Here is the HUGE box of Caza Trail Donut Shop Blend K-cups my hubby had to buy (he actually bought 2) after our sample ran out.

My husband and I love coffee, especially as a way to savor the few quite moments we may have on frantic mornings. We recently taught Matthew how to use our Keurig machine and he loves to make my coffee in the morning. I think he does it so he can have a sip “just to test it out”. I was recently given a sample of Caza Trail’s Donut Shop Blend K-cups and Matthew would brew me and my husband a cup each morning. Sometimes twice. It is so good that once that small box was used up, my husband headed over to Amazon and ordered two more, gigantic boxes. Yep, their are gone too! Nothing compares to a beautiful cup of coffee on a cold and snowy day, especially if it is as exceptional as Caza Trail’s Donut Shop Blend.

Here is my empty HUGE box of Caza Trail’s Donut Shop Blend K-cups. It went too quickly.

If you would like your own sample of our favorite coffee simply head over to Mom Central’s Facebook Case Trail sampling tab where you can receive a free 3-pack sample of Caza Trail’s Donut Shop Blend K-cups!

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I’ve successfully been grey for several months now and have really been enjoying it. But as my 44th birthday is approaching I have been starting to feel my age and more importantly I have been thinking about regrets. I don’t want to have regrets over anything as I age. I used to spend a lot of time doing and being what other people wanted me to be. And somehow I sort of forgot what I wanted to be. I started to realize that I only have this one shot at life and I should live it and love it and in general have no regrets. (Of course there are limits, I have to follow social rules and laws and such, but I don’t have to worry about what others think or want from me outside of my responsibilities.) So I opted for a haircut that I think it really cool, and very outside the norm for a mom of 3 living in the suburbs, and whom is also the PTA President of her children’s elementary school! Take a peek at the cut and let me know what you think.

Going Grey Haircut

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Dear Santa,

I have been VERY good this year. I have worked really hard and tried to be the best mommy I could be. I went on a diet, but I’ll still bake you Christmas cookies and leave you them with some yummy chocolate milk on Christmas Eve. I made sure my kids had their favorite lunches each day, did laundry at least once a month, and helped the boys with their homework. I think overall I deserve to be on the NICE list this year. So if you agree I’m including MY Christmas Wish List – almost all of it can be found at Best Buy this year!

1. I’d love the new Fitbit Force to help with my weightloss goals
2. The Krups BeerTender would be perfect for our News Years Eve Party
3. A new Apple iPhone to help me stay in touch with my family
4. Microsoft Surface Pro so I can find Joy with new Tech Toys
5. A Best Buy Gift Certificate so I can just drop in and buy whatever I want. They have more choices, more savings and more gifts than I can decide on right now.
6. Omega Juicer for that cleanse we want to do

Love,

Maryann

PS Dear Santa, With Best Buy’s Low Price Guarantee and these fabulous links to some very special deals you’ll be able to afford all of this and more! These offers run from December 1st to January 15 so you have plenty of time!

Link to 15% off Health & Fitness, Fisher Price and Mattel

Link to 10% off Headphones & Portable Speakers (excludes beats, bose and Sony):

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Taking a cue from Oprah’s holiday list of her favorite things, I thought I’d start a similar list. I’m hoping to give you ideas for things you may want to try, for things you never thought about trying, and maybe some insight into things EVERYONE has tried.

The very first item I wanted to introduce you to is my favorite, go-to hair care collection by Ouidad. Ouidad is known for their curl defining products. As the owner of 2B curly/wavy hair (the 2B is a reference to my curl patter as defined in The Curly Girl M

ethod) I have sought out those products that help define my wave pattern and keep my curls moisturized and shiny. Curly hair is often dry, simply because of the way hair is when it is curly. It has to do with the cuticle and the curl pattern, but really all you need to know is that curly hair needs special care. And for me one of the best ways to care for my hair is with Ouidad.

I am part

icularly fond of Ouidad’s shampoo and conditioners. I usually use Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo, but recently Ouidad has launched the new Ouidad Color Sense Collection which not only helps define your curls but also helps prevent against fading if you color your hair.

Ouidad is fantastic at locking in moisture which has helped keep my hair soft. The Color Sense Color Preserving Conditioner is Sulfate and Silicone Free which is important not only to me as a consumer, but also as someone that follows The Curly Girl M

I think the other thing I really love about Ouidad is that it really is a collection of great curl enhancing products that all work together to help you create the sort of curls you want. Ouidad Curl Defining Styling Souffle is now one of my new favorite curling creams. I often use a curl enhancing cream after washing and conditioning my hair. The Ouidad Curl Defining Styling Souffle helps set the curls, reduces frizz (which I hate having), and promotes shine. My hair is very soft when I use the Ouidad Curl Defining Styling Souffle.  And as a little side note on the Ouidad Curl Defining Styling Souffle it SMELLS fantastic and has the most enjoyable texture. I really can’t describe it, but I guess the name Souffle gives you a good clue. It is simply delightful to use.ethod. Those ingredients are big no-nos.

So I hope you check out Ouidad and let me know if you think it is a great product for your curly or wavy hair. Check back soon for #2 in my list of favorite things!

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I have been on Weight Watchers for a few weeks now. This is actually my second Weight Watchers  attempt in the last year.  I love Weight Watchers because it really does work if you work the system. I tend to use mostly fresh, homemade foods so it requires a bit more work on my end to keep up with Weight Watchers (since you have to make “recipes” for all of your homemade foods) but ultimately Weight Watchers keeps me from overeating and has helped me lose a total of 14 pounds to date!

One of the easiest foods to make is soup AND soup is so low in Weight Watchers points (which is a good thing, means you can eat a lot more of it!). Weight Watchers also encourages you to eat low calorie foods that are full of protein and fiber. This equates to a lot of fruits and vegetables with very little carbohydrates. That sounds like it is right up my dietary alley.

I decided to through together a tasty, easy and healthy corn chowder. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Corn Chowder

5 slices uncured bacon diced ( I use my kitchen shears  to cut the bacon)

1/2 of a medium white or yellow onion

1 large carrot, diced

1 large celery rib, diced

1 cup diced potatoes

64 oz of Organic Chicken Stock

Himalayan Pink Salt

pepper

1/2 teaspoon Organic Cumin

1/4 teaspoon Organic Chili Powder

3 Tablespoons butter

1 bag of frozen corn

1 bag of frozen lima beans

Method

In a large Stainless Steel Stockpot over medium heat, cook the bacon until it has rendered its fat and has just become crispy.  Add the onion, carrot and celery and cook until the onions are translucent and the carrots have begun to soften. Add the potatoes, stock and season with salt, pepper, cumin, child powder and butter. Bring to a boil and simmer until potatoes have softened. Add the corn and lima beans and reseason if necessary. Allow to cook an additional 15 minutes or until the flavor has deepened. Reseason if necessary. Serve as is, or use your Hand Blender  to puree a bit for a naturally “creamy” soup.

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Living in the Baltimore/Washington area I am very familiar with Baltimore’s own Miracle on 34th Street. It is a magical Christmas tradition that has been around for 65 years! I have made the trek into Baltimore a few times (usually for my birthday because I love this aspect of Baltimore so much and want to spend my birthday looking at all the Christmas Lights) and every time it has been a beautiful and inspiring moment.

34th street is covered from head to toe, inside and out with Christmas Lights. The families on 34th street embrace the Christmas spirit and Baltimore Pride in such a unique and fun way. There are traditional displays but the ones that really capture the heart of Baltimore are those traditions that are unique to this little-big city. There is the hubcap tree, the Natty Boh sign, the Utz Potato Chip Girl, and the big red Steamed Crab. All of these are what make Baltimore, Baltimore.

The families that live on 34th street even open their homes during Miracle on 34th Street and allow visitors to come in and view their Christmas displays. The Christmas lights are amazing, festive and a bit breath taking. 34th street is a short block, but it is jam packed with pedestrians and cars alike. I have never walked 34th street because parking is at a premium in the area, but I highly recommend stopping by. It is a really rare experience that is unique to Baltimore.

My own family loves to go on Christmas Light Hunts in our own neighborhood and surrounding areas. We have a few people that are a bit more local that also love to showcase their Christmas Spirit with large Christmas light displays. One goes so far as to have Christmas music piped to your car radio. To me there isn’t much better family fun than to bundle up the kids, grab some thermos bottles full of hot chocolate and hunt down a lot of magical Christmas decorations. This is what I dreamed about when I envisioned having a family. The laughter and joy that simple decorations can produce linger in a child’s memory and shape their hindsight of growing up and family time together.

Let the merriment begin! Only 36 days left until Christmas!

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As I’ve said in previous meal planning posts we are gluten free. Sometimes we are even dairy free, but not always. Shh, don’t tell anyone, Ok? Today we are not dairy free, hence the wonderful addition of Gruyere cheese in this recipe. The melting cheese makes the most wonderful sauce for the chicken. I adore this meal. I hope you like it as much as we do.

Monday – Chicken saltimbocca gruyere  with mashed potatoes and green beans

Tuesday – Veal picata  with salad

Wednesday – Pork chops with potatoes au gratin and veggies

Thursday – Cuban picadillo with fried bananas

Friday – Bahn Mi Style Burger

Chicken Saltimbocca Gruyere

4 single chicken breasts without skin and bone

8 slices of prosciutto

5 oz of Gruyere cheese, shredded

toothpicks

3 tablespoons butter

1 glove garlic

1/2 cup white wine

juice of one lemon

Place one chicken breast in a zip lock bag and using a mallet, pound the breast thin. Repeat with the other chicken breasts. Layer 2 slices of the prosciutto on each chicken breast, top with 1/4 of the cheese.  Roll the chicken breast so that the prosciutto and cheese are contained inside the chicken breast. Secure with toothpicks. Repeat with all chicken breasts. In a large skillet melt the butter. Saute garlic for a moment or two and then add chicken breast. Allow the breasts to brown on each side. Add wine and lemon juice to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover so that the chicken can cook fully. Serve with sauce from the pan.

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This morning I was reading a Facebook post from one of my blogging acquaintances. She was a little put off because she received some product in the mail and included in the box was a handwritten note from someone on the product’s team. It wasn’t from the person she expected it to be from, it wasn’t on letterhead, it was written in pencil and was rather sloppy. She said it was obvious that someone had written the note and had made some mistakes, so there were lots of eraser marks. She thought this was unprofessional and was not overly impressed. She wanted to know if it would bother any other bloggers.

Since Matthew is currently struggling with his writing skills, my very first reaction was a feeling of sympathy. In the grand scheme of things wasn’t it nice that a note came at all? So many people don’t take the time to even consider the other person on the receiving end of a mailing. I imagine the person that wrote that note. In my mind I see someone working very hard. Maybe harder than their co-workers, because doing normal, everyday things is a bit more difficult for them. The worker wanted to brighten the receiver’s day, or they felt it was just their duty to send a note. I know Matthew often thinks of what is “expected behavior”. He hates writing, but he also knows he has to do it. Maybe this was this person’s duty for the day. They felt it was necessary to complete this task, and so they tried very hard to do just that.

The erase marks means to me that the task was important enough to them to try again, and possibly again. Sometimes details are overwhelming to Matthew, so picking up the first piece of paper he could find, well that would be just fine in his mind. He finds writing arduous so using a pencil would be the easiest writing instrument for him. Yes, I see my son in many people who struggle.

Since having Matthew and discovering just how hard the world is for him, I’ve learned to be a little less judgmental with others. I try to see what they may have weighing them down and just how very hard they work to overcome those dragging obstacles. Not everyone is going to have the same sort of struggles that Matthew has, but everyone is struggling with something. Giving them the benefit of the doubt can often go so far as to change their whole outlook on life. Yes, I see my son in the struggle of others. Every single day.

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Can you tell what is missing in this picture? Yes, that would be the door handle. That is because 3 boy live in this house and they break EVERYTHING they come in contact with. This time it was the handle. Last time it was the toilet paper holder. Before that it was the towel bar. You get the picture.

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