Hello again!
Jianna started singing this morning and it was precious! Recently she has started singing more and more. She sings her ABC's (A B C C E F E) :-) and she tries to count (two tree fo five eight nine). It is so amazing to hear her learning and putting into practice what she is learning. She has started counting more especially when I am crocheting, because I will count aloud so that I can keep the pattern the same.
This summer we are participating in the reading program at the library. Jianna has already earned a free pass to the Children's Discovery Museum. I can't wait to use it soon and see her responses to all the cool stuff they have!
Another thing she really enjoys is wading and just playing outside. It is so much fun to see her enjoy the outdoors!
Are there any fun things to do in the summer that are free or inexpensive that you would suggest?
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Monday, June 24, 2013
Running Funny...
Hey Everyone!
Dusky-dark + running + thunking a frog with my foot = "what was that!?" response. :-)
Yes, that really did happen to me... I was in the middle of the city, too! Sometimes what we can't see coming can startle us the most. But then we laugh because we weren't expecting it and it changed our focus, even for just a second. And it was a good thing. :-)
Has there been a good surprise dropped in your lap recently? Has something startled you with a change in focus, but been a good thing after all?
Dusky-dark + running + thunking a frog with my foot = "what was that!?" response. :-)
Yes, that really did happen to me... I was in the middle of the city, too! Sometimes what we can't see coming can startle us the most. But then we laugh because we weren't expecting it and it changed our focus, even for just a second. And it was a good thing. :-)
Has there been a good surprise dropped in your lap recently? Has something startled you with a change in focus, but been a good thing after all?
Can a Christian Have Joy?
Hey all!
Recently, I have been thinking about how legalism tends to sneak into my life and actions. I don't want it to, I don't intend for it to, but it does. I was watching a mini series from our pastor that brought the subject to the front of my mind, though I had been wondering about it for a while.
The sermon/lesson was titled "How To Have Joy Even Though You Are A Christian (parts I and II)" (I am not going to repeat everything he said, because he said it much better than I can, but if you get a chance to follow the links, the lessons are great!) I've realized that the legalism that I have allowed into my life is stealing my joy and I don't like it one bit! Pastor's sermons helped me identify some of the things that I need God to help me change to not continue down the path of legalism... to get my joy back. That's what I want.
Is there something you have recently learned, heard or thought about that was a light-bulb moment?
Recently, I have been thinking about how legalism tends to sneak into my life and actions. I don't want it to, I don't intend for it to, but it does. I was watching a mini series from our pastor that brought the subject to the front of my mind, though I had been wondering about it for a while.
The sermon/lesson was titled "How To Have Joy Even Though You Are A Christian (parts I and II)" (I am not going to repeat everything he said, because he said it much better than I can, but if you get a chance to follow the links, the lessons are great!) I've realized that the legalism that I have allowed into my life is stealing my joy and I don't like it one bit! Pastor's sermons helped me identify some of the things that I need God to help me change to not continue down the path of legalism... to get my joy back. That's what I want.
Is there something you have recently learned, heard or thought about that was a light-bulb moment?
Friday, June 21, 2013
Alfredo, Healthy-fied (is that a word?) :-)
Welcome! Here is another of my Foodie Friday entries just for my own records. I hope you are enjoying seeing some of these as much as I am enjoying sharing them with other people!
One of my favorite dishes of all time is Spaghetti with Alfredo sauce. I think of it as comfort food! The only problem is that Jason's body can't handle Alfredo sauces that I would get out of the store or in restaurants. So I was searching for another way to use spaghetti one day and I found this recipe. I knew that some of the original ingredients might not work for Jason, but that I could tweak it to meet our needs. I was thrilled!
This is my variation of Rocco's Alfredo Sauce:
Prep. Time: 3 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Serves: 4 meal-sized portions
Ingredients:
1/2 pkg. whole grain thin spaghetti
salt
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. corn starch (or 2 Tbsp. flour, if you don't have corn starch)
1/2 cup low-sodium fat-free chicken broth
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
2 cloves fresh crushed garlic (more if needed. I also substitute 1/2 Tbsp of garlic powder, and it tastes just as good!)
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; plus more for on top
6-oz. plain greek yogurt
1. Bring large pot of water to a boil. Add the salt and the thin spaghetti. Boil until desired tenderness is reached, then drain the water off.
2. Meanwhile, put the oil and the corn starch in a pan over low heat. Stir continuously while adding the broth a little bit at a time, until a nice sauce consistency has been reached. (You can use more or less broth, as you need to.) Stir in the spices (add any others that you like! Sometimes I add diced onion. It just tastes great!) Add the cheese and mix until completely incorporated and melted. Remove sauce from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Fold in the yogurt until well incorporated. Dish up the spaghetti and spoon the alfredo sauce over top. Serve and enjoy!
What is your favorite pasta recipe?
According to the Spark People Recipe Calculator, this recipe has:
One of my favorite dishes of all time is Spaghetti with Alfredo sauce. I think of it as comfort food! The only problem is that Jason's body can't handle Alfredo sauces that I would get out of the store or in restaurants. So I was searching for another way to use spaghetti one day and I found this recipe. I knew that some of the original ingredients might not work for Jason, but that I could tweak it to meet our needs. I was thrilled!
This is my variation of Rocco's Alfredo Sauce:
Prep. Time: 3 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Serves: 4 meal-sized portions
Ingredients:
1/2 pkg. whole grain thin spaghetti
salt
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. corn starch (or 2 Tbsp. flour, if you don't have corn starch)
1/2 cup low-sodium fat-free chicken broth
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
2 cloves fresh crushed garlic (more if needed. I also substitute 1/2 Tbsp of garlic powder, and it tastes just as good!)
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; plus more for on top
6-oz. plain greek yogurt
1. Bring large pot of water to a boil. Add the salt and the thin spaghetti. Boil until desired tenderness is reached, then drain the water off.
2. Meanwhile, put the oil and the corn starch in a pan over low heat. Stir continuously while adding the broth a little bit at a time, until a nice sauce consistency has been reached. (You can use more or less broth, as you need to.) Stir in the spices (add any others that you like! Sometimes I add diced onion. It just tastes great!) Add the cheese and mix until completely incorporated and melted. Remove sauce from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Fold in the yogurt until well incorporated. Dish up the spaghetti and spoon the alfredo sauce over top. Serve and enjoy!
What is your favorite pasta recipe?
According to the Spark People Recipe Calculator, this recipe has:
| Calories | 546.0 | |
 | ||
| Total Fat | 10.9 g | |
| ||
| Saturated Fat | 5.2 g | |
| ||
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4 g | |
| ||
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4.7 g | |
| ||
| Cholesterol | 19.8 mg | |
| ||
| Sodium | 557.1 mg | |
| ||
| Potassium | 26.9 mg | |
| ||
| Total Carbohydrate | 6.5 g | |
| ||
| Dietary Fiber | 0.0 g | |
| ||
| Sugars | 1.9 g | |
| ||
| Protein | 15.3 g | |
| ||
| Vitamin A | 3.5 % |
| |
| Vitamin B-12 | 5.8 % |
| |
| Vitamin B-6 | 1.3 % |
| |
| Vitamin C | 0.0 % |
| |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 % |
| |
| Vitamin E | 3.1 % |
| |
| Calcium | 39.4 % |
| |
| Copper | 0.5 % |
| |
| Folate | 0.5 % |
| |
| Iron | 1.5 % |
| |
| Magnesium | 3.2 % |
| |
| Manganese | 0.3 % |
| |
| Niacin | 0.4 % |
| |
| Pantothenic Acid | 1.3 % |
| |
| Phosphorus | 20.2 % |
| |
| Riboflavin | 5.7 % |
| |
| Selenium | 9.4 % |
| |
| Thiamin | 0.8 % |
| |
| Zinc | 5.4 % |
| |
|
|
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. |
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Baking Soda In The Bathroom
Hello again!
Last Wednesday I shared how I clean the kitchen with baking soda and vinegar. Today I want to share the cleaning power in the bathroom. I love to use it in my tub/shower, sinks and even the toilets! It is a simple cleaner that I don't necessarily have to open all the windows to allow the fumes to escape.
Bathroom:
Last Wednesday I shared how I clean the kitchen with baking soda and vinegar. Today I want to share the cleaning power in the bathroom. I love to use it in my tub/shower, sinks and even the toilets! It is a simple cleaner that I don't necessarily have to open all the windows to allow the fumes to escape.
Bathroom:
- Tub/Shower: I sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of the tub and wet it with vinegar. Allow it to fizz and then spread it around with a sponge or a rag. Sometimes, I scrub it a little bit, just for good measure. I leave it about 5 or 10 minutes and when I come back it is ready to rinse! I rinse it well with water and no water spots or rings remain! I like to also use this on the walls of my shower. It rinses clean and doesn't leave my walls feeling gritty. I put some baking soda on my sponge and use vinegar in a spray bottle to activate it. Scrub it around, then I rinse like normal. I give this a 98% on effectiveness.
- Sink: Same process as the tub, just on a smaller scale. I love the quickness and the simplicity of it.
- On the faucets and mirror, I just rub a bit of the activated solution around, rinse thoroughly and dry with a dry towel. Works like a charm!
- Toilets: The toilets can be the trickiest part for me to clean. I flush the toilet when I first get in the bathroom, sprinkle baking soda on the tub and sink, then sprinkle the bowl of the toilet with some baking soda. I spray vinegar on the baking soda to activate it, spread it with a toilet bowl brush and let it sit about 10-15 minutes. I like to make certain all the dirt, germs and everything else are killed. :) Once that is done, I give it another scrub, use some of the solution on the seat and rim and rinse well.
Now, that the kitchen and bathrooms are clean, I think I'll show you the powers of baking soda on carpets and soft surfaces next week. Have you all used baking soda, vinegar or any other natural products to clean your house? How have they worked? Do you have any tips or tricks or suggestions to make cleaning easier?
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