That’s where this comes in:

Stretch large, colored rubber bands length and widthwise over a one foot square (or any rectangle) cork board painted with acrylic paint.

Super simple and cute. Thanks Martha!

In a large bowl add:
Approx. 6 cups fresh spinach (or however much you think you need.)

1 quart berries (strawberries or raspberries) sliced or halved

1-2 cooked chicken breasts cut into bite-sized chunks. ( I used one of the roasted chickens from the grocery store and just did 1 of the breasts and it was a lot.)

Dressing:
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 Tbsp poppy seeds
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup olive oil
1/8 cup white vinegar
1/4 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp Worcestershire sauce (I didn’t have any, so I didn’t add it)
1/2 Tbsp minced onion (that seemed like too much work too)

Combine all ingredients well. The recipe says to refrigerate it for an hour. I didn’t read that well and added it to my salad immediately. It was just fine.

Toss and enjoy. You can also add slivered almonds, or chopped nuts, feta or gorgonzola cheese, or anything else you think would be yummy.

Ever feel like this is your house? This one is mine…right after Christmas presents, so not exactly normal. But, sometimes I feel like it! It seems I’m constantly picking things up.

One fun mom thought of a way to combat the problem at her house and I think it’s great!

Here’s a link to her post about it because she has all of her images copyrighted, and she explains it best: MadsMemories

Here’s the gist: Tired of her kids making messes and leaving their things on the floor, she made a “ransom box” where all things go until claimed by the owner.

To pay “ransom” you must draw a task or chore from the envelope on the box’s lid and do it. Some of them are pretty funny, like Sing while doing jumping jacks or give mom a foot rub.

I think I’m going to come up with some age appropriate tasks for them too =)

Tell me what you think…is this extreme, or do you think it’s a good idea? How do you deal with mess at your house?

Just put any letter shapes that you have–plastic, foam, wood, laminated paper–into the sand. Have your child ‘hunt” for the letters and try to name them, or the sound or match the upper and lower case.

They’ll have fun finding their “treasures” and learning at the same time!

Serves about 4

2 pieces naan. These are whole wheat.
1/4 cup Indian spiced sauce, like Tikki Masala (note: Don’t sweat it if you don’t have this. We only had the spice Garam Masala and I added it to some yogurt because we don’t do mayo. Plain yogurt is best, but I used vanilla.)
1/4 cup mayonnaise (like I said, didn’t use)
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
1 cup chopped cooked chicken
1 red bell pepper, cut into thin bite-sized strips

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Heat oven to 400 F
Cut each piece of naan in half lengthwise. Place on baking sheet flat side down. (I put aluminum foil down first and spray with Pam)

2. Combine Indian sauce and mayo if you’re using it. If not, combine about 1 Tbsp Indian spice with 1/4 cup yogurt. Spread evenly over naan. You can also brush each piece with olive oil like I did.

3. Layer the remaining ingredients over 1/2 of the naan. Place other half on top.

4. Heat about 8 minutes until sandwich is heated through, pressing down part way through heating. Cut into smaller pieces.

You could eat it wish a cucumber and tomato salad or with Indian lentils.

I hope you do too.

Cut out colored napkins with scalloped scissors, pinking shears or regular scissors.

Make your own templates, or download them from Martha Stewart

So easy, yet so fun.

Named Maxwell Drew Johnson, she may not have a traditional girls name, but it is meaningful for their family. Maxwell is dad Eric’s middle name and Drew is Simpson’s mother’s maiden name.

She hasn’t released the details of her daughter’s birth yet, but since she hasn’t held many details of her pregnancy back (swamp-ass anyone?) I don’t think that it will be long.

It isn’t likely that it will take long for the first images of baby Maxi to surface either. But, if she does choose to keep the little darling under wraps, she’ll have the perfect cover.

The Wild Side Sprout Shell was sent to her, and well received.  Jessica has been known to be a fan of leopard/cheetah prints lately. She wore a leopard print dress for her appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in March and recently announced she dreamed she gave birth in a leopard caftan. Time will tell if she actually found one. As the only multifunctional carrier cover, and the only one in leopard print, we think she’ll be thrilled to tote little Maxi around with it.

As the first child of Simpson and Johnson, and a girl to boot, we’re pretty sure that whatever this girl wears or carries around will be both girly, and super stylish!

Congratulations to the new happy family!

1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp oregano
3-4 chicken breasts

Combine in a quart-sized ziplock bag
Heat oven to 400 F
Cover baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray
Take tongs and add 1 piece of chicken at a time to the crumb mixture and shake to coat.
Remove from bag and place on baking sheet. Press remaining coating into chicken pieces.
Spray tops with cooking oil
Bake 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through

Serve with crusty rolls and salad or a veggie of your choice. We used broccoli tonight.

Found this schedule recently and really like it. I feel like it’s a good combo of cardio and strength toning in just 15 minutes.

Plus it’s easy to remember.

Do you have a regular fitness routine, or do you mix it up often?