Thank you, Teachers!

My boys are both in preschool this year and they both have wonderful teachers! As an end-of-the-school-year thank you gift, they decorated reusable water bottles and made snack mix for their teachers.

I didn't take any pics of the water bottle decorating, but here is a picture of the snack mix making:

Our snack mix was really simple. It includes Honey Nut Cheerios, Chickadees (cheesy bird-shaped crackers), Pretzel Goldfish and M&Ms.

We did equal parts Cheerios, Chickadees and goldfish. I did a smaller portion of M&Ms (about 3/4 the amount of the other ingredients).
Here's a copy of what I wrote on the note I made to go with the snack mix:

A special snack mix to thank you for all you do!
Cheerios to thank you for always cheering on my child.
A school of Goldfish to thank you for making school a place my child loves.
Chickadees to thank you for teaching my little chickadee so much.
M&Ms to thank you for your sweetness.

I really am so thankful for all that these teachers do.

Photo Update

I've blogged several times recently, but did not include photos so here is a quick photo update.

The cupcakes I made for J's 5th birthday party:

He asked for a "pajama party" so I thought they were appropriate. The blankets are made out of Starburst. The feet are jellybeans. The faces are mini Nilla wafers and the pillows and bodies are halved marshmallows.

J eating his cupcake at his party:


J with his Lego Police Mobile Unit (his gift from us):He built the whole 400+ piece set by himself. It took several hours over two days and I was really impressed.

Finally, here is a picture of my currently one-sleeved sweater.
Hope to finally start the second sleeve tonight.

Delicious Cheddar Dill Biscuits

I've been using the website relishrelish.com for the last month or so to get new recipes to cook each week. You can print 5 recipes (each recipe includes an entree and a side) each week and the site also generates a shopping list for you. I have not made all 5 of the recipes most weeks, but I've tried a bunch and have really enjoyed it. I'm cooking more and enjoying it.

Anyway, a few weeks ago I made a Robust Vegetable Soup and Cheddar Dill Biscuits. The soup was okay, but the biscuits were delicious. Tonight I made a Peruvian Quinoa Stew. Instead of the suggested side, I made the Cheddar Dill Biscuits again--with a few substitutions. Anyway, the stew was okay, but the biscuits were divine. Just had to share.


Cheddar Dill Biscuits (makes 12-15)
adapted from the recipe on relishrelish.com

1 1/2 cups Heart Smart Bisquick
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

5 tablespoons butter, softened, cut into bits

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons freeze-dried dill (can sub fresh, chopped)

3/4 cup sour cream (can sub in plain yogurt, but it's not as good)
1/3 cup milk (I used skim)


Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Using an electric mixer (I used a hand mixer), mix flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add butter and mix until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add cheddar cheese and dill and mix until just combined.

In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream and milk, then add to flour mixture and mix with a spoon until dough just comes together. Spoon tablespoon-size mounds of dough onto an ungreased large baking sheet (12 to a baking sheet). Bake until puffed and golden, about 12 to 15 minutes.

Enjoy! These turned out so light and fluffy and moist. Yum!

Create...a healthier me

In my attempt to change my lifestyle and create a healthier me, I am trying to work out.

Today was Day 3 of using our treadmill. Yes, we own a treadmill. It's really B's as he's the only one who has ever used it on a regular basis.

I've done a pre-programmed 30 minute routine on the treadmill for the last three days. I did Program 1 (the easiest) for the first two days and Program 2 today. Program 2 kicked my butt. I am SO out of shape. I made it through the 30 minutes, but I was sweating a ton and way tired by the end. Pathetic, but true. I even jogged a bit when it went up to a whopping 4 mph.

Yes, I think this is reinforcing my need to workout more. Let's hope my knees don't start protesting. More importantly, let's hope I can do this regularly for more than a week or two.

Still trying to eat healthier and have started using Relish to plan meals. They are bit more complicated than my usual meals, but it's nice to plan them out in advance and try new things.

Here are pics of a few I've tried:
Robust Vegetable Soup with Cheddar Dill Biscuits (those biscuits were GOOD)

Pasta Fresco (cheese tortellini, prosciutto, Parmesan cheese, spinach, garlic, pine nuts)

Tangy Garden Salad (tomato, red onion, fresh Italian parsley, balsamic vinaigrette, lemon juice)

Other meals have included Lemon-Garlic Kebabs with Gorgonzola Dipping Sauce and Bistro French Fries with Parsley and Golden Fish Sticks. I picked the fish sticks for the boys, but neither of them would try them.

Of course, J hasn't tried any of these, but N has eaten and enjoyed a few.

So that's the "healthier me" for now. Will try to keep posting here in order to keep myself accountable and on track. Wish me luck!

Of course, since I started working out, my house is getting less and less clean. Must figure out a better way to fit it all in.

Create...a healthier me

As I mentioned one of my goals for this year is to create a healthier me (and also a healthier family). One way I've been doing this is by making smoothies. I usually make one at least every other day. I've been trying to get the boys to try them, but so far they haven't liked them (or usually even tried them). Oh well. I'm really enjoying them. So far I've had blueberry/cucumber, banana/peanut butter /dash of espresso, and peach/blackberry/spinach. All have been good and my fruits and vegetables intake has increased dramatically (sad, but true).

Tonight I created a homemade pizza which was delicious.


It had fire-roasted tomatoes (instead of pizza sauce), a little bit of bacon, a little bit of maple-glazed ham, a little bit of shredded Italian cheeses and Montchevre goat cheese. It was really good!

I also had a spinach salad with apple pear, walnuts, crumbled goat cheese and a blush wine vinaigrette.

Yum! Let's hope I can keep up the motivation to create more healthy and interesting meals for me and my family. (For those who are wondering, no my boys did not try either of these delicious items. Oh well.)

Yum!

Not sure what it is this week, but I am having serious cravings for baked goods...and I am NOT a baker.

Just looked through my November Everyday Food magazine and I want to make every dessert in there:
Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pecan-Chocolate Chip Pie
Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins
Citrus-Glazed Pumpkin-Carrot Cake
Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Dulce de Leche
Pumpkin-Chocolate Tiramisu
I want them all!

Unfortunately, B isn't a big pumpkin fan and the boys aren't always adventurous when it comes to food--although N will usually go for any dessert. I don't think I can eat all these myself without being a two-ton-Tessy.

Anyone want to come over for dessert?