Eat Better America

eatbetteramerica.com

I discovered this site last year while grossly plumped-up pregnant. I had reached the point where I felt like I probably needed to put down the Doritos and pick up an apple. However, I felt a little intimidated and hesitant about trying "healthy" options because...
a. The recipes are usually expensive.
b. The recipes are usually tasteless and gross.
c. I cook for a family that would revolt if they knew I was sneaking in veggies or anything good for them for that matter.

However, I quickly fell in love with this recipe/lifestyle site for several reasons.
a. I don't even know I'm eating healthy and most of the time neither does my family. It teaches you ways to healthify everyday favorites to lower the not good for you factors :)
b. All the recipes have reviews, nutritional facts, helpful hints and star ratings. Not only could I choose the ones that I thought looked good but I could find out from others if they were before buying all the ingredients.
c. You can save recipes in your own online recipe box. Therefore, I could easily access them from my phone while at the grocery store or my kitchen.
c. simply organized and easy to navigate.

The reality is... if anyone would struggle to make healthier cooking options it would be me and I have completely switched over all my recipes to this site!

It Occurred to Me Today

I had one of those cheesy, corny, mushy, 80's canned "ooh and ahh" moments today. I was walking our girls in the stroller, talking to my husband about the million things we had going on and the stresses of daily life when I looked down and saw this.

Sisters holding hands. Simple yet profound. Adelyn wasn't talking a mile a minute, Marcella wasn't screaming. Absolute silence. Just simply enjoying each others company without a care in the world. I wanted to cry. Jason looked at me like I was crazy and hesitantly asked me if I was pregnant. I guess the only time us women get emotional is if we are supernaturally hormonal... oh, Jason. {the answer was no by the way.) I thought, "They get it." How does life seem to muddle everything up and we lose sight of the precious gifts God has given us?

Time is getting tighter. I can only imagine that it is only gets tighter from here on out. What with Jason getting ready to go back to teaching next week, church and family outings on the weekends, Jason and I's commitment time to each other on Mondays, our Tuesday tradition of bringing dinner to Mama, Thursday's story and picnic time, the stressers of searching for a new home and wrestling season coming, I know it's going to get harder to stop and appreciate the daily blessings we are given. Now don't get me wrong, almost all the things I listed are fun and enjoyable things to do and I wouldn't trade any of it for a second. However, as I was taking our girls and dog on this new nightly after dinner tradition, it occurred to me. If I can hardly find time to stop and appreciate it now, how am I ever going to find time in the future to do it. Life only goes faster and will only get busier as my little ones grow.

This is going to be one of those mental photographs that will forever be etched in my memory. I pray that it pops up often and doesn't become buried underneath the ever-mounting information overload of everyday life. I've been praying and more actively watching for more moments like these. Not easy to do when you're wrist deep in baby blowout and your older one is trying to apply makeup on her baby sister's face with a plastic hard drum stick. But maybe that in itself is something I know I will miss when they finally leaves my nest. I am encouraged to slow down and find joy in the memory not the monetary.

Tomme Tippee Bibs

I have pros and cons about my It's the Little Things selection today but for the purpose of travel it's all smiles.

Reasons I love these...
1. They come in fun colors. Enough said.
2. They roll up into a nice convenient pouch that can hold a spoon and a fork. I keep one in my diaper bag at all times for those unexpected last minute chances to socialize around food :)
3. They are easy to wipe down in a hurry.
4. The pouch at the bottom catches the majority of food spillage.
5. BPA free and kiddos can't pull them off!

Reasons that don't bother me so much but might bother you...
1. The neck is kinda big even on the smallest setting so you can still have some not protected areas. However, when on the go it's better than nothing :)
2. They stain easily with dark sauces (spaghetti and such).

DIY Photo Magnets

I purposely took a quick picture of my old ones so you could see how well they held up to the abusive play of a one year old over the past year. Very easy and inexpensive to make! The only thing you technically need to purchase is magnet sticker paper and clear contact paper (optional). I have researched this to death and the best deal I can find is on Oriental Trading. They have 12 sheets for $10 and you can make that stretch a long way. I'm still using the pack I bought last year!

Here is the link to their site for the 12 Awesome Adhesive Magnetic Sheets.

I printed these pictures off on my home printer and made them different sizes. However, you also have the option of just using already printed pictures. I use Walgreens' coupons constantly for quick and easy pics.

This step is not necessary but if you want these to be extra tough to withstand kid play, I cover the picture first with clear contact paper. I leave a little excess on the sides to fold onto the back.

Then, all you have to do is peal back the paper backing on the magnet sheet and place the picture directly on the sticky side of the magnet. Don't worry about making it perfect because you are going to trim around it. So, no need for annoying measuring.

Once you have the picture secure, press down to seal it permanently. Voila! For under $.25 a piece you have custom made magnets to enjoy. To have them custom made they can start at $4.00 a piece!

Trader Joe's Fruit Crushers

My obsession of the day...

These are a great snack for my kiddos with sneaky sneaky veggies mixed in. They have three flavors now, apple carrot, apple banana, and just plain apple. They are resealable and don't need to be refrigerated until opened so they are a great quick snack to throw in your bag on the go.

Here Goes Nothing!

After much deliberation, thought, stomach turning and criticism from my wonderfully supportive husband, I have decided to venture out of my comfort zone and begin sharing all my daily happenings with the world.  As if I don't talk enough already, I have discovered yet another medium to try and make people listen to me!  I have many ambitions and goals for this blog but above all I have a vision of being able to share ideas and successes I have had as a stay at home mom and use what I paid alot for but no longer use, my prior teaching experience.  With two little ones at home and a tight budget, I am always searching for new innovative ways to entertain, create and manage my household in an inexpensive diy fashion.  I have overloaded good friends and family with detailed descriptions of my latest projects and outings with the girls.  I feel it's time to give them a break and try to discover an audience that might just be able to use some of this stay at home mom mumbo jumbo.  I've got alot of ideas floating around in this little head of mine that are bursting at the seams!  Time to let them out.

This is my beautiful little famiy.  I have decided to involuntarily offer their daily lives up for public observation and amusement.

This is my fire truck princess, Adelyn Marie.  She never stops moving or talking (something I am afraid to say she probably got from me).  I recently read in a study, that consistant early talking is a sign of intelligence.  I haven't decided if I agree with this or not but what I will say is if this is true, she's the next Einstein...

This is my little chubbers, Marcella Jane.  She is in general the happiest, most laid back baby.  However, I think she has a little fiery anger issue that only comes out when she's had enough and can be quite terrifying.  The Lord made her large and chunky for survival reasons.  Her sister is constantly "loving her to death" on a daily basis.  Her first words will be, "Get off me..."

Chango, best dog ever.  Enough said.

This is my incredibly loving, supportive husband Jason.  He is a middle school social studies teacher and an incredible father.

My family is my world.  I feel it is my job as a mom and a wife to keep challenging myself to come up with innovative ways to keep blessing them on a daily basis!