - but the line was long, so went to Brooklyn's instead. Then we went to Central Market for some cheese for fondue.
This year, my very first present was actually from a student! She gave me a lovely mommy necklace - it's in the shape of a heart and through the middle, there's a profile of a mommy holding a child. That was very sweet of that student.
And that was that. ;)
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Last time on Lunatic's Landing ...
The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of action.
For starters, my student organization was celebrating their week. FCCLA has a nationally recognized week. We were late in the game and decided to do it last week.We donated the money to the crisis center, had a couple of parties, tie dyed... there's more but I can't remember.
Also, the majority of the days that week were for state standardized tests. I had the pleasure of administering to a group of kiddos that needed to be in a small group. And one of those kiddos is habitually the last student in the school to finish. I spent three days telling everyone to stay quiet for four hours straight.
This past week has been full of food and teacher appreciation. FCCLA was asked to cook a lunch and a breakfast. No problem. A teacher requested my room and resources to make punch for a "world class" famous so-and-so. A day later, one of his students asks me to provide snacks, refreshments, my classroom and elbow grease (to clean for him). I quickly told him off and he had his students do this. Uh, that's what his organization is for in the first place. NOT ME. Anyway, I heard some teachers saw the punch and helped themselves. And this teacher pitched a hissy and squirted some tears. Oh my.
Anyway... FCCLA went on to prepare and serve the teacher luncheon. I had the smart plan to create a two page time table to make sure that everything went smoothly. And it did. The following day, FCCLA made pizza (and delivered it) to the class who donated the most shoes benefiting the crisis center. The kiddos also helped make pancakes and bacon for the teacher breakfast. They served it this morning.
Another thing that FCCLA and foods class did this week was to organize all the lab equipment and get rid of the old stuff that we don't use. I've been a huge bitch about the labs - making the kids use bleach on all surfaces, putting everything away where it's supposed to go. There's an enormous insect infestation and the only way I can figure eradicating it is to clean like nobody's business.
On top of all this, I was out of my medication. So I was even more stressed and angry. But I finally got to see my doctor. He emailed my prescription to the pharmacy. I went to pick it up and they said they had to have it verified by the doctor (hello, they sent it to you!) and to see if insurance will pay for it. It could take up to 3 days to fill it. I basically flipped out and hauled ass back to the doctor for a box of samples. I was really lucky too because the nurse was about to leave. All I have to say about that is that my insurance had better pay for this or I'm shoving a couch through someones throat.
And then there's Ivy. She's finally learned how to roll over. She mostly flips from back to tummy and just learned tummy to back. But when I put her to bed, it's on her side. Sometime in the middle of the night, she'll roll onto her stomach and wake up. We thought that since she always cries while on her tummy that she'd want to be on her back or side. We would roll her back over and within 5 minutes, she'd be back on her tummy whining. All. Night. Long. And we wouldn't get any sleep. Well, last night I had it up to my eyeballs with everything (above) and said screw it. I'm not rolling her back over. She can cry it. Not two minutes later, all sound stopped. She'd fallen asleep on her stomach and she didn't get up until around 6 am this morning. Moral of the story: she needed to be left the eff alone. Here's to hoping this is what she really wants and a good night's sleep for all of us.
For starters, my student organization was celebrating their week. FCCLA has a nationally recognized week. We were late in the game and decided to do it last week.We donated the money to the crisis center, had a couple of parties, tie dyed... there's more but I can't remember.
Also, the majority of the days that week were for state standardized tests. I had the pleasure of administering to a group of kiddos that needed to be in a small group. And one of those kiddos is habitually the last student in the school to finish. I spent three days telling everyone to stay quiet for four hours straight.
This past week has been full of food and teacher appreciation. FCCLA was asked to cook a lunch and a breakfast. No problem. A teacher requested my room and resources to make punch for a "world class" famous so-and-so. A day later, one of his students asks me to provide snacks, refreshments, my classroom and elbow grease (to clean for him). I quickly told him off and he had his students do this. Uh, that's what his organization is for in the first place. NOT ME. Anyway, I heard some teachers saw the punch and helped themselves. And this teacher pitched a hissy and squirted some tears. Oh my.
Anyway... FCCLA went on to prepare and serve the teacher luncheon. I had the smart plan to create a two page time table to make sure that everything went smoothly. And it did. The following day, FCCLA made pizza (and delivered it) to the class who donated the most shoes benefiting the crisis center. The kiddos also helped make pancakes and bacon for the teacher breakfast. They served it this morning.
Another thing that FCCLA and foods class did this week was to organize all the lab equipment and get rid of the old stuff that we don't use. I've been a huge bitch about the labs - making the kids use bleach on all surfaces, putting everything away where it's supposed to go. There's an enormous insect infestation and the only way I can figure eradicating it is to clean like nobody's business.
On top of all this, I was out of my medication. So I was even more stressed and angry. But I finally got to see my doctor. He emailed my prescription to the pharmacy. I went to pick it up and they said they had to have it verified by the doctor (hello, they sent it to you!) and to see if insurance will pay for it. It could take up to 3 days to fill it. I basically flipped out and hauled ass back to the doctor for a box of samples. I was really lucky too because the nurse was about to leave. All I have to say about that is that my insurance had better pay for this or I'm shoving a couch through someones throat.
And then there's Ivy. She's finally learned how to roll over. She mostly flips from back to tummy and just learned tummy to back. But when I put her to bed, it's on her side. Sometime in the middle of the night, she'll roll onto her stomach and wake up. We thought that since she always cries while on her tummy that she'd want to be on her back or side. We would roll her back over and within 5 minutes, she'd be back on her tummy whining. All. Night. Long. And we wouldn't get any sleep. Well, last night I had it up to my eyeballs with everything (above) and said screw it. I'm not rolling her back over. She can cry it. Not two minutes later, all sound stopped. She'd fallen asleep on her stomach and she didn't get up until around 6 am this morning. Moral of the story: she needed to be left the eff alone. Here's to hoping this is what she really wants and a good night's sleep for all of us.
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