Small Changes - please share!

I do not consider myself a "health nut" by any means. I admit indulging in a Ding Dong every now and then. Cold cereal with milk is a great snack and it's not Kashi by the way, but Frosted Flakes or Golden Grahams. The hidden Rubbermaid container of candy collected from many birthday parties and school events throughout the year calls my name from time to time. And all you coffee lovers out there, unless you ask for "skinny no sugar", let's face it, your latte is packed with fat and calories. And who orders it like that anyway? Certainly not me! But there are small changes I do make to provide healthy meals/snacks for my family. Here are some of them:

• WHOLE GRAIN PRODUCTS: White bread is like play dough and the same goes for instant white rice. There is no nutritional value in it even though it states "enriched". Processed, white flour turns straight to sugar in our bodies. And, yes, even on a gluten free diet, I make sure Matt's wheat free bread, muffins and pancakes are made with whole grain brown rice. For tips on buying whole grain products click here.


• MILLED FLAX SEED: It has no flavor or strong texture, yet this heart healthy seed is packed with Omega 3. Add it to everything from breads, cookie dough, oatmeal, brownies, breadings.....you name it. Seriously, your children won't know the difference.


• VEGGIE/FRUIT DIP: Pull out some raw cauliflower, broccoli, carrots or colorful peppers and let your kids double dip to their hearts content! Anything to make them eat their veggies, right? Slice up an apple with some caramel dip on the side or better yet, try peanut butter (my boy's favorite). Makes these foods fun, not dreaded!


• JUICE BOXES: What kid doesn't like these? I stock our fridge with Horizon's Chocolate Milk Boxes and CapriSun's Roaring Waters. One provides calcium while the other is more than half less sugar compared to the usual drink pouch. Anything is better than soda!


• BE BALANCED: Is having that occasional treat ok? Sure. In moderation. Studies prove if we dictate every little thing our children eat, they will rebel and desire the forbidden food more and more. Don't live in health food bondage! Teach your children good choices and indulge when appropriate. And here's a simple solution: if you don't want your kids eating it, then don't bring it into your house!

What small changes do you make to provide your family with healthy eats? Please share. I can't wait to read and learn from you!

If You Peek Through My Kitchen's Window....

The dinner's dishes are piled by the sink. Matt helps clear the table. Mark hollers, "Allllll done!" He goes to wash his hands. Steve, Matt and Mark are out the door to play catch.

I stare at the dishes. The bowls. The silverware. I go to my laptop and tune into Yahoo's radio "my station". "Jesus, Take the Wheel" comes on....

No one is around. I start to sing as I rinse the dishes and load up the dishwasher. "Dancing Queen"!! My absolute favorite!! I start to wipe down the countertop, then make a sink full of bubbly Dawn and start to scrub while U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" plays.

What usually is a dreadful time straightening up the kitchen ends up being fun and free. No kids yelling. No one is hungry again. I can mop the floor, shake a tail feather and have a good time. Alone. Whoever said housework is boring lied. (Or at that moment I was living in lah-lah land!!)

On the top of my list

Have you seen that Home Depot commercial where a family is trying hard to find something? They are looking through piles of papers, boxes, shelves of clutter, cabinets jammed with stuff and more. Instead the mom stumbles upon their "New Year's Resolution" list. It reads:

"4. Get organized"

The mom responds, "Maybe we should move 'get organized' to number one."

Oh how that commercial hit home. Our basement looks like one big storage bin. Things piled everywhere. Toys that are cycled in and out from being upstairs. Baby equipment collecting dust. Decorations I assume I will eventually use, but never do. And I won't begin to mention the other "what if" items that have been "what if-ing" for YEARS!! Are you feeling the pressure? I sure did!

Monday I called a local pregnancy assistant center to donate our baby gear. (Yes, we feel "complete" with two boys if you must know!) Next was a phone call to Amvets to pick up other items collecting dust.

Today I am left with more boxes to prepare! On that note......BACK TO WORK!

Got Apples?

WARNING: You are about to enter a product push zone. The comments expressed here are of mine and mine alone. I think the item below *rocks* but if you don’t like it....tough!

I love apple pie, apple crisp, baked apples, fried apples....practically anything that calls for apples. The one thing I loathe is peeling, coring, and cutting the darn things. By the time I finish one it is browning while I work hard on the next.

Until I found this: Linens ‘n Things Apple Peeler/Corer/Slicer

I know, I know. It looks similar to a popular tool offered by a company that hosts many in-home shows. But you can’t beat the price and no wooden block is required to mount the tool. It cranks with ease. Even Matthew did a couple Granny Smiths without a problem.

So now I easily make apple recipes and it is dishwasher safe -- can't beat that! The peel strings make for good kid fun too!

"YUM-O!!"

Cleaning Tools and a Pig

What is up with Blogger lately? I tried over and over again to add a photo of my pantry to my last post. It will not let me! I give up. So I will post it here to show off my organization talents – or lack of! As usual my boys are in the middle of everything.

My usual blog hits: Apologies your way! I have been so busy this week and haven't visited much. Soon enough I will catch up!

Is there an item(s) in your home that your baby or toddler gravitates around? Do your toddlers love cleaning tools such as vacuums, brooms, Swiffers, etc? Matt fell in love with our vacuum when he started to crawl and Mark is hooked on my Swiffer tools. By the way, I love this device called The Carpet Flick – especially around the kitchen table as you can see here. It also picks up popcorn crumbs like a dream! I try to use these addictions to my advantage!

This week my boys and I attended a mom’s group luau at our neighborhood’s park. I enjoyed visiting while Matt played limbo and more. A great time - thanks, Laura!! Matthew is always playing "the ham" seen here sticking his tongue out. He reminds me of myself at that age - always the perfomer!! Ha, get it? "Ham"....pig in the photo? *DRUM SOUND* Seriously, I have a better sense of humor than that!

Thursday I registered Matthew for kindergarten. The first day of school is less than two weeks away. This summer went by too fast! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy these last days of summer (wiping a tear from my eye).

Pantries and Secrets

I am letting a big skeleton out of my closet. Those who have visited my home comment on how neat and clean it is, but I have a dirty little secret............

DON’T LOOK IN THE CLOSETS OR CABINETS!!! I am notorious for just throwing stuff on shelves or in drawers. It’s a vicious cycle!!!

Yesterday I finally organized my pantry (a job that needed to be tackled for some time). While deciding whether to keep the vinegar that has been there for years with only half an inch of vinegar in it to throwing out open crackers that went stale MONTHS ago, I researched a well stocked pantry. Here were my findings:

• White or brown rice and rice blends
• Pasta
• Biscuit baking mix
• Oats
• Dry Mixes: Gravy, salad dressing
• Beans and Lentils: Canned or dry
• Bastes, Marinades, Sauces such as soy, worcestershire, teriyaki
• Tomato products: Diced, crushed, paste, sauce, salsa, dried
• Pasta Sauce
• Broth or stock: Beef, chicken, vegetable (Fat free, low sodium)
• Soup: Condensed, dry, ready-to-serve
• Canned meats: Tuna, chicken, Salmon
• Canned fruits: peaches, apple sauce, pears, pineapple, fruit salad, citrus, etc.
• Dried fruits: Cranberries, raisins, etc.
• Canned vegetables
• Dinner kits: We all have nights that a quick meal is necessary
• Pudding and gelatin mixes
• Canned or premixed cake frostings for quick dessert dress-ups
• Assorted crackers
• Olive oil (virgin or light if you don't like the strong taste)
• Peanut or canola oil for high heat frying
• Non-stick spray oils
• Regular white vinegar or wine vinegar for "every day" use
• Balsamic vinegar for salads, deglazing and vegetables
• Beverage like teas, cocoa, canned or dried fruit juice mixes, etc
• Snacks: popcorn, chips, pretzels for quick snacks or dipping
• Onions and potatoes must be stored separately to avoid sprouting potatoes and rotting onions. Never in the fridge
• Fresh garlic and ginger should be stored in an airy basket in a dark cool place. Never in the fridge
• Spices: Always buy a little at a time so you get the flavor
• Kosher salt
• Vanilla Extract
• Indian/Thai/Oriental Curry powders and/or premixed bottled pastes and sauces
• Cornstarch
• Baking soda/powder