I have a lot to say about the whole “what’s really in your food” statement, but I got this email today from Eat This Not That and I thought it was worth a quick share. Their list discusses what’s really in some of your favorite fast food and convenience items. Pretty interesting, check it out!
So get out there and be an example of kindness and respect to your kids and to others!
The world thanks ya!
*Amazon Affiliate Link
This is one of our family favorites. It’s easy, it’s quick, it’s delicious! Oh, and it makes a big ol’ pot of soup. Thanks to my dear friend Teri, who gave me this recipe years ago! (except I may have changed it?!)
White Chicken Chili
Ingredients:
4 cups cooked shredded chicken
1 onion and 2 cloves of garlic, sauteed together
3 cans northern beans, drained and rinsed
6 cups chicken broth
1 (8oz) can Rotel (tomatoes with green chilies)
2 tsp ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp ground cloves
So I basically throw this all in a pot and bring to a simmer. Cook until warmed through and the beans are soft, but not mushy. Also works great in a crock pot! Just leave the beans for the last 10-15 minutes so they don’t get mushy. We like to eat it over cooked elbow noodles. It is also good over tortilla chips. Whatever you do, top it with shredded cheese and sour cream. Please, I’m begging you.
Enjoy!
This post linked to:
Beauty and Bedlam’s Tasty Tuesday
11th Heaven’s Homemaker Monday
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
I heard about this wonderful coffee concoction from a local health food store a long time ago and was told my good friend that she drank it as well and loved the results. I enjoy the flavor and the health benefits are amazing! If you are a coffee drinker and looking for a way to make it more health beneficial and less full of high fructose corn syrup flavored coffee creamer and hip enlarging white sugar (totally talking to myself here) then give this a try!
Here is some info that I found from ehow.com to help explain the why and how of this hormone balancing coffee drink:
I receive the Love and Logic Parenting Insider’s Club newsletter (which I LOVE, by the way) and I got this little tid-bit in my inbox the other day. I just loved what it said and wanted to share it with you! I added a few of my own thoughts in italics. Cause I like to get in the last word and stuff.
Do your kids wipe their feet on you like a doormat? Do you ever find yourself grieving because you’ve lost the dream of having kind, appreciative kids?
You’re not alone, and there are steps you can take to begin turning things around.
* On a daily basis, remind yourself that you deserve to be treated with the same level of respect with which you treat your kids. (This means you should be, you know, respecting your kids)
Maintaining this attitude of self-respect gives us the intestinal fortitude to expect respect in a respectful way.
* Don’t move on until you’ve neutralized arguing. (For the love of all things good and holy, DO NOT ARGUE WITH YOUR KIDS)
This means repeating something like, “I love you too much to argue,” instead of getting pulled into a debate.
* When you become good at neutralizing arguments, begin setting small yet completely controllable limits.
Pick small issues that you have total control over. Then set limits you are prepared to enforce. For example: “I’ll get that for you when I hear ‘please.'” (It’s easy to forget to respond to bad behavior because you are used to it, like when someone screams, “Get me water!” you do. Don’t do it! EXPECT better behavior! Be on guard!)
Since you’ve already mastered the ability to stay out of arguments, you’ll be prepared for your child’s reaction.
* Remember to model an assertive, respectful and empathetic attitude.
When we’ve been treated badly by our kids, it’s easy to fall into the trap of providing consequences with a “get-even” attitude. If we do, our kids will sense this and rebel. (ie: I’ll give you something to cry about it ain’t gonna cut it, try instead: “Ohhh, this is so sad. When you can speak to me nicely I’ll be happy to listen to you.” and walk away from the smart mouthed kid before your urge to slap ’em upside the head emerges. What?!)
* Begin to set progressively larger limits.
When our youngsters begin to see that we can handle smaller situations without backing-down or losing our cool, it becomes easier to set and enforce limits over big issues. (practice makes perfect!)
The key to rebuilding respect from our kids involves proving to them that we can handle them without getting frustrated or angry. In my CD, Oh Great! What do I do now?, I provide more practical tips for making this happen. (Totally in love with these CDs. Get one or two or all of them)
What do ya think?! Pure gold, isn’t it?! This isn’t a paid post, by the way. I just truly love Love and Logic Parenting and what it has done for us! Hope you learned something too!
But if you DO want to buy the book, use my little Amazon Affiliate links to the side there or the button below and I’ll get like 20 cents! I live large, people.
Today is my birthday!
So obviously I needed to post a cupcake recipe. But, also, I don’t know if you know this rule, I don’t cook on my birthday. I also don’t take the time to type out a really long recipe to share on my blog. So here is the “it’s my birthday and I’m being lazy and just giving you links to the original recipes that I found when googling” post.
You’re welcome!
Banana Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache Frosting
Banana Cupcakes
I found this recipe at Schweet ‘N Savory and it is just perfect. I didn’t change it a bit. Which is rare for me. It is light and spongy like a cupcake, not at all like a banana bread or muffin. And I used bananas that were just past ripened so they weren’t brown and the cupcake was a delightful shade of yellow.
Chocolate Ganache Frosting
I got this recipe from the queen mother herself, Martha Stewart. I figured if anyone knew how to make a delightful ganache, it would be her. I was so right. I followed the directions and then refrigerated it so it would be firm enough to frost with my cake decorator thingy. Actually, I stuck it in the freezer for a bit because it was taking too long (and I wanted a cupcake for crying out loud) and the texture still turned out creamy and smooth.
There you have it! Two delicious recipes put together for one amazing cupcake!
Happy Birthday!!
Charlie: Mom I think I have an ankle on my face.
Me: A what?
Charlie: AN ANKLE. You know, those little red dots you get on your face.
Me: Oh, you mean a PIMPLE?
Charlie: Yeah, that.
🙂
Summer is coming to an end but corn on the grill still has a place on the table! This is how I like to do it. It’s a bit of work, but so worth it in the end!
Finally – Forget to take a picture of the end result because you are too busy eating it.
Tasty Tuesday
Homemaker Monday
Mouthwatering Mondays
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
🙂
…Batman analogies teach the entire family a lesson…
Me: Boys I have noticed how hard you’ve been trying to listen the first time when you are asked to do something and I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate it.
Chase: Sooooo, what are you gonna do for us?
Me: Oh, I don’t know, feed you three hundred times a day?
Charlie: Noooo, you should give us something!
Me: We make good choices because it’s the right thing to do, not because we want something in return you spoiled rotten brats precious gifts from God.
Chandler: Yeah, like Batman. He comes in, saves the day, the people say thanks and he just says “You are welcome” (said in best gruffy Batman voice) and then he flies away.
Then a fight erupts about the idea that Batman doesn’t really fly except yes he totally does because he has wings but oh wait just a minute he just soars on them not flies.
*deep breathe*
I think they got the point.
I mean, who doesn’t learn something from Batman analogies?
You find these (fishing lures) in the laundry and it doesn’t make you scream.
In fact, you think, “THERE they are!”