Caught in the act

  My little monkey thought she needed some lotion and apparently so did the bathroom mirror.

The big red store

Here we are once again, at my little monkey's favorite store. 

Can't you just feel the excitement?!

      I just told her we we're going to buy some popcorn!

Greek Orzo Stuffed Pepper Recipe

Hi ladies!! I have been MIA for a bit but I'm back with weekly "healthy" recipes and fitness tips! To start off this week....here is a yummy (and healthy) recipe I snatched up from Eating Well magazine and Chef Brooke Cooks.

This is a great low calorie option to use as a side dish or snack. Even better...you can make it on the stovetop or the microwave. Microwave cooking is great if (like me) you have hungry kiddo's running around and not a lot of time to fit things in.

Ingrediants:
• 4 yellow bell peppers (may sub orange or red)
• 1/2 cup whole-wheat orzo pasta (or regular orzo)
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 6 ounces baby spinach, coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, divided
• 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomato (not oil-packed)
• 1 tablespoon sherry wine vinegar (may sub red-wine vinegar)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions
1. Halve peppers lengthwise through the stems, leaving the stems attached.
2. Remove the seeds and white membrane. Place the peppers cut-side down in a large microwave-safe dish. Add 1/2 inch water, cover and microwave on High until the peppers are just softened, 7 to 9 minutes. Let cool slightly, drain and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
4. Mash chickpeas into a chunky paste with a fork, leaving some whole.
5. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until soft, about 4 minutes.
6. Add spinach and oregano and cook, stirring, until the spinach is wilted, about 1 minute.
7. Stir in the orzo, chickpeas, 1/2 cup feta, tomatoes, vinegar and salt; cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
8. Divide the filling among the pepper halves and sprinkle each pepper with some of the remaining 1/4 cup feta.

HELP! I'm drowning!!!

 I'm drowning in a sea of work and housework. Business has picked up and I can't seem to get into a good rythm. It's hard enough trying to give everyone their fair share of attention when your a stay at home mom. But, try doing that and being the owner/designer of your own business which includes marketing, designing, making,packaging and mailing out your own products. I know, I know there are many women who do this all the time but, I'm just not sure HOW they do it while staying sane.

 There are many days when I wish I could escape to an office somewhere and clock in and out like a normal person. At least I would have peace and quiet so I could actually get focused and stay on task without being interuppted because little people all around me keep fighting over the ball or the soup is boiling over or someone needs a ride here or there.

 Many days I wish I could just hire someone for each job I need to do. I honestly think it's much easier being the CEO of a business when you can just focus on that and nothing else. So, when someone tells me I had a hard day at work I say come be me for a day and we'll see if you don't just love going to work after that.

  Don't get me wrong, I love being home with my kiddos but, I wonder if maybe I shouldn't be just doing that? Am I not giving them enough of me? Am I ignoring their needs to selfishly feel successful at something other than the most important job in the world? On the one hand I feel like once I had kids it was my duty to give up that selfish part of my life that was driven to be successful but, on the other hand I feel like if I give up that successful person all together I'll never be able to find her again.

 I'm just in a place right now that I'm not sure how to get out of. HELP! How do you WAHMS do it?!

Thank You Mr. Tim Burton.

 My kids are  HUGE Tim Burton fans from my oldest to the youngest. I know, I know much of Tim Burton's work is a little dark but, I promise you if he makes it, they will come.
  Their latest and greatest favorite is Coraline. A movie about a little girl who is tired of her parents always ignoring her. When she goes to sleep she finds an alternate world where her other Mother and Father live. They are perfect in all the ways her real parents aren't or are they? Of course this is where the story takes a turn for the dark side. In the end she realizes how perfect her family really is for her despite their imperfections.
  If there was ever a movie maker who could make my kids sit quietly for 2 hours it is Tim Burton. So for this I thank you Mr. Tim Burton.

An eventful Easter

In our house Easter like every other holiday can't just be normal. Of course we do normal things like go to Church and eat afterward but, that's about as normal as it gets.

This Easter was no exception. As I explained in an earlier post we had an Easter/Birthday celebration! It started off with our version of an Easter meal which included Grilled chicken, Carne Asada, salsa, rice and beans.While we ate, the Clown (who only spoke Spanish) showed up to paint faces, make balloon animals and all the fun things clowns do but, all in Spanish of course.

Next the kids lined up to hit the Pinatas (yes, plural) there were two of them and when you don't have a tree to tie the Pinata to why not get up on the roof of the house and garage. It was Gracie's first attempt at hitting a Pinata ever and she did pretty good despite her small stature.Finally, It was time for the big Easter egg hunt where the unfortunate scrape that caused the allergic reaction in Josh happened. I told you we don't do normal in our house.

Birthday Planning

I'm a planner by nature. I like to have everyone's schedule in order and know where everyone is at all times. It drives me nuts not knowing what's going on and where it's going on.
Which brings me to Party planning. I have begun planning birthday parties for my oldest son who's party will be in July and my daughter's who will be in November but, I'm thinking of moving it up to the end of October. Ya, I know I'm a little bit of a control freak. I figure if I can't control the weather than I'll just change the date of the Birthday Party.
So I'm in the early stages of my research and came across this Birthday Party planning website. It is full of great party ideas and info not only for kids and teens but Adults too. Go ahead and get your party on!

Mommy 911

So, I’ve always prided myself on being the most well prepared mom on the block from having a spare change of clothes and shoes for each kid in the car to a well stocked and up to date first aid kit not only in the house but in the car as well, that was until a few days ago when IT happened!

We were out and ready to come home from a great Easter/ Birthday Party (yup, that’s how we roll) and IT happened….We were just about to get into the car for a long ride home when I took a look at my oldest son and his eyes looked like he had stuffed a bunch of cotton into the inside corners. They were so large and puffy that it seemed as though the space between them was all even with no dimension. I was shocked and asked if he had fallen and hit the bridge of his nose but, he nodded and said “no”. He had no idea what I was talking about. Well, after much proding I found out that during the Easter egg hunt he had rubbed up against a plant and had a scratch on his arm from it. He was having an allergic reaction!!! OMG! To the First Aid kit I ran but, I stood there shocked and in dismay.

In all my infinite motherly wisdom I had somehow forgotten to add the mother of all medicines to the Car’s First Aid kit. Yes, even the most well prepared mother on the block had missed adding BENDRYL to the First Aid kit!!!

Luckily I thought quickly and ran back to the house and asked another mother if she had any and, of course she DID!

What my friends does this lesson teach us? That even though we think we’re perfectly prepared, we’re not! Now, I must go and double check the First Aid kit in the house as well as I’m sure you will do after reading this too. Wink Wink.

Check out "The Ouch Pouch". I just stumbled upon this shop on Etsy and really coulda used one of these!!!LOL!