Pauls home...let's eat.

While Paul was out of town I lost 6 lbs! That's amazing! I really buckled down and ate super good and exercised a ton. Now Paul is back.... I love when Paul's home, but it makes eating healthy a challenge. I try to pin down why that is.....and I've come to the conclusion that I just love Paul. And when we are together I want to have fun with him every min. I want to go to fancy restaurants, eat desert in bed,and surprise my man with yummy goodies. Also Paul has a major sweet tooth.


This attitude isn't exactly bad. It's just not conducive to dieting. But considering the fact that Paul is only home 4 1/2 days in the next 2 weeks I think I can indulge a little bit when he's here.


Paul travels a lot and that make being a mother a little harder. It's all on me a lot of the time. Any woman who experiences this knows there are tricky aspects to this situation. Lets just start with the fact that there is no one to take care of the technical difficultys....Jonas helps when he can, but there have been many times that I have said "the computer isn't working?....oh, well you'll have to wait a week until your dad gets home."that never goes over well. You also have to drop off and pick up everyone, every time. All bedtime stories and kisses and complaints are handled by you and you alone. All question and needs have to be aswered by you.


Sometimes though, handling your spouse who travels is even harder then taking care of the kids. It's a tricky situation. Paul will call me at the worst times....like while I'm putting the kids to bed or making dinner or driving them to lessons. He's lonely and needs some attention, but all of mine is being directed at the kiddos. And then there are the times when I call him, because I'm lonely and I miss having him next to me and he is in a meeting or a sleep because he's in a later time zone. Most of the time our phone calls are hit and miss. It creates a little tension because we worry about each other and our relationship when he is away.


Traveling is hard on both of us, so when he gets home I want to soak up every min with him. And indulge in fancy dates and fancy food. I'm glad he's back for a day or two and if he wants to cuddle with me in bed and eat a dish of ice cream. I'll have a 1/2 cup and be grateful he's next to me.

Crack Cake

I had grand plans to make it through the weekend without falling off the wagon....It was a lofty goal. A goal which unfortunately I did not reach. I could make lots of excuses...but mostly it comes down to one thing..... junk food (meaning high calorie delicious goodness) it's my crack. Once i give in to it's heavily temptation I'm done for. This doesn't last forever just a good month or so. I seem to have to get it out of my system, once I do then I can have a doughnut or a plate of french fries and go right back to eating healthy. I really need to make it through a weekend.


I lost almost 3 lbs this week! Good for me, right? Well, it was until I gained it all back in 2 days. 2 days of glutenous fun. A Dunford doughnut, some bread pudding, yummy Thai food, and a fancy dinner with Paul at a new restaurant.


Now it's Sunday night and I'm jumping back on the wagon. I actually have a good chance to make it through this next weekend. Paul is out of town this week ( he is defiantly an enabler) until Saturday night.


I did find another tasty recipe. It wasn't as great as the last one, but it was only 339 calories for a good sized portion. It was also pretty easy and you can freeze it.



Baked Penne With Meat Sauce



8 ounces dried penne
1 14-ounce can whole italian-style tomatoes
1/2 of a 6 ounce can italian style tomato paste
1/4 cup dry red wine or tomato juice
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup sliced pitted olives
1/4 cup green pepper
3 cloves of minced garlic
2 Tbs fresh basil
1/2 cup shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese (in all honesty I added a little more)
Salt as needed (i felt like it needed quite a bit)



Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well.


Meanwhile, in a blender container or food processor bowl combine undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, wine or tomato juice, sugar, dried oregano, and pepper. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Set aside.


In a large skillet cook ground beef or turkey and onion, green pepper, and garlic until meat is brown. Drain off fat, stir in tomato mixture, bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 min. Stir in pasta, fresh basil and olives.


Spoon pasta mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish, Bake covered, in a 375 degree oven for 30 min. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered about 5 min more or until cheese is melted. Makes 6 servings.


Nutrition Facts per Serving: 339 cal., 11 g total fat, 59 mg chol., 349 mg sodium, 33 g carbo., 3 g fiber, 24 g pro.

We are all in this together.

A friend of mine and I were exchanging text all day yesterday. Texts encouraging each other not to eat doughnuts....not to snap at our children and husbands because of the hunger.....reminding each other that we are worth it and strong enough. It's nice to know that someone has your back and knows how you are feeling. Now to be perfectly honest this same friend is also the fist person to convince me to indulge on that tempting desert or yummy appetizer and I do the same for her. So we either diet together or we fail together.....but no matter what we are in it together. So this post is for this friend.....WE CAN DO IT! RAW RAW SHUSH CUM BA!!


So last night for dinner I made the yummiest dish. It was only 360 calories and was jam packed with flavor!! It was a little involved but totally worth it, my kids even loved it and my husband wouldn't stop talking about how much he enjoyed it....


Chicken-Scallion Rice Bowl

Directions

6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth ( I added a teaspoon of better then bouillon)

2 cups water

2 tablespoons mirin

1 tablespoon fish sauce

1 bunch scallions (about 6)

4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, caps thinly sliced, stems reserved

1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced

6 garlic cloves, sliced ( I added 2 extra cloves because my cloves were small)

1 small bunch basil, plus basil leaves, for serving

1 large chicken breast (about 12 ounces)

1/2 to 1 red jalapeno, thinly sliced (seeds and ribs removed for less heat, if desired)

1 cup frozen shelled edamame, thawed

3 ounces (1 cup) julienned jicama

Kosher salt

2 cups hot cooked brown rice

Lime wedges, serving suggestion

Combine the broth, water, mirin, and the fish sauce in a large saucepan. Cut all but one scallion into 1-inch pieces and add to the broth with the mushroom stems, ginger, garlic and bunch basil. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and continue to simmer until reduced by half, about 45 minutes. Remove the solids from the broth using a strainer or slotted spoon and discard.

Add the chicken, sliced mushroom caps, and jalapeno to the broth; adjust heat to keep the broth at a gentle simmer and cook 12 to 14 minutes or until the chicken is just cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and slice into 1-inch pieces.

Remove the broth from the heat; Stir in the edamame, jicama, and sliced chicken. Season to taste with salt. Scoop 1/2 cup of the cooked rice in each bowl and ladle some of the soup over it. Slice the reserved scallion on an angle and sprinkle over each bowl along with the basil leaves. Serve with lime wedges, if desired.

I got this recipe from the food network web sight.

Nutritional analysis per serving (without lime wedges)

Calories 360 ; Total Fat 6g (Sat Fat 1.1g, Mono Fat 1.6g, Poly Fat 1.1g) ; Protein 36g; Carb 39g; Fiber 6g; Cholesterol 49mg; Sodium 645mg

The Kitchens Clean....Now What?

Do you ever feel if you clean your kitchen one more time you might lose your mind?.....or sweep up the same floor, vacuum that same carpet, pick up those legos and scrub that toilet…..clean the glass on the coffee table, pick up the same shoes, coats, backpacks, dolls …………AHAHAHAHHAHHAH! I think I just might go crazy….I may already be there.

All my kids are in school the entire day for the first time this year. At first I thought “the world is my oyster! I can do whatever I want!” And I guess in some ways that’s true. But the house still needs to be cleaned and groceries’ still need to be shopped for, the same laundry has to be done…..it’s endless. So day in and day out I do the same things I did when I had all my children at home….I just do it without company. At first I would blast my music (songs that I don’t want my kids listening to) and I thought this is great…as I danced around the kitchen. But I’m bored with the songs…and let’s face it I’ve never been much of a dancer.

I always thought I would have more children…but alas I think my eggs are old or I could blame it on Paul’s tight briefs…whatever the reason the baby isn’t coming and it’s time to find something to put in its place. I know I could get a job, (not a good one) but I want to be there when My kids need me…and financially I can do that so why not? The perfect job would be one where I could stay home and bake all day!! I LOVE BAKING!!

That brings me to my next problem…since December I’ve gained 10 LBS!! (Because of the baking.) I know I need to lose the dreaded weight…..I lost 52 lbs a year ago and I don’t intend on gaining it back no matter how tasty my cakes are. But If I take baking out of my life I’m just left with cleaning the kitchen…sigh.

So I’m trying this blog as a compromise. Instead of eating I will type…and exercise. And maybe in the journaling process I can figure out what to do with my days. I figure I will post some of the healthy recipes I will be trying, (because let’s face it for every one yummy low calorie meal there are 10 sick ones) So I will try them out on my family and bring only the good ones back to you. And then I was thinking every Friday I would allow myself to bake something sinful and I will give you that recipe as well. BALANCE IN ALL THINGS! I will fill you in on the weight loss or gain..gulp!

I’ll start my recipe sharing with something delicious but terrible for you…..enjoy

Chocolate Hi- Hats

I make these in mini cupcakes because I think It’s the perfect size for the major flavor.

Cake ingredients

1 package devil’s food cake mix

1 package chocolate instant pudding mix

1 8 ounce container of sour cream

4 large eggs

½ cup vegetable oil

½ cup warm water

Preheat the oven to 350

Combine cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, eggs, vegetable oil and water in a large mixer bowl: beat on low speed until just blended. Beat on medium speed for 2 min. fill the mini cup cake cups about 2/3 full.

Bake for about 8- 10 min. Cool in pans for 5 min and then remove to wire racks and cool completely.

Seven –Minute Frosting (big lie it’s more like 15 min frosting)

1 ¼ cups sugar

1/3 cup water

3 Large egg whites

¼ teaspoon cream of tartar

1 tsp teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon almond extract.

Make the frosting. Put the sugar, water, egg whites, and cream of tartar in a heatproof bowl or the top of the double boiler with at least a 2-quart capacity and beat with a handheld electric mixer on high speed until opaque, white and foamy, about 1 minute, Put the bowl over, but not touching, a saucepan of barely simmering water (or the bottom of the double boiler). The top container should sit firmly over the pan of hot water; be sure to keep the cord of the electric mixer away from the burner. Beat on high speed until the frosting forms stiff peaks, about 12 to 15 min (7 min is a freaking lie). Remove the container of frosting from the water add the vanilla and almond extracts’, and continue beating for 2 min to further thicken the frosting.

Put the frosting in a pastry bag and make a swirl on top of the cupcake. I put them in the fridge for a min before I dip them in the chocolate glaze.

Chocolate Glaze

2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips or chopped semisweet chocolate

3 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil

Melt in the microwave for one min then stir and a couple more seconds….make sure you do not burn the chocolate…let the chocolate cool for a min or two and then you can dip the tops of the cupcakes.

Enjoy chocolate heaven!!

Whats the matter with moms these days

Grace got her dance evaluation last week, when I first opened it I have to admit I got a little angry.....OK, maybe for a second I was red hot furious. Shamefully, I admit, for a min I thought I am NOT going to show her this. You see, Dancing is Grace's favorite thing in the world. She takes lessons at The Dance Club in Orem and she is on a team this year. It requires A LOT of dedication.....she goes to dance for 5 hrs a week and more if there is a performance or competition. One week she spent 14 hrs at dance.....some of it was just waiting around at rehearsals and some was performance time....but still for a 6 yr old that is a BIG commitment. I have often felt torn at the amount of time she spends at dance.......but she loves it. Even when she is not at the studio she is dancing in her room. She never complains (but i do a lot, not to her, but to anyone else who will listen)....she has missed her birthday....family parties...ect, ect.....She has gone to dance sick, pretty much a requirement if it's a week before a performance....Yet I have NEVER heard her complain. She is dedicated.

So naturally when her evaluation wasn't perfect....I got angry. But then, I took a deep breath and read it again. It wasn't terrible, it was actually pretty good. And all the scores that were low.......well, when I read her teachers comments, I had to agree. So I sat down with my princess (who was eager awaiting her first report card ever) and explained to her, that this was a tool for her to get better and that it wasn't going to only say that she was perfect. And that she has to be able to take criticism if she want to be a truly good dancer. As I went through her evaluation with her, she handled it with nothing but "grace". She acknowledged her needing improvement in the categories sighted and she was pleased in the praise she got. Then she went up to her room to practice. I was so proud.

Well yesterday her dance teacher sent home a note. She felt the need to explain her evaluation, because apparently many of the mothers called to complain......many of them felt that red hot anger that I felt when I first read it and didn't take that moment to read it again. I understand how these mothers felt. We dedicate a lot of time and MONEY to this dance club. We sacrifice hours at rehearsals and buying costumes and finding all the hundreds of little things that they need in there bag at all times. We watch as our little girls work so hard for their teachers. I once watched as Grace sat on her knees on a hard wood floor for 20 min as the older girls in their number practiced their part.....all the little girls just sat there with their backs strait....waiting. So naturally we want the teachers to all say...."your time and energy and money has been well spent, your daughter is the most perfect dancer ever...the end".

But that is where the problem lies today....I think are children too often are shielded from criticism. They are told they are perfect in every way....everyone gets a trophy. I remember I once came to my mother and told her I was having a problem with a friend.....she didn't want to play with me anymore. I thought my mom would tell me that my friend was to blame......but, she didn't. She said " Sarah, it seems like that is happening a lot lately......maybe you should look at your behavior and what kind a friend YOU are".....At first I was mad. But then I realized she was right, I was at fault.

Self reflection and improvement could be one of the most important things we teach our children. They need to be able to take criticism and grow from it. I know I need to be better at this.....I need to learn to be less protective and more focused on making my children into competent, and independent men and woman. Just like Grace's dance teacher is trying to make her be a great dancer.

My Education

I went to a Private School for first grade. My mother says I was the cutest thing ever and my teacher was a push over.....if I didn't feel like doing something.....I didn't have to. Also my sweet little brother Jake went to preschool there, he didn't like it much....so when he would cry they would bring in his big sister to calm him down. Needless to say when I entered 2nd grade in public school it wasn't long until my teacher showed up at our house (they did that way back then) to tell my mother I wasn't ready for 2nd grade. I remember crying in front of a mirror .....very dramatic! So I repeated 1st grade.....not a good start for my academic career....and it sort of explains my spelling.

I loved my second grade teacher....but that's all I really remember about it. 3rd grade was a disaster.....I talked ALL the time. We had these punch cards and if you got a certain amount of punches then you couldn't go to Lagoon at the end of the year......I was the ONLY 3rd grader who couldn't go. Cried in front of a mirror again.

In 4th grade I started a new school. I hated it and apparently I started eating my feeling because I got a little chubby. I had a hard time making friends. But we did make homemade root beer that year......so that was good. Oh and I was still flunking all my spelling tests.

5th grade was my most painful year! My brother told people my name was Bertha and in "big Bertha". I would chase boys around the playground telling them I wanted to marry them. My only friends were the other girl with hairy armpits and the girl who wet her pants once. (and if either read my blog....I was in the same boat) My grades were fine...but definitely not great!

6th grade I stated to thin out a bit....which made life easier. But my period started...and no one should have to deal with that on a mini toilet. I started to do sort of well in math, but spelling....not so great!

7th grade .......BOYS= bad grades! I got my first "boyfriend" but he tried to hold my hand, so we broke up.

8th grade......Boys= bad grades!

9th grade......high school boys = REALLY bad grades! My parents grounded me for 3 month until the next report card came out. I pulled my grades up. and I kept pulling them up! Ended the year pretty strong! But the biggest news of nineth grade was my "senior boyfriend" we never dated or held hands or anything....but he was my boyfriend. And he wore a cherry pie t-shirt and short overalls......Hot!

10th grade not much happened. Got pretty good grades and I was really into drama.

11th grade my only year of school that I actually felt really proud of. I got great grades....I was Jr class president. My first kiss (at 17....remember that children)

12th grade I just glided by.....I knew I wouldn't get into BYU so I settled on UVSC . And stopped trying. I took like 3 real classes then a lot of stupid electives. But I did have a lot of fun.

UVSC........well it had the hall of flags....or should I say the hall of distractions! I just would walk down the hall talk to someone and then miss class....not good. I was put on academic probation and the end of my second year....

Why have I told you all of this.....First to explane my sigh of relief and the PRIDE that my children do so FANTASTIC in school. They all take it seriously....Thanks in most part to my husband who is inches away from 2 PHDs....wow amazing example for my babies!! And because my kindergartner starts 1st grade next year and I will have 6 hours a day to myself and I am at a loss of what to do. I always thought I would have more kids....so now what.
Well I've been contemplating my education and weather or not I should give it another try. I am not a student....and I don't know if I have the ability to be one. But I don't think ending my education on academic probation is exactly the example I want to be to my children........


I know I'm a lot more then my education gives me credit for.......I just wonder how much more I could be with a little more education.......

Do I really need to say this again?

As mothers don't we all get sick of saying the same things over and over and over and over again.......I sure do. There are some things that I have been saying almost every day since the picture above was taken, and I'll probably be saying these same things until they go on a mission or off to college. Let me share some of these sayings with you...

1. Do you have underwear on? Put on your underwear. Nick I just put away a week and a half worth of laundry and it didn't have any undies in it.....

2. GO TO BED! Quiet down. Go to sleep. ......Do you want 3 jobs tomorrow?

3. Gross.

4. Stop making that sound.....let's play the quiet game....whoever says another word gets a job.

5. Take the dog out....let the dog in....take the dog out.....let the dog in

6. Guys when you clean your room please put the DIRTY laundry in the hall......not the CLEAN laundry, only the DIRTY laundry....if I see any clean laundry you'll get another job...(needless to say I will go up the check said laundry and find clean clothes that are still FOLDED in the pile...seriously)

7.Brush your teeth....let me look and your teeth....you didn't brush your teeth ....go brush your teeth.

8. The floor is not a garbage.

9. Your bored.....I can find you some thing to do.

10. Gross.

11. Eat one more bite...three more bites....five more bites....BIG BITES...

12. Flush the toilet...who didn't flush the toilet....Gross

13. Throw away your paper plate but not your fork.......who threw away their fork?

14. Put on your coat....were is your coat....didn't you bring a coat to school

15. Wash those hand....wash your face....wash your FEET

16. Gross

17. put on socks....where are your socks...whats that smell, Joe i told you to wear socks.

18. who wants a job....because I have a lot of stuff I want done.

The list goes on and on.....I just thought i should record it so one day when my kids are complaining that their children don't listen, I can remind them that they didn't either. Of course I'm not talking about the princess.....she's an angel ;)