Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Classics Bookclub
It's time for the quarterly Classics Bookclub at 5 Minutes for Books. At this point in the year, I am really glad I read several books in the first quarter because I didn't read any classics in the third quarter!
This was my original list for the year:
Jane Eyre (Readable Classics)
Little Women
To Kill a Mockingbird
Gone with the Wind
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
So far this year, I've finished Jane Eyre, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (I LOVE this book), and Little Women. I plan to meet my goal of five classics for the year, but I am going to adjust my list slightly by removing Gone with the Wind and replacing it with the Readable Classics version of The Scarlet Letter
. I have this book ready to read. I plan to reread To Kill a Mockingbird as well (I read this book in high school).I have been a slacker the last few months, but I know I can meet my goal by the end of the year. To find out how others are doing with the Classics Challenge, be sure to visit 5 Minutes for Books!
Labels: Books
Monday, August 30, 2010
Phone Calls
My Best Girl's description of the difference between mom and dad's phone calls:
"Mom, when Dad is on the phone it is just 'Hello. Talk. Talk. Talk. Goodbye.'
With you, it is 'Hello. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk.' You talk forever!"
I guess she's picked up on the fact that mom and dad are very different when it comes to communication. :) In my defense, I don't talk on the phone that much. But any comparison between my phone calls and my husband's is bound to leave me looking like I talk incessantly!
"Mom, when Dad is on the phone it is just 'Hello. Talk. Talk. Talk. Goodbye.'
With you, it is 'Hello. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk.' You talk forever!"
I guess she's picked up on the fact that mom and dad are very different when it comes to communication. :) In my defense, I don't talk on the phone that much. But any comparison between my phone calls and my husband's is bound to leave me looking like I talk incessantly!
Labels: My Best Girl
Friday, August 27, 2010
Chicago, Part Two
We recently visited Chicago. To read about the first part of our trip, click HERE.
On day three of our trip, we headed to the Museum of Science and Industry. This museum is HUGE! There were so many exhibits to visit that we couldn't do them all. My Favorite Boy could have stayed longer, but after three hours, my Best Girl was wearing down. We did visit a submarine exhibit, a farm exhibit, an area for young children, and a weather exhibit (plus others that I can't remember). Although the MOSI is a little further away than most tourist spots in Chicago, I highly recommend it!
After we left the museum, we went back to Navy Pier for a boat ride. Several years ago, my husband and I were in Chicago, and I wanted to do an architectural boat tour. Unfortunately, it rained, and we couldn't fit it into our trip. This time around, I planned for the architectural tour, but I chose a company that also included a speed boat ride on Lake Michigan. I knew that would interest the kids! I was pleasantly surprised when my Favorite Boy loved all the architectural fun facts. He listened to everything the guide said. My Best Girl did not, but she enjoyed seeing ducks and kayaks along the way, and she thoroughly enjoyed the speed boat portion!
On the fourth day of our trip, we spent most of our time at the Lincoln Park Zoo, and we also visited the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The Zoo was great, but I have learned that we really aren't a zoo family. My Favorite Boy doesn't really care for them at all, and even though my Best Girl likes them better than her brother does, the zoo is not a the top of her favorites list. I do, however, like this family shot at the entrance!
After dinner, we enjoyed one last fun outing: we headed to the Sears Tower (this is technically the Willis Tower now, but no one called it that). At the Skydeck, they have added some retractable glass boxes that stick out from the top of the building. These were so cool! It felt like you were suspended in mid-air. The kids loved this.
We had a wonderful trip to Chicago, and it was fun to end the summer with a bang. Next trip: Disney World in November. I am sure no one is surprised by that!
On day three of our trip, we headed to the Museum of Science and Industry. This museum is HUGE! There were so many exhibits to visit that we couldn't do them all. My Favorite Boy could have stayed longer, but after three hours, my Best Girl was wearing down. We did visit a submarine exhibit, a farm exhibit, an area for young children, and a weather exhibit (plus others that I can't remember). Although the MOSI is a little further away than most tourist spots in Chicago, I highly recommend it!
After we left the museum, we went back to Navy Pier for a boat ride. Several years ago, my husband and I were in Chicago, and I wanted to do an architectural boat tour. Unfortunately, it rained, and we couldn't fit it into our trip. This time around, I planned for the architectural tour, but I chose a company that also included a speed boat ride on Lake Michigan. I knew that would interest the kids! I was pleasantly surprised when my Favorite Boy loved all the architectural fun facts. He listened to everything the guide said. My Best Girl did not, but she enjoyed seeing ducks and kayaks along the way, and she thoroughly enjoyed the speed boat portion!
On the fourth day of our trip, we spent most of our time at the Lincoln Park Zoo, and we also visited the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The Zoo was great, but I have learned that we really aren't a zoo family. My Favorite Boy doesn't really care for them at all, and even though my Best Girl likes them better than her brother does, the zoo is not a the top of her favorites list. I do, however, like this family shot at the entrance!
After dinner, we enjoyed one last fun outing: we headed to the Sears Tower (this is technically the Willis Tower now, but no one called it that). At the Skydeck, they have added some retractable glass boxes that stick out from the top of the building. These were so cool! It felt like you were suspended in mid-air. The kids loved this.
We had a wonderful trip to Chicago, and it was fun to end the summer with a bang. Next trip: Disney World in November. I am sure no one is surprised by that!Labels: Family and Friends, Fun, My Best Girl, My Favorite Boy
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
First Day of Kindergarten
My Best Girl enjoyed her first half-day of kindergarten! She looked like such a big girl as we walked into the school (except when she had her thumb in her mouth).
As soon as we entered the building, my Best Girl was greeted by one of my close friends who was working the school's welcome desk. She gave my friend a hug, and then we were off to her classroom. My Best Girl's teacher, Mrs. B., was very welcoming. She warmly greeted my Best Girl, and then they posed for a picture.
During the half-day, the children enjoyed centers, a story, a tour of the school, recess, and lunch. They also went over the rules of kindergarten. My Best Girl seemed to have a good day, but she was very tired. She is really going to be worn out next week when she starts full-time on Monday!
I am really excited for her, but I am going to miss her so much. It will be much calmer, quieter, and cleaner around here without my Best Girl to spice things up!
As soon as we entered the building, my Best Girl was greeted by one of my close friends who was working the school's welcome desk. She gave my friend a hug, and then we were off to her classroom. My Best Girl's teacher, Mrs. B., was very welcoming. She warmly greeted my Best Girl, and then they posed for a picture.
During the half-day, the children enjoyed centers, a story, a tour of the school, recess, and lunch. They also went over the rules of kindergarten. My Best Girl seemed to have a good day, but she was very tired. She is really going to be worn out next week when she starts full-time on Monday!I am really excited for her, but I am going to miss her so much. It will be much calmer, quieter, and cleaner around here without my Best Girl to spice things up!
Labels: My Best Girl
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
What's On My Nightstand - August
I'm running a little behind with my monthly Nightstand post, so here's a brief summary of the books in my pile.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
: My Favorite Boy and I are reading the series together. He lost interest for a little while, but he's wanting to start again. I am reading ahead of him, and I am about halfway through this book. It's fun to read them together!
Maker's Diet
: Because of my new interest in food and nutrition, a friend recommended this book to me. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Between Two Worlds
: This book has been in my pile for a while, and I finally started it this morning. It's about a journalist who was held in a prison in Iran, and it's fascinating so far. More to come in a review soon!
The Lovely Bones
: This book has also been in my pile for a while. I will read it this month!
The Scarlet Letter: The Classics Bookclub is quickly approaching. I really want to participate, so I am going to start the readable classics version of The Scarlet Letter this week. I read the original in high school, so I am excited to read this.
That's my pile! Be sure to visit 5 Minutes for Books to find other book suggestions.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
: My Favorite Boy and I are reading the series together. He lost interest for a little while, but he's wanting to start again. I am reading ahead of him, and I am about halfway through this book. It's fun to read them together!Maker's Diet
: Because of my new interest in food and nutrition, a friend recommended this book to me. I'm looking forward to reading it.Between Two Worlds
: This book has been in my pile for a while, and I finally started it this morning. It's about a journalist who was held in a prison in Iran, and it's fascinating so far. More to come in a review soon!The Lovely Bones
: This book has also been in my pile for a while. I will read it this month!The Scarlet Letter
: The Classics Bookclub is quickly approaching. I really want to participate, so I am going to start the readable classics version of The Scarlet Letter this week. I read the original in high school, so I am excited to read this.That's my pile! Be sure to visit 5 Minutes for Books to find other book suggestions.
Labels: Books
Monday, August 23, 2010
A Special Day
My Best Girl has had an eventful day. First, she got a call from her kindergarten teacher. She had her heart set on a certain teacher, and she got the one she wanted. I am hopeful this will help with the transition (she is very attached to me). She goes tomorrow for a half-day, and then she starts full-time next Monday.
In other exciting news, my Best Girl had a swim lesson today, and at the end of the lesson, she passed the swim test! This means she can go down the slides and swim without me in the deep end. My Best Girl is very proud of this green bracelet!
In other exciting news, my Best Girl had a swim lesson today, and at the end of the lesson, she passed the swim test! This means she can go down the slides and swim without me in the deep end. My Best Girl is very proud of this green bracelet!
Labels: My Best Girl
Brownies
On Friday, I made brownies. When I told my Best Girl that I was going to make them, she said, "Are they going to be healthy brownies?" I answered, "All brownies are treats." She replied, "Well, I want the bad for you kind. Really, really bad."
Alas, I did adapt the recipe to include some healthier ingredients, but the brownies were still yummy and very much like a mix. Here's the recipe.
1/2 c. sucanat (substituted for sugar)
2 T. butter
2 T. water
1 1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips (I used organic because regular chocolate chips are made with genetically modified soy; I am going to try homemade chocolate chips soon.)
2 eggs
1/2 t. vanilla
2/3 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and 8x8 or 8x10 dish (I used butter to grease the dish).
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the sucanat, butter, and water. Cook over medium heat until boiling.
3. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips until melted and smooth. Mix in the eggs and vanilla.
4. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the chocolate mixture. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
5. Bake for 25 minutes until brownies set up (I am going to bake a few minutes less next time because we like ours a little more moist and gooey). Cool in pan and cut into squares.
These turned out great, and no one guessed that they were a more healthy version. They passed as "really, really bad for you brownies", but I can be happy knowing I used some healthier ingredients. Once I make the the chocolate chips myself, I'll be really pleased with the recipe. I'll let you know how the chips turn out!
Alas, I did adapt the recipe to include some healthier ingredients, but the brownies were still yummy and very much like a mix. Here's the recipe.
1/2 c. sucanat (substituted for sugar)
2 T. butter
2 T. water
1 1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips (I used organic because regular chocolate chips are made with genetically modified soy; I am going to try homemade chocolate chips soon.)
2 eggs
1/2 t. vanilla
2/3 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and 8x8 or 8x10 dish (I used butter to grease the dish).
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the sucanat, butter, and water. Cook over medium heat until boiling.
3. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips until melted and smooth. Mix in the eggs and vanilla.
4. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the chocolate mixture. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
5. Bake for 25 minutes until brownies set up (I am going to bake a few minutes less next time because we like ours a little more moist and gooey). Cool in pan and cut into squares.
These turned out great, and no one guessed that they were a more healthy version. They passed as "really, really bad for you brownies", but I can be happy knowing I used some healthier ingredients. Once I make the the chocolate chips myself, I'll be really pleased with the recipe. I'll let you know how the chips turn out!
Friday, August 20, 2010
More Food Experiments
This week has been a good week as far as real food is concerned. Almost everything has been met with a stamp of approval from both kids and adults. I have to give credit to Heavenly Homemakers. This blog is FULL of recipes made from real, traditional ingredients. Laura is a mom who obviously loves to make food for her growing boys and her husband, and I am so thankful she is willing to share her family-friendly recipes! Almost everything I have tried has come from her site, and almost all her recipes have been hits with us.
(Click the links to see recipes)
Monday night, we enjoyed Cheddar Ranch Burgers (made with grass-fed beef), macaroni and cheese, and organic shoestring french fries that I cooked in a little bit of butter, coconut oil, garlic and onion (adapted from this recipe at Kelly the Kitchen Kop). I used the shoestring fries instead of cut-up potatoes because I thought the kids would like them better. Unfortunately, I realized after the fact that the fries had some canola oil in them, so I will probably just cut up real potatoes in a fancy, appealing-to-kids way next time. (If you wonder why I am avoiding industrialized vegetable oils and choosing traditional fats, I highly recommend the books Real Food
and In Defense of Food
. These books are full of well-researched information that will change the way you view your food and alter some preconceived notions about nutrition, particularly about fats and cholesterol.) This dinner went over well, and the kids and I were able to enjoy some of the leftover mac-n-cheese for dinner Wednesday night!
Tuesday night, we made homemade pizzas. Each of us had our own pizza: my Best Girl picked pepperoni, my Favorite Boy chose cheese, I chose green pepper, and Dad had pepperoni and green pepper. This was another success (although I will spread the crust a little thinner next time), and we had enough leftovers to save for another meal.
In the dessert and snack category, I made blackberry cobbler, chocolate pudding, vanilla wafers (YUM!), and cheese crackers this week. My Favorite Boy LOVES the chocolate pudding, and both kids liked the vanilla wafers. I have already raved about the cobbler: I enjoyed every bite. My husband and I liked the cheese crackers, but since they weren't just like Cheez-Its, they failed with my Favorite Boy and Best Girl.
All in all, this has been a fun food week. I hope to share more successes soon!
(Click the links to see recipes)
Monday night, we enjoyed Cheddar Ranch Burgers (made with grass-fed beef), macaroni and cheese, and organic shoestring french fries that I cooked in a little bit of butter, coconut oil, garlic and onion (adapted from this recipe at Kelly the Kitchen Kop). I used the shoestring fries instead of cut-up potatoes because I thought the kids would like them better. Unfortunately, I realized after the fact that the fries had some canola oil in them, so I will probably just cut up real potatoes in a fancy, appealing-to-kids way next time. (If you wonder why I am avoiding industrialized vegetable oils and choosing traditional fats, I highly recommend the books Real Food
and In Defense of Food. These books are full of well-researched information that will change the way you view your food and alter some preconceived notions about nutrition, particularly about fats and cholesterol.) This dinner went over well, and the kids and I were able to enjoy some of the leftover mac-n-cheese for dinner Wednesday night!Tuesday night, we made homemade pizzas. Each of us had our own pizza: my Best Girl picked pepperoni, my Favorite Boy chose cheese, I chose green pepper, and Dad had pepperoni and green pepper. This was another success (although I will spread the crust a little thinner next time), and we had enough leftovers to save for another meal.
In the dessert and snack category, I made blackberry cobbler, chocolate pudding, vanilla wafers (YUM!), and cheese crackers this week. My Favorite Boy LOVES the chocolate pudding, and both kids liked the vanilla wafers. I have already raved about the cobbler: I enjoyed every bite. My husband and I liked the cheese crackers, but since they weren't just like Cheez-Its, they failed with my Favorite Boy and Best Girl.All in all, this has been a fun food week. I hope to share more successes soon!
Labels: Real Food
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Chicago, Part One
The first week of August, we went to Chicago for an end-of-summer vacation. We had a wonderful time! The kids had never really been to a BIG city before, and they were amazed by the number of tall buildings and people and cars (and honking) everywhere. Although they thought the busyness was cool, my Favorite Boy did say it's too loud when you are trying to sleep in the city (I agree).
We arrived in Chicago on a Tuesday morning and headed to the Chicago Children's Museum. (We really took advantage of the membership to our local science museum during the trip. Most of the museums we visited have a reciprocal relationship with ours, so we got in free!) The CCM is geared toward young children, so my Best Girl especially liked it. She dug for dinosaur bones, played in the water area, and really enjoyed building things with Tinkertoys and large Erector sets. My Favorite Boy went for the physical activities, and he and Dad enjoyed the super-sized games. However, my Favorite Boy did not enjoy losing to Dad in checkers.
After the museum, we headed to Giordano's for my husbands favorite pizza in the world. I did break my healthy eating for one meal and had a couple of slices. I mean, you can't go to Chicago and not eat pizza, right? The kids couldn't believe how thick it was (we ordered a thin crust cheese pizza for them).
On Wednesday, we split up for some separate activities. My Favorite Boy and Dad went to the Cubs game. Thankfully, Dad now has a camera on his phone, so I have some evidence that they went to Wrigley field. The Cubs won 15-4, so it was a good day at the ballpark. The only downside was that it drizzled for most of the game. They were under the overhang, so they didn't get wet, but my Favorite Boy was hoping to run the bases after the game, and they cancelled this because they didn't want the field to get sloppy.
My Best Girl and I headed to American Girl Place for a special girls' day.
First, we took Sarah (the doll) to get her hair fixed. I was very impressed with most of our experience, but the hair salon was a rip-off. It only took the girl five minutes to finish. I did, however, learn that we should be spraying Sarah's hair with water when we brush it, so at least I got some helpful information.
As funny as it sounds, my Best Girl's favorite part of the American Girl Place was the bathroom. She loved it so much that we visited it four times. It was pink, purple, and completely girly. It was even equipped for the dolls: each stall had a doll holder. This was very well thought out, but amusing at the same time.
Our lunch was my favorite part. The restaurant was adorable, and my Best Girl and I enjoyed our four-course meal. The presentation of the food was so cute (the dessert was chocolate mousse in a flower pot with daisy, a flower shaped cake and butterfly cookie). Even Sarah got to enjoy the food.
We all met up in the afternoon and headed to Navy Pier for fun and fireworks. Both kids enjoyed the putt-putt course (even though it wasn't very nice). I guess it was an easy course because at some point, we all got holes-in-one. My Best Girl and I enjoyed the Ferris wheel while Dad and my Favorite Boy played a second game of putt-putt, and then we all watched the fireworks over Lake Michigan.
Our first two days in Chicago were so much fun! I'll post about the rest of our trip soon!
We arrived in Chicago on a Tuesday morning and headed to the Chicago Children's Museum. (We really took advantage of the membership to our local science museum during the trip. Most of the museums we visited have a reciprocal relationship with ours, so we got in free!) The CCM is geared toward young children, so my Best Girl especially liked it. She dug for dinosaur bones, played in the water area, and really enjoyed building things with Tinkertoys and large Erector sets. My Favorite Boy went for the physical activities, and he and Dad enjoyed the super-sized games. However, my Favorite Boy did not enjoy losing to Dad in checkers.
After the museum, we headed to Giordano's for my husbands favorite pizza in the world. I did break my healthy eating for one meal and had a couple of slices. I mean, you can't go to Chicago and not eat pizza, right? The kids couldn't believe how thick it was (we ordered a thin crust cheese pizza for them).
On Wednesday, we split up for some separate activities. My Favorite Boy and Dad went to the Cubs game. Thankfully, Dad now has a camera on his phone, so I have some evidence that they went to Wrigley field. The Cubs won 15-4, so it was a good day at the ballpark. The only downside was that it drizzled for most of the game. They were under the overhang, so they didn't get wet, but my Favorite Boy was hoping to run the bases after the game, and they cancelled this because they didn't want the field to get sloppy.
My Best Girl and I headed to American Girl Place for a special girls' day.
First, we took Sarah (the doll) to get her hair fixed. I was very impressed with most of our experience, but the hair salon was a rip-off. It only took the girl five minutes to finish. I did, however, learn that we should be spraying Sarah's hair with water when we brush it, so at least I got some helpful information.
As funny as it sounds, my Best Girl's favorite part of the American Girl Place was the bathroom. She loved it so much that we visited it four times. It was pink, purple, and completely girly. It was even equipped for the dolls: each stall had a doll holder. This was very well thought out, but amusing at the same time.
Our lunch was my favorite part. The restaurant was adorable, and my Best Girl and I enjoyed our four-course meal. The presentation of the food was so cute (the dessert was chocolate mousse in a flower pot with daisy, a flower shaped cake and butterfly cookie). Even Sarah got to enjoy the food.
We all met up in the afternoon and headed to Navy Pier for fun and fireworks. Both kids enjoyed the putt-putt course (even though it wasn't very nice). I guess it was an easy course because at some point, we all got holes-in-one. My Best Girl and I enjoyed the Ferris wheel while Dad and my Favorite Boy played a second game of putt-putt, and then we all watched the fireworks over Lake Michigan.
Our first two days in Chicago were so much fun! I'll post about the rest of our trip soon!Labels: Family and Friends, Fun, My Best Girl, My Favorite Boy
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Kid Picks
My Best Girl went for her kindergarten screening this morning. Next week, she will go one half-day, and on August 30th, she starts full-time. Since her brother is already in school all day, we have been enjoying some extra mommy-daughter reading time. One of the books she currently enjoys is On the Way to Kindergarten
. This book was a gift from Grammy and Papa, and it is a great one to start discussions about kindergarten. I know I have several more books about kindergarten around here, so I plan to get them out in the next week. I can't believe my baby is going to school!I am only sharing one title this month, but you can find lots more suggestions for kids at 5 Minutes for Books today!
Labels: Children's Books
Monday, August 16, 2010
Yum!
I love blackberry cobbler. Unfortunately, the recipe I have used for the past several years includes Bisquick, and I am trying to eliminate processed foods from my recipes. I was delighted to see the recipe that Lu uses for cobbler because it looked easy and yummy. To see if I could make it a little bit more healthy, I used organic sucanat (unrefined brown sugar) and whole wheat pastry flour instead of the white sugar and white flour. My butter and milk were from grass-fed cows, which gives them a little bit more of a nutritional punch. I was delighted when I tasted it! Truly, it was the best treat I have had in months, and I didn't even have to feel guilty about it.
I couldn't even wait to sample it before I took the picture. :)
Here is my revised recipe. Be sure to check out Lu's cooking site Meet Us in the Kitchen for the original. Lu got the recipe from Like Merchant Ships who included some great pictures of the step-by-step process.
First, toss the berries or chopped fruit with 1/4 cup organic sucanat (or sugar) and set aside. I used a little more than 2c. of blackberries.
Preheat the oven to 350 while the fruit releases its juice.
Next, melt one stick of butter in a casserole dish (8 x 10 or 8 x 8).
While the butter melts, combine dry ingredients with milk:
1 cup organic sucanat
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
2/3 cup milk
Pour batter over the butter. Don't mix!
Spoon fruit over the batter. Don't stir!
Bake for 40 minutes at 350.
Double this recipe for larger baking dishes.
Yummy. Yummy. Yummy. Lu, thanks so much for sharing your recipe. I will be using it often!
I couldn't even wait to sample it before I took the picture. :)
Here is my revised recipe. Be sure to check out Lu's cooking site Meet Us in the Kitchen for the original. Lu got the recipe from Like Merchant Ships who included some great pictures of the step-by-step process.First, toss the berries or chopped fruit with 1/4 cup organic sucanat (or sugar) and set aside. I used a little more than 2c. of blackberries.
Preheat the oven to 350 while the fruit releases its juice.
Next, melt one stick of butter in a casserole dish (8 x 10 or 8 x 8).
While the butter melts, combine dry ingredients with milk:
1 cup organic sucanat
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
2/3 cup milk
Pour batter over the butter. Don't mix!
Spoon fruit over the batter. Don't stir!
Bake for 40 minutes at 350.
Double this recipe for larger baking dishes.
Yummy. Yummy. Yummy. Lu, thanks so much for sharing your recipe. I will be using it often!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Woozy
Thanks to an EGD, I've been a little loopy this afternoon. I won't try to spell out the real name for an EGD, but basically, I had a lighted camera inserted into my throat, esophagus, and stomach. A few weeks ago, when my upper GI failed to show reflux, I quit taking Prilosec. Unfortunately, I have gotten worse and worse since then, and my throat feels like it is on fire ALL. THE. TIME.
Thankfully, the scope didn't show evidence of anything serious, but it really didn't show anything at all. So...maybe I do have reflux, maybe I don't. Who knows? I am so grateful that the doctor found nothing serious, but I do hope we can figure out something! It's frustrating because I know there is a problem, but I don't know what it is.
I guess my search for answers will wait until next week. For now, I am going to take it easy and go to bed early. My body hasn't recovered from my medically induced nap this afternoon!
Thankfully, the scope didn't show evidence of anything serious, but it really didn't show anything at all. So...maybe I do have reflux, maybe I don't. Who knows? I am so grateful that the doctor found nothing serious, but I do hope we can figure out something! It's frustrating because I know there is a problem, but I don't know what it is.
I guess my search for answers will wait until next week. For now, I am going to take it easy and go to bed early. My body hasn't recovered from my medically induced nap this afternoon!
Labels: Me
Thursday, August 12, 2010
First Day of School
My Favorite Boy started third grade today. You would think I would be used to the first day by now, but it doesn't get easier. Leaving him in that classroom makes me sad! I am excited about his teacher, and I know he will have a good year. I'll adjust soon enough, but for now, I miss him!
(The green bracelet on his arm is the bracelet that indicates he has passed the swim test and can use the slides and the deep end of the pool. He doesn't want to take it off. I guess he hasn't accepted that summer break is over.)
My Best Girl starts in two weeks, so we will have another first day soon!
(The green bracelet on his arm is the bracelet that indicates he has passed the swim test and can use the slides and the deep end of the pool. He doesn't want to take it off. I guess he hasn't accepted that summer break is over.)
My Best Girl starts in two weeks, so we will have another first day soon!Labels: My Favorite Boy
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
We Left. We're Back. We're Busy.
We spent last week in Chicago and had a wonderful time. I'll be posting about our fun adventures as soon as I catch up some around here. Since my Favorite Boy returns to school on Thursday, however, I am not spending much time catching up on things because we are trying to cram as much fun as possible into the next few days. In our district, kindergarten starts a few weeks after all the other grades, so I'll have a little time to spend with my Best Girl before she goes to school. I can't believe the summer is over. It flew by!
I'll be back in day or two to share about our trip!
I'll be back in day or two to share about our trip!
Labels: Me
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Some Hits and Misses, Part Two
Last week, I shared some of my recent food successes. Today I will share a few failures (some could be successes with a little tweaking.)
Slushie with Spinach: Okay, just looking at that, I'm sure you're thinking that it was bound to be a failure. The slushie had strawberries, peaches, and spinach, and the recipe promised that the spinach would not be noticeable. This was completely true. You couldn't taste the spinach at all. The flavor would have been great, except it wasn't sweet enough. I used the amount of stevia recommended in the recipe, but the slushie needed more. If I can figure out the right amount of sweetener, these would make great popsicles!
Enchiladas: I liked this recipe, but my husband felt it was too bland (I usually go for mild, so it makes sense that I liked it and he didn't). If I had added some onion and more kick to the filling, he would have enjoyed it more. As for the kids, they like chicken, they like cheese, and they like tortillas. So, why don't they like them all together?????? I think one of the challenges with making changes is that kids don't like things to be different. My kids decide that it looks different, so it must be awful. It's difficult to find success when they've made up their mind before they take a bite. I will not, however, be deterred! We're going to do better around here, and I think they will come around...eventually.
Meatloaf: I decided to take the Lipton Onion Soup Mix out of my meatloaf and replace it with fresh onion. All the other ingredients in the recipe were "real." Unfortunately, onion alone did not add the same kick as the soup mix. The meatloaf was very bland. My Best Girl usually loves meatloaf, but this was not a hit. I'll have to find a new recipe to try!
Macaroni and Cheese: On the same night as the meatloaf, I altered my mac-n-cheese recipe to include real cheddar (freshly shredded) instead of Velveeta. This didn't go over well either. I thought it was fine, but I am going to find a new recipe. I am learning that allrecipes.com is a great place, and I can check the reviews before trying a new dish out on my family. Hopefully, if lots of others like it, my family will, too!
Soaked Pancakes: I tried pancakes for breakfast on Monday. I thought these pancakes were SO good, but my kids thought they were a little too sour. I am wondering if a teaspoon of vanilla might help. I'll make a few adjustments and try again. (P.S. As I mentioned before, I really think that the kids rejected these because they were different, not because they weren't good. When I was discussing the pancake batter, I found out that my Favorite Boy thought his waffles from last week were made using Bisquick as usual. If he had known they were from scratch, he probably would have decided he didn't like them before trying them. I am glad he found out that they were different after eating them!)
Now you know a few things that have not wowed the crowd. I am sure I will have more strikeouts to share in the future, but I hope the number will be small in comparison to the homeruns! In closing, I would like to share what my Best Girl said during one of the meals she didn't like:
"Moooom, we don't want the healthy food. Just let us eat the chemicals!"
Slushie with Spinach: Okay, just looking at that, I'm sure you're thinking that it was bound to be a failure. The slushie had strawberries, peaches, and spinach, and the recipe promised that the spinach would not be noticeable. This was completely true. You couldn't taste the spinach at all. The flavor would have been great, except it wasn't sweet enough. I used the amount of stevia recommended in the recipe, but the slushie needed more. If I can figure out the right amount of sweetener, these would make great popsicles!
Enchiladas: I liked this recipe, but my husband felt it was too bland (I usually go for mild, so it makes sense that I liked it and he didn't). If I had added some onion and more kick to the filling, he would have enjoyed it more. As for the kids, they like chicken, they like cheese, and they like tortillas. So, why don't they like them all together?????? I think one of the challenges with making changes is that kids don't like things to be different. My kids decide that it looks different, so it must be awful. It's difficult to find success when they've made up their mind before they take a bite. I will not, however, be deterred! We're going to do better around here, and I think they will come around...eventually.
Meatloaf: I decided to take the Lipton Onion Soup Mix out of my meatloaf and replace it with fresh onion. All the other ingredients in the recipe were "real." Unfortunately, onion alone did not add the same kick as the soup mix. The meatloaf was very bland. My Best Girl usually loves meatloaf, but this was not a hit. I'll have to find a new recipe to try!
Macaroni and Cheese: On the same night as the meatloaf, I altered my mac-n-cheese recipe to include real cheddar (freshly shredded) instead of Velveeta. This didn't go over well either. I thought it was fine, but I am going to find a new recipe. I am learning that allrecipes.com is a great place, and I can check the reviews before trying a new dish out on my family. Hopefully, if lots of others like it, my family will, too!
Soaked Pancakes: I tried pancakes for breakfast on Monday. I thought these pancakes were SO good, but my kids thought they were a little too sour. I am wondering if a teaspoon of vanilla might help. I'll make a few adjustments and try again. (P.S. As I mentioned before, I really think that the kids rejected these because they were different, not because they weren't good. When I was discussing the pancake batter, I found out that my Favorite Boy thought his waffles from last week were made using Bisquick as usual. If he had known they were from scratch, he probably would have decided he didn't like them before trying them. I am glad he found out that they were different after eating them!)
Now you know a few things that have not wowed the crowd. I am sure I will have more strikeouts to share in the future, but I hope the number will be small in comparison to the homeruns! In closing, I would like to share what my Best Girl said during one of the meals she didn't like:
"Moooom, we don't want the healthy food. Just let us eat the chemicals!"
Labels: Real Food
