Valentine's on the Cheap

Source: savvyhousekeeping.com via Dalia on Pinterest

Valentine's Day kind of snuck up on me this year. Not that I didn't know it was coming but my life has sort of sucked all the money out of me. My car, my kids getting sick, feeding other humans in my household, the usual. So since I'd still like to go out on this most romantic of Tuesdays this February I must think outside the box. Thankfully for me I live outside the box.

Magazines and such like to suggest a home cooked meal to show your significant other how much you care. I say no. I am a stay at home mom right now and although I enjoy cooking I'd like a break. Especially since my audience usually wants chicken nuggets and mac n' cheese.

I suggest checking out your online options. Places like Groupon, Livingsocial & plumdistrict have daily deals, many of which include getaways, spa days, food, & fun activities. You just pay in advance and print or show your voucher on your phone and you can get up to 75% off your date. I recently bought 2 admissions to an Ice Castle in Silverthorne thinking it would make a fun future date.

Source: wallpapers.free-review.net via Nancy on Pinterest

Check out Kidspages.org, a website with a calender of local fun things to do with your kids. It's great because each day it shows what's going on in the Denver area. It shows free events, discounts on theater tickets, free passes to museums in the area, displays restaurants where kids eat free as well as paid activities going on. So if I'm stuck on what to do or want to plan for certain day I check there 1st.

I found out on kidspages that the Denver Center for Performing Arts will put several tickets on sale for $10 at 10am tomorrow morning. So I'm going to check it out to see if Trav & I might catch a show tomorrow.

Caribou Coffee sent me a coupon for Bogo drinks on Valentine's Day and I'm considering the whole "Make Out" discount to get a free burrito at Qdoba. Apparently if you kiss your significant other in front of your server you get FREE FOOD( a bit creepy, slightly romantic). It may not be my dream dinner but it fits my current "dream budget" so I'll think about it.

Sign up for e-mails from every place you might consider eating if you want free birthday food and quite a bit of coupons. Mostly casual and upscale casual restaurants do this. Some fancier places are included on restaurant.com and in entertainment coupon books.

Also, If you're trying to save this Valentine's day don't forget romantic but cheap things like ice skating but most of all think of your significant other. It doesn't have to cost a lot to spend quality time together. I think having fun and forgetting your day to day worries to remember why you are together in the 1st place is what's most important.

Source: theapplecollection.com via Blair on Pinterest

Jess

Yelling into pillows & other practical dinnertime advice

(Noah after we gave up on feeding him and just gave him a bath)

So I've(or we've) been having a rough few days.

I'm happy to say that after about a week of emotional run-ins with my 5 yr old about school and quality time and the demise of extended periods of video game play my son is going to school without any crying! Somehow though this has morphed into very upsetting dinners. Both Owen and his 22 mo brother have been making dinnertime nothing short of torturous lately. I think Travis and I becoming a little unhinged with the challenge of it all. The baby scream-cried all through dinner 2 days ago and couldn't eat because we think Travis may have touched him with a hand that was cutting Habaneros. Mind you Travis washed his hands about 5 times before he touched him but those peppers are crazy. Last nite or a day, a shower and several handwashings later my husbands hands are still burning and our children are still making dinnertime difficult.

So we are brainstorming on how to release the tension from our dinnertime. We are mentally finished with staring at our 5 yr old not eating for no apparent reason day after day.

Now I don't believe in completely catering to your kids growing list of food demands. I try to make things that everyone can eat and although children enjoy finger foods I can't see myself making them for every meal.

This website may help with finding healthy foods that kids like: http://www.kidkritics.com/index.cfm?page=products&pg_start=301&pg_current=4&tagID=0&manufacturerID=0&keyword=

It has kids between 5 and 14 blind taste test products. They give an approval to foods that get 70% positive or above.

I didn't really find any answers for issues with my 5 yr old here but it talks about toddlers and food and some of the suggestions are pretty universal: http://www.babble.com/toddler/toddler-feeding-nutrition/mealtime-tips/

Plus it looks like a helpful new parenting site for me to glean from.

I think Chill Out is pretty good advice. Also they are not going to die, you are not going to die.

And my personal favorite: Their (or anyone else's) actions do not have to dictate my peace or happiness. They are not eating and having a hard time trying new things, etc but it will pass and not being upset usually seems like the 1st thing you have to change for the experience to change.

The problem I have with Owen( 5 yr old) is he finds sitting at our table to eat a bore. Which seems to affect his attitude on anything we eat whether he likes the food or not. So I'm considering switching it up a few a days a week and soon. For toddlers babble.com suggests to eat with him, lower distractions and focus on conversation. Which is what we always do. Owen is constantly grabbing at anything that could distract him on the table( pen, ripped piece of paper, toy, whatever is closest to him.) It's like he has food ADD!

Ideas to release compressed irritation from these mealtimes:

Picnic on the floor

Taking a walk and bringing filling snacks( fruit, veg, protein)

Cheap nite out

Healthy kid friendly meal made with Owen( so he has more pride in what is put on the table)

Yelling into a pillow before we eat dinner( jk)

Ideas for healthy kid friendly meals:

http://blog.superhealthykids.com/

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/dinners-kids-love-photo-gallery-848222/

http://mealmakeovermoms.com/

http://www.thesneakychef.com/ ( I don't mind being sneaky as long as you still offer fruit & veg)

Last piece of advice for myself or anyone listening- Be Thankful! Remember what's going well. My son was distracted last nite by just about anything around him but both him and my toddler were scarfing down mushrooms and bok choy without hesitation.

Also when you think about all the effort you put into dinner and how you gathered your food from afar and no one is showing you appreciation don't say you are like the Proverbs 31 woman and they better RECOGNIZE! They won't get it and you're just being weird now.

Written by,

A proud mom of two very independent and creative boys. :)

Adventures in Self-Control

Source: positivelysplendid.com via Kim on Pinterest

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

One of the things I've been praying for this year is for our household to speak words of life, encouragement, respect and love to each other instead of the alternative. Stepping back from just letting life happen to me and seeing how my house runs was quite an eye-opener. All over the place people are ignoring each other and making tasks or entertainment more important than relationship. We are quick to anger, slow to forgive with performance seeming to be the salve to our wounds. I'm hearing belittling instead of encouraging and self is being lifted higher than our connections together. Unacceptable. And I'm definitely included in this disappointing scenario.

Now don't get me wrong everyone has bad days and things that make them quicker to anger.

But this was becoming our norm not the exception. So I've been praying.

And the thing about praying about this kind of change is that it requires action.

You can't pray, "Oh God get me out of this mess."; thinking you have nothing to do with the equation. I heard somewhere that the mother is responsible for creating the atmosphere in her own home. And then I read this:

A wise woman builds her home. But the foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. Proverbs 14:1

Guess I have some responsibility here.

Source: google.com via Faith on Pinterest

So I started by apologizing to my son Owen for fighting with daddy in front of him and for my disrespectful and unloving words. I told him that I want this to change in our house and I want it to change in me. If you want accountability tell your five year old because they will call you on your bad behavior no problem.

With my sons I try to encourage them in their passions and in perseverance for the harder things reminding them of how amazing they are. And with my husband I'm trying to check myself. Should I say this? Am I being sensitive, respectful, encouraging? I know I've got sensitivity blind spots right now so I'm praying that God would show them to me in a way I can handle. Grace. Mercy. Love.

So I'm straightening out my path before me( see proverbs below).

Source: anchor-s.tumblr.com via Christine on Pinterest

Trying to proactively change the atmosphere in my home with the Lord's help. Spending more time with God because out relationship with him comes peace, security, confidence, and so many more things. But the peace guards your heart out of which comes the wellsprings of life; making it easier to change the course of my words into words that are full of love instead of negativity.

Proverbs 4:20-27
20 My child, pay attention to what I say.
Listen carefully to my words.
21 Don’t lose sight of them.
Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
22 for they bring life to those who find them,
and healing to their whole body.
23 Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
24 Avoid all perverse talk;
stay away from corrupt speech.
25 Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
27 Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil.

Phil 4:7
Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Love this guy!

Proverbs 4:20-27

Karma?

I remember when I 1st got pregnant with my son Noah, how everyone assumed that he would be a girl. Not because of any scientific knowledge but based on the fact that I already had a boy.

How could I ever have another one?

Source: designspiration.net via Cat on Pinterest

These days when I talk about my son Noah attempting to jump off bunk beds, grab hot coffee, and run for exits everywhere I go most people say, "So your 1st son must be calm, right?"



Wrong.

My 1st son tried to climb up onto his changing table and into a window at about 9 months and he is usually full of more drama than I ever know what to do with.

So why is it that time and time again people assume that everything evens out in the end? Is this considered to be positive thinking or polite? Do we not like to believe that things could end up entirely different than you may have pictured? There are so many things that are out of our control. But would it be any better if it were in our control?

Would we want our children to be different?

Would we want our past to be different?

Would we want the outcome of everything turning out the way we'd planned?

I say no.
















Jess

Tomorrow is another day, fresh with no mistakes in it

Psalm 92:4
You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.

Source: tree-huggers.tumblr.com via Hope on Pinterest

I've been in kind of a funk this week. Ups and downs, good news and bad news. Last night was pretty bad as was this morning but there's always second chances.
Last night I had it with my 5 yr son who with renewed interest and vigor was ignoring me and doing whatever he wanted. He was also throwing himself on the ground and crying over his snack choices, tv show choices, seating choices, etc.

Source: google.ca via Cath on Pinterest

It was kinda like that.......over everything. So by nights end when it happened during storytime I went a little ballistic.
It looked nothing like this--->

Source: annetaintor.com via Marlene on Pinterest

After my explosion he went to his room and I put myself in the corner. I just sat next to my window frustrated praying and waiting for my anger to subside so I could do what I knew I needed to do which was to apologize. I didn't want to say sorry but you did......laundry list that makes it ok for me to be a jerk. I wanted to truly be sorry so my going in there would have purpose. Finally I calmed down, went in and said sorry and we had a good conversation. Then Owen, Noah and I all got in Owen's bed to read a few stories and go to sleep.
Today I had to get my attitude in check again after not communicating well with my husband. I realized a few things though. I am sick, I stopped caffeine this week, and I can't walk very well on my right foot. Things that don't help my mood although they shouldn't control it either. So today decided that I would take things into my own hands.

Source: flickr.com via Hope on Pinterest

Noah and I went to the Railroad Museum in town since my husband and 5yr old weren't interested. Noah and I climbed in and out of choo-choos and even paid a little extra to ride a train powered by a car engine. As I sat in the train car I began to perk up. I wasn't going past anything all that exciting but as we passed some old historic trains something nostalgic rose up in me. I remembered playing outside as kid and making things out of twigs and leaves and anything I could find. And I love history and my heart almost bursts when I see people pay homage to those that have come before us.

Anyways, I bought my husband some flowers after the train excursion and my 5yr old a Power Ranger on clearance just to say I loved them. I'm glad I have 2nd chances. I'm glad I'm not defined my shortcomings, mistakes and weeks that get stuck in funk.

This is to God, my husband and sons--->

Source: thesplitstitch.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Love, Jess

Breakfast Cookies

I thought I'd share this recipe since our family has recently made it a staple.

To me they taste like a cross between a good bran muffin and an oatmeal cookie.
What's most important though is that one batch is devoured is just a couple days and that's with mom(me) guarding them from secret eating.

Secret Eating- http://www.homestarrunner.com/marshie.html

The recipe is from the Sneaky Chef. I highly recommend her books. It sounds odd to put purees of vegetables or fruits in your food but I think it can take a lot of stress out of mealtime with toddlers. You still expect them to try at least a small amount of new things( new flavors, new veggies) but you're also getting them the nutrition they need without yelling "EAT IT!". Not that I would ever do that. This recipe does not have sneaky veggies though it is just a healthier "cookie".

This cookie has: Whole grains, calcium, protein, vitamins B & E, iron, potassium, folic acid & fiber

Breakfast Cookies & Milk:

2 cups whole grain cereal flakes(like wheaties or total)
3/4 cup flour mix( see below)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 large egg
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tsp vanilla
3/4 ricotta cheese
cinnamon sugar for dusting

Flour mix(make ahead recipe):
1 cup all purpose unbleached white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup wheat germ( or flax meal is what I used)

Directions-

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet w/parchment( or spray w/oil).
Using a rolling pin, gently crush the cereal( in a sealed plastic bag) into coarsely crushed flakes. They can also be pulsed in a food processor.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour mix, crushed cereal, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In another bowl, whisk together the egg, sugar, oil, vanilla and ricotta cheese. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mmix just enough to moisten the dry ingredients.
Drop spoonfuls onto the baking sheets, leaving about an inch between cookies. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar(tastes good without as well). Bake about 16 to 18 minutes, or until nicely browned and a bit crispy around the edges.

They should look like this-



And this is what happens when you try to take a picture of cookies-


Enjoy!

Taste & See Classes Rough Draft

Taste & See:
Picky Eater workshops and Cooking Adventures!

Class Objectives- To give parents and kids the tools to make good nutritious choices be excited about trying new things and to be connected with where our food comes from. Diving into a world where we use our senses to critique and make choices about new foods without living in “food fear.” All while having lots of food fun!

Classes:

Picky Eaters tasting workshops( or Choose Your Own Adventure!)- Foods are put into 2 or 3 categories starting with more familiar foods moving onto the more adventurous. Kids are encouraged to use all five senses to make opinions on spices, herbs, fruits and veggies. Kids will vote on trying one or more new items in a dish we will all help prepare and will take home a few recipes to try at home. Every class will touch on the importance of a balanced diet, the adventure of trying new things to figure out our own opinions, helping out in the kitchen and how different foods help our bodies. Every class has a different ending and we all leave with the pledge to be an adventurous eater trying at least one new thing a week!

How not to raise a Picky Kid!( Parents Session)- We all know that the main problem with teaching our kids to eat right is the power of free will. Here we will learn the tools to take home to help out even the pickiest kid. As a mom( and chef) of one very self- reliant, strong willed 4 yr old boy I have been through it all and want to pass on the knowledge. We will talk about defusing dinnertime battles, teaching our kids how to make good nutritious choices by getting them involved ( encouraging their independence and creativity) and not unknowingly adding to the problem.

We will choose one cheap and fast healthy meal to try during the class.

Each class goes home with recipes to try and the knowledge to begin cooking adventures with our kids!


Food Adventure Tours- Food Field trips for kids (parents can come along too!). Taking a tip from Mister Rogers and Sesame Street kids will get to know their culinary neighbors (or the people in their neighborhood) on a fun food tour. We will learn about where our food comes from and what it takes to get it to our table touring local artisans and farms. This will help to encourage independent nutritious choice while having fun and learning something new.