Queen of the Mountain (of Laundry)

Easy Fall Crafts for Toddlers

2014-10-11T21:51:00.000-04:00

My little guy is turning three in a month (wow, when did that happen??) and we've been having all sorts of fall fun. We already went to the pumpkin patch in our new little town. We didn't purchase pumpkins there, but he had great fun. We did purchase pumpkins elsewhere and he just can't wait to carve them!

To keep the fall fun going on some of these rainy days we've had here, we did a couple of really really simple fall crafts with a few things that we already had and can be easily picked up at any craft store.

Our first craft...giant spiders (friendly ones, of course!) All you need is some construction paper cut into circles (I had some already cut from a previous project), pipe cleaners, a hole punch, and crayons/markers/whatever. I didn't have googly eyes, but those would make an excellent addition!

Just put eyes on the circle and let your little one decorate his/her spider with crayons or markers...if you don't mind the mess, glitter is fun too...but since I don't want to be cleaning up glitter until my son leaves for college, I stuck with crayons. Once he was done, I punched eight holes in the edge and twisted the pipe cleaners around them to look like legs. Bam! Insta-spider. He was so thrilled that he played with his spiders all day and we even folded the legs up and sent one to his aunt.

Another craft we did, also super easy and simple, is very similar to one we did with edible finger paints a while back. Now that he's older we used regular paint and instead of our fingers, we used a bunched up paper towel. You'll need a canvas sheet, letter stickers, paint, and paper towels.

On the canvas, place your letters to spell out whatever fall phrase you want. I'm a minimalist at heart so I just said 'fall' and left him lots of room to make beautiful fall 'leaves'. Then I basically squirted a glob of yellow, red, and orange paint on a plate and gave him a bunched up paper towel and let him have at it. I did help a little to make sure the canvas was completely covered, but he really did most of it himself. The fall colors blended together very nicely. Once he was finished and before the paint was dried, I VERY CAREFULLY peeled off the letters revealing the negative image of 'fall' amongst the leaves. Absolutely adorable and looks great next to my cinnamon broom and a colorful gourd we picked out.

It's Not Me

2014-10-11T21:34:00.001-04:00

Ok, y'all, I got another product review for ya. I know I've mentioned Influenster before, so I won't get too much into it now. Basically, for those of you not in the 'know', it's a company that gives out free product samples from various places in exchange for you reviewing them on social media. If you are active online and like free stuff, I highly recommend checking them out.

This most recent Vox Box was the It's Not Me Gillette Venus Sensitive box. I got myself a free Gillette Sensitive razor and so far I really do like it. I usually use whatever razors I have a coupon for, so I've used quite a variety. Gillette is one of my go-to brands already, so I was already pretty familiar with the Venus razor. The sensitive one is a Venus, but obviously it's geared toward those of us with sensitive skin. If you're like me, shaving usually results in ingrowns, razor burn, or itchiness...and that's even when I use shaving cream/gel/lotion/whatever. Nothing really seems to prevent that...and I've tried it all.

I tried this razor both with and without shaving cream and it seems to do a pretty decent job either way. I definitely prefer the feel of the shave itself with the cream, but if you're in a pinch, it's not bad without as it has moisturizer built right into the razor (which has 5 blades by the way).

I will say, I didn't have a rash this time when I shaved, so it must work. I'd definitely be willing to buy it again at around $12.99 for the initial pack and $16.99 for refills, I'll be waiting for a coupon.

Easy Steamed Mussels

2014-08-01T22:17:00.001-04:00

So I've been seeing these beautiful photos of a bowl full of mussels that have been steamed to perfection and are sitting atop what looks like a lovely broth and thinking...man, I'd love to try that! But in restaurants, it's usually just a bit too pricey for something I'm not sure I'll like, so I've always put off actually trying it. Well, I finally decided to throw caution to the wind and just get it over with...but at home, where you know, I can fix myself a pb&j if it's really that awful. As it turns out, not only was it delicious, but it was easy, too! The whole dish was cooked in one big pot...which is a big plus for me!

I tried to find fresh mussels, but I guess it just wasn't in the cards for me...so I had to settle for frozen ones. Which, as it turns out, saved me even more time because they were already cleaned. For less than $2 a pound, I grabbed two pounds and a bottle of white wine...the rest was already in my pantry!

First things first, mince four or so cloves of garlic and about a quarter of a sweet onion. In a stock pot/dutch oven, melt two tablespoons of butter. Over medium heat, saute the onion and garlic for about 30 seconds. Add the zest of one lemon and stir for another 30 or so seconds. Add two cups of wine and some fresh ground black pepper. Bring to just a boil and add the mussels. Cover and let steam. Since mine were frozen, it took about 10 minutes for them to thaw and open...discard any that don't open. I poured the whole pot into a big serving bowl and served them family style with grilled, garlic-rubbed bread slices. My husband ate his with a little shake of Tabasco on top but I ate mine as-is. Just sop up that tasty broth in the grilled bread and put the mussel meat on top...makes for one tasty bite!

Ingredients:

2 lbs mussels, cleaned and debearded

1 lemon, both zest and wedged

2 tbsp butter, softened

1/2 c. parsley, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 yellow onion, minced

2 cups white wine

1 loaf of crusty bread

extra garlic for rubbing on the bread

optional: Tabasco for serving; parsley for garnish

1. Melt butter in pot. Add onion and garlic, saute for 30 seconds. Add lemon zest, stir and saute for additional 30 seconds.

2. Add white wine and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil.

3. Add mussels and steam until most have opened. Discard unopened shells.

4. Add chopped parsley and stir (optional). Serve with grilled bread.

Basic Roast Chicken and Potatoes

2014-08-01T22:03:00.000-04:00

So here's the "sitch"...my husband is allergic to poultry. Not sure if I've ever mentioned it, but it's weird and worth noting before I go into this recipe and why it's such a big deal for me. I haven't cooked chicken in YEARS because I was always so afraid of cross-contamination and frankly, not willing to make two completely different proteins for one meal. As of late, our work schedules are pretty opposite of one another, so my son and I find ourselves having dinner sans Daddy. Which sucks. Big time. I miss our family meals and I really lost my passion for making nice dinners since my sole dining companion is 2 and isn't a very...appreciative diner. We've been getting by on quick pasta dishes, loaded baked potatoes, soup, etc...you know, easy one-pot type stuff. That is, until I had an epiphany...since I'm not cooking for the hubs, I can make chicken! Woohoo! I know...small victory...just give me this one, mkay?

Some of the basics...

Since I'm all grown up now, I figured I should master how to roast a whole chicken. It's a basic recipe and easy to pull out for company...everyone loves it. If you don't already have this one in your arsenal, read on, and if you already do...read on anyway, because this isn't your average roast chicken ;-)

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Chop some red potatoes into bite sized chunks and toss with a splash of olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme. Toss 'em in a baking dish and set aside whilst you prepare the bird!

Mmmm butter...and other stuff.

Grab yourself some buttah' and let it soften...if you're like me and wait until the last minute to get it
out and start cooking, zap it in the microwave for about 10 seconds...that should do it. Chop up a handful of parsley, zest a lemon, and mince 2 cloves of garlic. Mix well and set aside.

Now, the important difference between your average roast chicken recipe and this one is the butchering of the chicken. Some call it butterflying, others call it spatchcocking...whatever you call it, it helps the chicken cook more evenly and it can even cook faster. Get yourself a nice, whole chicken. Rinse and pat dry (both inside and out....and remove all the...innards). Flip it over and, using poultry shears, cut out the spine. Then you cut notches in the cartilage on either side of the breast bone and yank that out. But do it nicely...you don't want to tear up your chicken. Then you flip it over and voila! You have a beautifully butterflied chicken. Check out this helpful video that I used to learn this technique.

Awaiting the oven...

After. Look at all that crispy skin!

Splay out that bird on a baking sheet (rimmed, of course) and
retrieve your butter mixture. Slather that stuff all over the top of the bird...make sure you get all the exposed skin with it...trust me. Season with a little salt and pepper.

Both the potatoes and the chicken can go in together. In about 30 minutes, remove the potatoes and stir them around so they get crisp on all sides and return to the oven. Continue baking for another 15-30 minutes. You'll know your chicken is finished when the thigh meat registers a temperature of 165 degrees and the juices run clear. Carve it up and serve it along side those tasty taters and a fresh green salad. YUM!

You can't tell me that doesn't look tasty!

Oh, and bonus...you can squeeze the lemon juice from that lemon you zested earlier over pretty much the entire meal and it gives it a little extra zip!

Ingredients:
1 whole chicken
2 tbsp butter, softened
1/2 c parsley, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
zest of 1 lemon
4-6 red potatoes, cut to 1" pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp thyme
Salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Rinse and pat dry the chicken, removing everything from the cavity. Spatchcock if desired and place on baking dish.

2. Combine butter, parsley, garlic, and lemon zest. Mix well and slather on bird. Season liberally with salt and pepper

3. Toss potatoes in olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper. Place in separate baking dish.

4. Bake together for approximately 1 hour or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees and juices run clear. Stir potatoes at 30 minutes and return to oven for the remainder of the hour.

Happy Hour: Strawberry-Basil Cocktail

2014-06-19T20:06:00.000-04:00

It's hot hot hot in central Texas and there is nothing more refreshing than a cool cocktail sipped on your own back porch. This little gem of a drink has just FOUR ingredients and is just as easy to make in a large batch as it is to make single-serve. Get out your muddlers y'all!

See that y'all I threw in up there? I'm embracing my inner Texan. If you can't beat em...

Ingredients:
3 medium strawberries, sliced
2 large basil leaves
1.5 oz bourbon
Sparkling beverage of choice (I used sparkling lemonade)
Ice

1. In your glass, muddle together the berries and basil. There is no wrong way to do this.

2. Add the bourbon. If you prefer to make it a heavier pour, go right ahead. Top with ice and stir will with a bar spoon (you know...that long swirly lookin' one).

3. Fill the rest of your glass with your sparkling beverage of choice. It can be soda water, ginger ale, lemon lime soda, or if you're like me...sugar free sparkling lemonade. If you want to get fancy, garnish with an extra strawberry and a sprig of basil. It's freakin' delicious so drink up!

Baked Eggs in Portabellos

2014-06-19T19:56:00.000-04:00

If you're looking to get healthier, it's no secret that cutting down on red meat will make a big difference to your diet. It can be difficult to feel fully satisfied at dinner without having that slice of protein, which is why I made this dish for dinner tonight. The large mushroom with an egg delivers a punch of protein and a very satisfying bite. Tonight, I served it alongside southwestern hashbrowns simply because that's what I had on hand. However, I think it would be equally delicious served with a salad and a fruity vinagrette or even with some roasted asparagus and a squirt of lemon...yum!

Ingredients:

2 large portabello caps

2 large eggs

1 green onion, sliced

cooking spray

salt and pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 375. Meanwhile, clean your mushrooms and remove the stems. Pat dry and leave the gills intact.

2. Layer a small baking dish with foil and spray with cooking spray. Place your mushrooms in the dish and sprinkle with half the green onions. Top with a single egg, careful to keep it from running off the side of your 'shroom.

3. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and bake until the eggs are cooked to your liking. I, myself, prefer the yolks to be a bit runny, so mine took about 20 minutes.

4. Serve with your favorite side and garnish with the additional green onion slices. Enjoy!

Healthy PB&J Popcicles

2014-06-11T11:51:00.000-04:00

There is nothing that brings me back to my childhood summers like a good popsicle. I think we all remember sitting on the front porch trying to finish it before the whole thing melts and runs down your arm. And being a completely sticky, stained mess by the time you're done. The only problem is most of these classic treats are so full of sugar and food coloring...probably not all that good for you. So the obvious solution is to just make your own. The possibilities are endless...and you can totally just use some good organic fruit juice and call it a day. But you know me...gotta take it one step further...made my own grape juice and a pb/greek yogurt blend.

Grape Juice:

1 cup water in a medium sauce pan

enough grapes to fill the water without coming up out of the water

Boil until the grapes have all burst and look dull.

Strain through a fine mesh strainer, smooshing (very technical term) the grapes to extract as much juice as possible.

Allow to cool completely.

You *can* add sugar to the water before boiling...but grapes are pretty sweet on their own...really up to you.

PB swirl:

1/4 c greek yogurt, plain

2 tbsp peanut butter, creamy

1 tsp honey

Mix until everything is incorporated and smooth.

Put in a piping bag (or in my case, a sandwich bag with a corner snipped off).

In your pop molds, pipe the pb mixure around the sides...doesn't have to be perfect since you're pouring liquid over it that might displace it anyway.

See...not perfect...but still tasty!

Pour cooled grape juice into each mold.

Place your sticks/handles, and freeze until solid.

Run the mold under some warm water to loosen before removing the pops.

These really tasted like pb&j...and were freaking awesome! My son loved them and wanted more. We're definitely going to try some other flavors soon!

Ayden approved!

TLC Vox Box!

2014-06-03T18:00:00.000-04:00

This is not the first time I've raved about how much I love Influenster. Seriously guys, if you haven't signed up, then you must just not like getting cool stuff for free. If you want to join and get free stuff like I've gotten, click here and sign up. It's fun, easy, and did I mention you get free stuff??

This will be the fourth Vox Box I've gotten from Influenster. This one is called the TLC Vox Box and it's exclusively for mommies! It's got a few things that I can use with my little guy to keep him happy and healthy, and a few that are just for me...I might even share with my husband. Because all parents need a little TLC every now and then right?

So what does it mean to get a little TLC from Influenster? Read on...

Neosporin Neo To Go!

$4.97-$7.50

Neosporin Neo To Go! is a convenient no touch, no sting spray that fits anywhere to give you infection protection, plus pain relief, on the go. It is specially designed for one-handed use and is great for your purse, kitchen, desk, workshop, golf, gym, or travel bag.

I'm not going to lie, I'm a little embarrassed to say I haven't already tried this item. My son is 2 and full of energy. As a result, we have lots of boo-boos that will really benefit from this being in Mommy's bag. I will be posting my review here soon!

Breyers Gelato Indugences

$4.49-$5.99

Breyers, the brand known for bringing families together to enjoy delicious frozen treats for more than 140 years, is expanding it portfolio with the introduction of new Breyers Gelato Indulgences. Each of the four delicious varieties features a trio of textures-creamy gelato, luscious sauce and gourmet toppings-for the ultimate indulgence. To support the launch of Breyers Gelato Indulgences, this campaign will show couples how to create the perfect date night at home-and have a new reason to "spoon."

I think I'm most excited about this item...I can't wait to go pick it up from my local grocery store and enjoy it with my hubby. Check back here for a link to my pinterest board with tips for creating the ultimate at-home date night with Breyers!

Ivory Bar Soap

I love the vintage-y packaging!

$3.99 for a 10-pack

Ivory bar soap is 99.44% pure clean & simple and contains no dyes or heavy perfumes. Plus, with how gentle Ivory is on skin, it's no wonder it's recommended by 4 out of 5 moms.

I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of bar soap. However, at $3.99 for 10 bars, I'm definitely willing to give it the old college try. Seriously...that's 39 cents per bar! Plus, I have really sensitive skin, so I'm looking forward to seeing how my skin responds to Ivory. Stay tuned for an update!

AVON Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother

Beautiful and sleek

$30

Introducing Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother. This translucent balm BLURS the look of WRINKLES on the forehead & around eyes INSTANTLY! Use our fingers to gently pat onto the skin. The cream-to-powder skin perfector delivers a silky smooth virtually line-free look for skin that gets you noticed! Anew You starts today! Visit AVON.com and receive 15% off your Anew purchase of $50 or more with the code ANEW15. Offer code valid until 8/1/14 on AVON.com direct delivery orders only.

Wrinkles-ugh. No one likes to admit they're getting older and those fine lines are a dead giveaway. Of course the best thing to do is prevent them with good sunscreen and staying hydrated. But for those of us who erred in our youth by sunning ourselves hoping for that elusive perfect tan...we need a little Anew. I'm in my late 20's and they say you should start taking anti-aging measures by the time you turn 30. So let's get on top of it ladies!

Puffs To Go

$0.49 per single pack

Puffs To Go are perfect for use in the car, in your purse, on-the-go, wherever you go! Plus, Puffs are Dermatologist tested to be gentle.

I honestly laughed when I pulled this out of my box. You have no idea how many of these things I've gone through in the last month alone. I'm NEVER without my Puffs to go. NEVER. If it's not my son who needs a boogie wiped from his nose, my husband is asking for them because he has allergies. While I've already tried these and know how much I love them, I'm grateful since it's one less thing I have to remember at the store.

Shell Fuel Rewards Network Card

The Fuel Rewards Network program at Shell is a free loyalty program that helps you save money on fuel. For a limited time, new members save 25 cents per gallon on their second fill up and 3 cents every time after!

It just so happens we have a Shell down the street from our new house and they also have the lowest gas prices in our area. Needless to say, if there's a way to save even more money on gas, I'm all for it. What's even better about this program? It's free for you even if you didn't get a TLC vox box! Just go to your local Shell station and pick up a card, register it online, and BOOM you're saving money. You're welcome.

I think I'm becoming a morning person...

2014-06-01T11:57:00.000-04:00

Ever since starting my job in January, I've had to be up at 5am since my shift starts at 6. It was rough at first since I was never a morning person. I hated mornings. I hated being up before the sun came up; I hated rousing myself from a peaceful slumber and climbing out of my soft, comfy bed. But now that it's been a few months, I think things have changed.

It's Sunday morning and everyone else, including the dogs, are still asleep and quiet in the other room. So far, I've brewed a cup of coffee, read a magazine from last month that still hadn't been touched, and I'm contemplating actually doing my hair properly today instead of my usual mom-do of a pony tail haphazardly thrown on the back of my head.

But instead I think I'll sit here and finish my coffee and listen to the birds chirping outside my sun-filled window...because I won't be able to hear them after everyone wakes up.

So, I guess my point is...things really do change with age. And if you're a mom, or even just a really busy person without kids, getting up an extra hour before your day really needs to start can become a worth-while ritual. I am totally ready to wrangle my two-year-old and find my husbands keys/wallet/cellphone/pants/whatever-he-lost-but-can't-find...yup, I'm ready to greet the day!

Loaded Nachos

2014-05-17T22:23:00.001-04:00

Saturday is my favorite day of the week. Aside from the fact that I don't have to get up at 5am to go to work, it's the only day that my husband and I have off together. So Saturdays are designated for family time. Today, we explored bits of our new town and had breakfast tacos at a local eatery (apparently breakfast tacos are a big deal down here). So, since we had such a filling breakfast, we didn't want much for lunch but knew we'd need a little something before dinner. One of our go-to 'slightly-more-than-a-snack-but-less-than-a-meal' foods is a nice plate of nachos.

Look at all that yumminess!!

First off, we don't just slop toppings over a big pile of chips. We get the Scoops and carefully fill each little cup with the toppings so every single bite has every single topping. Is it tedious? A little. Is it worth it? You bet!

So first step is to lay those suckers out on a cookie sheet. If you don't like scrapping off baked cheese, I recommend lining it with foil. Put a pinch of cheddar in the bottom of each scoop. Then add all your desired toppings...this time we did diced onion, red bell pepper, and leftover taco meat. Then I top them off with a little more cheese...this time I used Monterrey jack on the tops. Bake at 350 for 5-10 minutes depending on how melty you like em...just watch them and pull them out when they look good.

Hands off, guys, we're not ready to dig in yet...

Then we go to the cold toppings. These are topped with diced tomatoes, greek yogurt (in place of sour cream), chojita cheese, and chopped cilantro. I also like to dot a bit of hot sauce on top sometimes...just depends on how spicy you want them.

The sky is the limit when it comes to combinations. It's also a great way to use up leftover meat and veggies. And you can make as many or as few as you like. We normally just put the pan between us at the table and dig in. Our 2 year old son loves them too...they're just his size! Serve with a cold glass of your favorite beverage and enjoy!

Long Time No See/Lamb with Garlic and Lemon

2014-05-12T19:23:00.001-04:00

I'm painfully aware of how much I've neglected this blog recently. For that, I truly apologize. Let me fill you in on all the craziness that's been going on around here...

A few months ago, I went back to work. It was just the right decision for our family, so as much as I miss spending every moment with my son and having more free time to work on this blog, it was something I just had to do. So far, I'm enjoying my work and since I work from home, I'm still able to spend a lot of time with my family. But sadly, I have less time to experiment in the kitchen...but now that I've settled into the groove of things, I plan to get back to it!

A few weeks ago, our little family moved from Florida to Texas, which believe it or not, is a really long drive. My husband and I loaded up the largest moving truck you can rent yourself and hauled all our stuff and three dogs out to Texas in one straight shot. It was the longest. drive. ever. I never want to see the inside of a car again. We got unpacked and settled in as much as possible before our son flew out (accompanied by my mother-in-law) to join us in our new home. He's been adjusting nicely, but there is still the question of when are we going 'home' that gets a little hard to answer.

But now that we're settled and getting back to a regular routine, I have a moment to write to you all and get back in the kitchen...and I couldn't be happier about it! My first 'real' meal in the new house was lamb chops with garlic and lemon served with sweet potatoes and spiced butter and broccoli. It was ah-maz-ing! Confession: this was the first time I cooked lamb. My husband was all, "make sure you know what you're doing--that was expensive meat!" Yeah...no pressure. I figured you can't go wrong with garlic right?

Ingredients:

2 lbs lamb chops (approx 8 1" thick chops, trimmed)

10 cloves garlic, chopped

1 lemon

2-3 tbsp fresh chopped parsley

3 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp water

salt and pepper

1. Add oil to large skillet and heat to medium/medium-high heat. Season both sides of lamb with salt and pepper. Sear both sides for about 5 minutes each (this will get them medium-medium rare). Remove and set aside.

2. Cut lemon in half and squeeze juice into pan, add lemon halves cut side down. Lower temp slightly and add remainder of ingredients. Sautee for about 3 minutes or until garlic is tender. Keep things moving...DO NOT BURN THE GARLIC. It gets bitter when it burns...gross.

3. Pour garlic/lemon/herb mixture over the chops and serve. Don't forget to serve those caramelized lemon halves with it! Squeeze the warm lemons over the chops...the heat will surely release some extra juice from inside there and it adds a really nice mellow pop of flavor!

Now, guys, I have to be honest...this was freaking awesome. I'm not even a huge fan of lamb if it's not slathered in tzatzkiki sauce and I ate every last morsel of this stuff. If you're like me and have never made lamb before, don't be afraid to try it...it's not as intimidating as it looks. I highly recommend you give this recipe a try. Still not interested in trying lamb? That's a-ok...I totally get it. Replace the lamb with your favorite cut of meat, and I'm sure the garlic, lemon, and parsley will make it equally delicious!

We're Moving!

2014-01-12T17:55:00.002-05:00

Change is part of life. It's not always fun or easy, but it's necessary. For our little family, it's time to make a pretty big change. We're moving. Now, there is a small possibility that we'll simply be moving to the other side of Orlando, but more likely we'll be moving to San Marcos, TX (it really all depends on my husbands company and where they need him more). Bottom line is, we're moving out of the home to which we brought our son home from the hospital. It's bittersweet...we have created many fond memories here and we will truly miss our family and friends in Orlando, yet the prospect of a fresh start in a new city is exciting!

I will be sharing our journey with you on this blog and giving out some tips and tricks along the way for how to make ~~an easy~~ less difficult move.

As of right now, my focus is to purge and organize. You don't realize how much stuff you've accumulated until it's time to move it all. And man, do we have a lot of stuff. My first piece of advice here is simple: get real. Are you REALLY going to wear those skinny clothes ever again? Not likely...you'll want to buy new stuff after losing weight. Are you REALLY going to fix that lamp you got for $1 at a garage sale last summer? Probably not. Relieve yourself of the junk that just takes up space. If you find yourself on the fence about something or just having a hard time letting go in general...let me break it down for you like this: Is the cost to replace the item greater than the cost to move the item? If yes, and you really believe that in your new home you will have room for and use said item, then go ahead and pack it. If not, then ditch it. You can sell it before moving (more on this later) and put the money towards a replacement in your new home.

Going through everything is overwhelming, especially if you don't have a lot of time. To make it more manageable, break it down by room. Start with the easier rooms like bedrooms and bathrooms and work your way up to the harder ones like the kitchen and garage. It's also best to work from the top of your house down, just like with cleaning.

Designate an area for things you're getting rid of. Bins or boxes labeled 'donate' and 'sell' are a great way to keep things organized. Of course anything you're throwing away should go directly into the garbage bin outside...don't let it clutter up your house!

Check back for more tips on moving and to see our progress!

Coming soon...

2014-01-06T17:05:00.001-05:00

My sincerest apologies for the silence on this blog as of late. It's been a busy holiday season and I have been without a laptop for much of it. Just yesterday, my wonderful husband bought me a brand spanking new laptop and I'm so excited to put it to work with this blog!

I hope everyone put my post about holiday prep to good use and that it helped you have a stress-free holiday season! Now that the new year has begun, I have some new goals for myself and I'll try to share my progress along the way.

Goal 1: Get organized.
We plan to move to a new home this year. We're not 100% about the when or where...it will be in 6 months or less and we will either move across town or to Texas. Everything depends on my husband's job and where they need him to be. So in preparation for moving, I'm starting to purge and organize now so that moving will be as easy as possible. I've started by weeding through my son's toys and clothes. Anything broken went into the trash, things he's outgrown are getting passed down to his cousin, and anything else is getting donated. I already have three large boxes of things out of his room alone!

Goal 2: Get healthy.
Last year, my husband and I started on this goal by eliminating junk food and in general making healthier choices. Over the holidays we let a lot slide but we're ready to get back on the wagon. We've decided to join a gym since now is usually the best time to do so because gyms tend to have specials in January.

Goal 3: Stop being wasteful.
Wastefulness really bugs me. I hate throwing perfectly good things away. You can ask my husband...I get really mad when I have to throw food out and I'm a bit of a pack rat with other things because I can't stand the idea of throwing something out and a month down the road needing it. However, I'm also sick of having no spare storage space in our home due to all the stuff I'm hanging on to. This kind of goes hand in hand with my first goal for this year...I do not want to purchase anything new that I'm not going to use. No more impulse buys just because something is a good deal! No more knick-knacks for the house...we have enough decor and really, with a toddler and three dogs, it's not a worthwhile investment. So...more restraint when shopping and as far as food goes, I'm going to start cooking smarter. This means cooking meals that will either be finished off the same night it's cooked or will make a meal that will definitely get eaten the next day!

Stop and Smell the Roses

2013-11-20T17:24:00.001-05:00

Time to stop and smell the roses! Or at least review them...the Rose Vox Box, that is! That's right, Influenster gave me another box of free goodies to review and share with all of you! This box came with a pretty awesome assortment of stuff!

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara
$5.99
The 60s are back in full swing with a thicker, fuller, wide-eyed look! Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara brings you a bold, wide-eyed look, fanned out volume, and no clumps for lashes that are up, out, and over the top!

Dr. Scholl's For Her Cozy Cushions
$12.49
Dr. Scholl's For Her Cozy Cushions help keep feet warm and dry while providing all-day comfort. Their multi-layer design helps insulate the foot while two plush layers provide extra cushioning. Cozy Cushions help keep feet dry by absorbing perspiration and offer superior support on hard surfaces.

belVita crunchy Breakfast Biscuits
$3.69 for a box of 5 packets of 4 biscuits
belVita crunchy Breakfast Biscuits are made with delicious ingredients and carefully baked to release steady energy that lasts all morning. They're a good source of fiber and B-vitamins, contain no high fructose corn syrup, have 18-20 grams of whole grain per serving and taste great - perfect for on-the-go.

Kiss Gradation Polishes
$6.99
Give yourself a trendy gradation manicure in no time with Kiss Gradation Polishes. Quick and easy to apply in three easy steps, you will end up with a mani filled with glitter and shine in no time. Available at Walgreens.

Lindt LINDOR Milk Chocolate Truffles
$3.99 for a 5.1 oz. bag
Smooth, Melting, Luscious. When you break the shell of a LINDOR truffle, the irresistible smooth filling starts to melt and so will you. Available in 10 smooth, melting flavors.

Dr Scholl's For Her Cozy Cushion Review

2013-11-20T17:08:00.001-05:00

In addition to the Kiss Gradation Nail Polish and Rimmel Retro Glam Mascara, I got a free set of Dr Scholl's for her Cozy Cushions in my Vox Box from Influenster. This inserts are fuzzy and soft on your feet and I LOVE THEM! You can trim them to fit your favorite pair of boots...perfect for the winter months! I think they'd be perfect for the long hours you'll be on your feet while shopping for Christmas gifts.

Rimmel Retro Glam Mascara Review

2013-11-17T15:06:00.002-05:00

Well, ladies and gents, Influenster has sent me another Vox Box and you know what that means...product reviews! I'll create a comprehensive post later, but right now I'm going to tell you about just one of the cool products they sent me. Did I mention it was free? If you want to get free goodies too, just ask and I'll send you an invite to Influenster!

The first product on my review list is Rimmel's Retro Glam Mascara. In a fat black tube, it doesn't look like anything special...then you pull out the wand and it's got this interesting hourglass-like brush. I'll admit, at first that brush threw me for a loop. I'm used to straight brushes or even a few curved, but this one is the first I've used like that. Stick with it though, I promise it will pay off.

As far as the formula goes, I really like it. And you know that I would tell you if I felt otherwise. It clings to my fine lashes really well and helps to pump them up and make them look longer without looking goopy...and no one wants goopy eyelashes!

I would recommend using this mascara with the aid of an eyelash curler for maximum effect. If you're going out, pair it with a smoky eye or, for a less dramatic daytime look, just top your lids with a sheer neutral shadow and give your lashes a quick swipe with this mascara...either way your lashes will look their best!

Tiny Hands in the Kitchen

2013-09-25T22:48:00.000-04:00

Toddlers are famous for their 'monkey see, monkey do,' behavior. They love doing all the things they see mommy and daddy doing...whether we'd like them to or not! My son watches me cook all the time and it's a struggle to keep him out of the kitchen. So every once and a while, I bring him into the kitchen for an Ayden-friendly recipe.

When bringing a little one into the kitchen, preparation is key. Pick a space and clear the area. I have a small section of counter over the dishwasher that's next to the sink that I use for Ayden. There are no rugs beneath and I keep everything on the counter off or out of reach. I gather all that I need and have it ready to go before bringing him in. I also have a washcloth and a clean set of play clothes at the ready for when we're done!

This time, we made sugar free strawberry jello with real strawberries. I handled the hot water and Ayden did all the stirring. I thawed and chopped the strawberries ahead of time and he got to add them into the jello. There was lots of sampling with the strawberries, so make sure you have extra! Little ones are more likely to eat the finished product if they're familiar with all the ingredients, so it's good for them to taste the pieces as it's coming together.

Stirring like a pro!

I only used about half the bag of strawberries for this one.

As an added bonus, I made these in individual cups so it's quick and easy to pull out later!

There's no real recipe here...just follow the package instructions on the jello box and toss in your desired amount of fruit...you can't really have too much fruit, in my opinion. We just had so much fun with this, I thought I'd share!

If you enjoyed this post and want to see more ways to have fun with your little ones, check out this post.

Low Carb Creme Brulee

2013-09-18T17:27:00.003-04:00

There is something so indulgent about the silky smooth goodness that is creme brulee. It's one of my favorite desserts to order when we're out and not as tricky to make at home as you might think. I have had this recipe for a low carb creme brulee for as long as I can remember and it's super easy. If you're in Induction, you can leave off the crunchy, sugary topping and still enjoy the rich custard.

Ingredients:
6 egg yolks
1/4 cup Splenda
2 cups heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp granulated sugar (optional)

1. In a mixing bowl, beat together the egg yolks and Splenda together until well blended.

2. Slowing add the cream and vanilla, mixing as you go. Mix well until it begins to froth.

3. Pour into small ramekins and place in a large baking dish.

4. Carefully pour water into the baking dish...be careful not to get any into the ramekins. Fill to about halfway up the sides of the ramekins.

5. Bake for 1 hour at 325 until centers are just set. Remove carefully from the baking dish and let cool.

6. Lightly sprinkle sugar over the tops of the custards.* If you have a butane torch, carefully caramelize the sugar...try to get it golden brown but not black. If you do not have a torch, place the ramekins under the broiler on high and watch them closely and remove when done.

*If you want to cut back further on carbs, omit this step and enjoy the custard as-is. 2 tsp. of sugar has approximately 8 carbs. The servings will vary based on the size of your ramekins.

For an added treat, you can top this with sugar free fruit preserves or whole berries...just be aware that this elevates the carb count, so portion control is key.

Lessons in Parenting: Never Underestimate a Toddler

2013-09-09T11:10:00.001-04:00

I had an experience yesterday that was both funny and one of those 'parenting moments.' Our son is almost two and he's always amazing us with how much he's learned. Here's just one of those moments where he really got the best of us.

If I were a redbox case, where would I be?

We'd brought home a Redbox movie that the hubby's parents had. (It was "Now You See Me," if you're curious...excellent movie.) We'd watched it the night before and since the little one was down for his afternoon nap, I was going to leave him with Aaron so I could return the movie. I had left the case on top of the TV stand which, admittedly, was not so smart because it's low to the ground and therefore, within the reach of small fingers. It wasn't there. Well, great. I had two choices...hunt for this stupid case or pay for the replacement. Yes, it's only around $1.50 to replace the case but still...we're trying to buy a house and our loan program requires us to account for every penny we spend. Anyway...I searched the house high and low. I looked in the bathroom. I looked in the guest room. I moved the couches to see if it was underneath. I even snuck into his room while he napped to look for it. Nothing. I asked Aaron where it was. His response? "I saw it earlier today. Ayden had it." Wow. Thanks.

Just when I was about to give up, I looked hung my head in defeat. There it was. On the DVD shelf.

Today's lesson: never underestimate a toddler. They're smarter than you think.

It's Fall Y'all!

2013-09-05T22:42:00.002-04:00

Well you know it's fall when Starbucks rolls out the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Before you ask, no I haven't gotten one yet but yes, I intend to at some point. Beginning this month, I'm going to be prepping my house/life for the holidays. Yes, I realize Christmas is nearly three months away, but it'll sneak up on me fast. For me, it always feels like once Halloween hits, everything else is rushing in behind it. So preparedness is key. But on the other hand, it's important to 'stop and smell the roses.' What fun are the holidays if you can't enjoy them? So on that note, I'll be writing about my to do lists, both fun and functional, from now until New Years. Of course, I'll still be sharing recipes and other tips in between.

Let's start out with my holiday prep list. My goal is to finish everything on this list before the end of this month. That way, I can enjoy all the fall fun in October...pumpkin patch, here we come!

1. Fall Cleaning
You've all heard of Spring cleaning, but now that summer's over, it's time to do it again. Not to mention, when you start with a clean slate, it's much easier to just do touch ups throughout the busy season. Remember, start from the top of the house and work down. Don't forget your car! Get an oil change and clean the car inside and out!

2. Purge and Organize
This really goes hand-in-hand with my first item. When you're cleaning out your closets, bring fall and winter items to the front and spring and summer items go to the back. While you switch them out, take the opportunity to evaluate your wardrobe and get rid of items that don't fit or are worn out. Go through your pantry and get rid of items that are past their expiration date or you simply won't eat. Keep in mind that unopened, non expired food can be donated to a food bank or homeless shelter. Same goes for clothes and housewares...these are great donation items.

3. Evaluate Your Calendar
If you need to make doctor appointments, now is the time to get them out of the way. Same goes for any house maintenance (i.e. have a toilet that runs? Get a plumber out to nip that in the bud now!). If you plan to have any holiday parties, decide the date as soon as possible so you can send out invitations in plenty of time for your guests to fit you in (don't send out a Christmas invite now...but I would send them out 4 weeks in advance).

4. Prepare for Family Photos
Book your favorite photographer early! Their calendar is likely to fill up fast because everyone wants Christmas photos in time to send out cards. Not sure how soon is soon enough? Just ask. Be clear about the date that you want the finished product ready and they can help you figure out a good date to get your pictures taken. In addition to making your appointment, start thinking and shopping for your outfits. You want to 'go' together without being matchy-matchy...unless you're into that sort of thing. It's good to shop early before the selection gets picked over and gives you plenty of time to shop sales and get alterations done if need be. Oh...and one last thing...get thee to a salon! You don't want your split ends or roots showing! Make an appointment for the whole family to get a nice trim at least a couple weeks before your photo shoot.

A few more optional things to make your holiday season easier...

When you're cooking dinner, double the recipe and freeze half for an easy dinner later.

Stock your pantry with all the supplies you'll need for holiday baking.

Set your gift-giving budget and stick to it. Make a list of all the people you plan to give gifts to. This will make it easier to budget how much you can afford to spend per person. You may also want to give yourself some wiggle room within that budget in case you find yourself invited to a party and in need of a hostess gift.

Lighter Banh Mi Wrap

2013-09-03T16:10:00.000-04:00

When I lived in Tampa, there was a little deli down the road from my office. I usually got something pretty vanilla...ham and cheese, maybe french onion soup...but one day a friend talked me into trying their specialty...the Banh Mi sandwich.

Now, Banh mi actually refers to the type of bread used to make this delicious Vietnamese sandwich. But since I'm watching my carbs and overall, just trying to be healthier, I decided to take the same flavors I found in that delicious sub and incorporate them into something that was permissible in my diet.

I've made this a few times now, and I think I've finally got it down to where we like it. To lighten it up, I use either fish or chicken and I use a low carb wrap. This makes an excellent lunch, but I would recommend packing the ingredients separately and assembling it right before you're ready to eat.

Ingredients (Makes 2 Servings):
2 low carb tortillas
2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1/4 cup shredded purple cabbage
1 radish, thinly sliced
2 tbsp vinegar (I like to use white wine vinegar, but apple cider vinegar works well too)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar substitute (I use Splenda)
2 tbsp mayo**
1 tbsp Siracha
2 fillets fish (tilapia, preferably) OR 2 small chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
Old Bay seasoning or Cajun seasoning
Vegetable oil
2 tbsp cilantro, julienned
Optional ingredients:
onion, thinly sliced (green onions are lower in carbs, but regular ones will be fine if you use them sparingly)
hot pepper, thinly sliced (jalepeno, cayenne...whatever floats your boat!)

Fish

1. In a small bowl, combine cabbage, radish, vinegar, salt, and sugar substitute. Mix well and set aside.
2. In another small bowl, combine mayo and siracha. Mix well and set aside.
3. Rinse your protein and pat dry with paper towels. Season both side liberally. I use Old Bay for the fish and Cajun or even Jerk seasoning for chicken.
4. In a medium skillet, heat oil to medium high heat. Pan fry fish/chicken until cooked through. Fish usually takes a couple minutes on each side. Chicken will take a bit longer depending on thickness.
5. While the meat cooks, assemble the wrap. Drain the cabbage-radish mixture well and pile atop the wrap along with the lettuce and onion.
6. Add meat to the wrap and drizzle with the sauce and garnish with cilantro and peppers. Wrap and enjoy!

Chicken

If you're still in the Induction phase of your low-carb diet, I would recommend forgoing the wrap and subbing in another cup of lettuce and eat this as a salad. You can thin the sauce with a bit of water to make it a delicious dressing!

I will tell you, while this does incorporate a lot of those wonderful flavors from the original sandwich, if you ever have the opportunity to try the real deal--do it! They're so delicious! I hope you enjoy this lighter version. If you have any ideas for foods that you'd like to see a low-carb version of, please submit it and I'll find one and post my findings!

**When on a low carb diet, high fat items such as mayo are OK. However, if you're not on a low carb diet and just want a lighter overall recipe, omit the mayo and just drizzle the wrap with Siracha. Just be cautious...it's hot!

Low Carb Guac-Burger Wrap

2013-08-31T01:07:00.003-04:00

When we adopted a low carb lifestyle, we were forced to give up a lot of old favorites. Mac and cheese, pizza, burgers...and after a while, you really start to miss them. It's not that I can't have them, but I can't have them all the time and really, I don't want to eat that way anymore...I'd rather be healthy. So I have to find a way to incorporate those flavors into our new lifestyle by tweaking the recipes a bit. One thing we both had a craving for was a good, juicy burger. Here's our take on it:

2 low carb tortillas

1 lb ground beef (I prefer 85/15)

1 avocado

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 green onion

1 cayenne pepper (I used fresh cayenne from the garden, you can also used powdered cayenne)

1 tbsp fresh chopped cilantro

salt, pepper, garlic powder, and lime juice all to taste

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat. Meanwhile, mix up the ground beef with your desired spices. I used garlic powder, salt and pepper. Form into long, thin patties. When the grill is hot, place patties on the grill and cook to desired temperature.

2. While the burgers cook, open the avocado and remove the flesh. Put this either into a small food processor or a small bowl and mash with a fork. Add garlic powder, salt, lime juice, cilantro, cayenne pepper, and green onion. Mix well.

3. When the patties are cooked to your liking, remove from heat.

4. Assemble the wraps. Place the tortilla on a plate and the patties down the center. Top with guacamole and cheese. Wrap and eat!

These were delicious and really hit the spot! I hope you enjoy them!

One Caffeine Free Week

2013-08-31T00:49:00.000-04:00

Hi, my name is Melissa and I'm a caffeine addict. I really only have maybe one cup of coffee per day and I only drink soda when we're eating out. My real vice: tea.

I LOVE iced tea. I make it unsweetened and use Splenda. I drink it morning, noon and night. Now most of you are laughing at me because tea is actually pretty healthy in comparison to soda, right? I'm inclined to agree. But I'm not a doctor and my husband seems to think he knows better than me...he claims that black tea is not really that good for you because it contains caffeine and if I'm going to drink tea it should be green tea. Two things: screw him and pass me the Splenda. No really, I dug my heels in on this one. I have given up carbs...no potatoes, no rice, no bread, no sugar...hell, I don't even eat most fruits! I was NOT giving up that beautiful amber elixir of the gods. No. Just no. But after a "discussion" about the evils of caffeine, he somehow talked me into going one week without all beverages besides water.

So one other thing you should know about me: I HATE water. I hate water more than I love tea. For me, water is good for three things: cooking, cleaning, and making tea. That's it. You don't drink it because it's gross...it doesn't taste like anything! Yuck!

So my first day sans caffeine was pretty rough, I won't lie. I barely drank anything because I loathe the "flavor" of water so much...which living in Florida in August, that's just not a good idea. I was miserable. I felt like garbage. But, I'm stubborn and wanted to prove to my husband that I could do it. So on to day two...

Can we just agree that caffeine is a life-saver? I'm fairly certain there were at least three instances where I seriously considered homicide to be a perfectly reasonable response to something my husband was doing. I seem to remember one being because my husband helped himself to another helping of ice cream but had to dirty another bowl to do so.

I think my lowest point was when I went to Publix the other day. In order to get home, I have to drive by a Dunkin Donuts and all I kept thinking was, "they have awesome iced tea. I think it's any size for 99 cents and I could probably suck it down before I get home...he'd never know!" I am proud to tell you that I resisted temptation. However, it didn't strike me until later, recounting my story to my husband, that I really might have a problem. I considered "cheating" for a glass of tea. I could have gotten a doughnut! If I was going to cheat, wouldn't that be the thing I want most? The doughnut I haven't had in MONTHS vs. the tea I got to have three days ago!?!?

Fast forward, the week is over and it's not so bad. I actually discovered a little recipe, if you will, that makes water more palatable. I've been sucking down this water like it's going out of style and I feel GREAT. I woke up this morning and didn't miss the coffee or the tea. I don't get headaches from the withdrawal, and I just feel better about myself for making another healthy choice. So anyway, here's my 'recipe.'

I keep mine in 2 qt bottles.

1 gallon water (I used the filtered stuff from the fridge)

2 limes

1 lemon

1/2 cucumber

1. Wash and slice your produce.

2. Add to water. Refrigerate for at least an hour.

3. Drink in copious amounts. :-)

I read on Pinterest, where I originally found this little recipe, that lemons aid in the absorption of sugars and calcium and help to curb your sweet tooth, limes promote a healthy digestive tract, and cucumber acts as a diuretic and flush fat cells. The original recipe calls for mint, as well, but I didn't have any one hand. I plan to pick some up the next time I'm out. Just another little tip...when you add mint to a drink like this, give it a little spank...it releases some of the oils in the leaves without completely tearing it up.

Oh, and just FYI...we're on week four of our low-carb lifestyle and I'm down 11 pounds! Yay!

Sorry!

2013-08-15T02:14:00.002-04:00

Hey, all! Sorry it's been soooo long since my last post. I'd tell you all the things we've been up to during that time, but for the most part, it's not noteworthy...just the usual summer stuff. However, one big change that we've made more recently is we're doing a new eating plan. I say eating plan rather than 'diet' because it's more of a lifestyle change than a temporary thing. We've chosen to "do the low carb thing." I know...it's old news, but I tried it back when I was 17 and first diagnosed as pre-diabetic. Back then, I lost 40 pounds and felt amazing. Since then, I've become less careful about what I eat, had a baby and packed on more pounds, and then just quit caring. I decided that it was time to take better care of my body and here's why:

1. My Son
My little boy is a big motivator for me. I want to set a good example for him. I want him to see parents that make smart choices when it comes to health. I want him to see parents with a good body image. And most importantly, I want to be healthy enough to really participate in his life and participate for as long as possible.

2. I'm Tired
My weight really does just make me tired. Carrying extra weight and eating unhealthy foods zaps your energy. I want to have energy!

3. I Miss My Old Wardrobe!
Ok, so this one is a little shallow...but I miss looking cute in clothes. I used to LOVE dressing myself in cute outfits. Now, shopping for clothes is just frustrating because nothing fits well. Don't even get me started on shopping for jeans...or shorts...or skirts. You know what, I think you get the picture.

Anyway, I don't really need a lot of reasons to lose weight and be healthy, but there you go.

My wonderful husband has decided not only to be supportive, but to join me. I am so lucky :-) The hardest part for him has been giving up beer and candy.

I will be sharing some of my new recipes once I really get them down. I've been so focused on counting my carbs that I forget to take pictures!! We are 13 days in and I've already dropped approximately 5 pounds, so I'll be sharing my progress with you periodically.

SinfulShine with Gel Tech Review

2013-07-11T14:45:00.000-04:00

5x shinier than a patent leather shoe!

For my final product review from the Sunkissed Vox Box by Influenster, I will be writing about the Sinful Shine with Gel Tech nail polish. This polish is available at Walgreens for $2.99 and comes in 32 colors. The color I got from Influenster was "In the Limelight."

First of all, I love Sinful nail polish. It's inexpensive but not cheap. What's the difference? Inexpensive means it doesn't cost a lot; cheap means it's not worth a lot. This is inexpensive nail polish. It goes on smooth and has great coverage. When I say 'coverage' I mean it doesn't take a million coats to achieve the color you want. I did two coats just for good measure, but if I'd been in a hurry, I could've stopped at one.

ooooo...shiny!

Ok so specifically, the SinfulShine with Gel Tech is awesome. I'm so glad I got to try it! It's everything I love about a good polish. For the most part, I'm not a glitter person and even shimmer is starting to annoy me with nail polish. I like flat color but I want it to be shiny. I just feel like non-shimmery nail polish is sleek and sophisticated. It goes well for every day wear without looking childish. Ordinarily I would have thought OPI was my only option for this type of polish but I HATE spending so much money on my nails. So now that I've tried SinfulShine, I'm going to stick with it! I will actually be heading to Walgreens later today to purchase a new color (sorry, Influenster, I just don't care for the color green when it comes to nailpolish). Thankfully, there are 31 more shades for me to choose from. I'll probably go with the "Picante"...a nice bright red is classic! Or maybe the playful, pink shade "Come Hither" would be fun for a summertime mani!