Save Money, Live Joyfully

This Week's Menu

2013-06-17T17:47:00.001-07:00

We had nectarines last week. Oh boy, did we have nectarines! Stinker ate 10 in a single sitting yesterday. How I love the fresh fruit of summer! Thanks to the bounty, you'll see "fresh fruit" a lot this week in our menu :)

Breakfasts
-Zucchini Muffins and fresh fruit x 3
-Waffles and fresh fruit x2
-Pancakes and fresh fruit
-Bagels and fresh fruit

Lunches
-Leftovers x 3
-Out to eat x 2
-Ham Sandwiches, Fresh Fruit x 2

Dinners
-Grilled Burgers, Corn on the Cob
-Slow Cooker Black Bean and Cheese Burritos, Fresh Fruit, Homemade Guacamole x 2
-Pizza and Salad
-Baked Salmon, Rice, Broccoli
-Meatballs in some form x 2

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Saving Money...Eating Organic

2013-06-17T14:20:00.002-07:00

With the official start of summer coming up later this week, many people are looking forward to eating lighter, healthier meals full of fresh produce that remind us of warm weather and summer nights.

One of the most popular healthy trends right now is eating organically. Organic foods are free of typical pesticides and genetically modified organisms, but are often significantly more expensive than their conventionally grown counterparts. Is it possible to eat organically without breaking the bank?

1. Prioritize
-Research foods that are most likely to contain pesticides or be genetically modified. Consider purchasing organic for the major offenders, while purchasing conventionally for other foods. For example, I rarely purchase organic bananas, because the peel protects the fruit itself from pesticides. Eating organically doesn't have to be all or nothing. Save in some areas, while splurging in others.

2. Consider Homegrown
-Even if you have a small yard (like us), you can still grow your own food. We grow strawberries in pots, and have dwarf citrus trees that require little space. Our dwarf tangerine tree is about 3 feet tall and a foot wide at the base, but yields around 100 tangerines a year!

-However, homegrown doesn't have to mean you grow something yourself. Research local organic farms and sign up for a CSA basket. You are at the mercy of what's in season, but you'll probably get a great selection of organic produce for much less than purchasing at the grocery store.

3. Stretch Meat
-As with conventionally grown items, you'll get more bang for your buck if you use meat as a side with produce as the star of the meal. Read my top 5 tips for stretching meat here. I have found the best deals in my area for organic chicken and ground beef at Costco, but if you have local farms, you could buy a side of beef and split with a friend or store in the freezer.

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An Update, an Apology, and Encouragement

2013-05-31T14:18:00.004-07:00

First of all, I apologize to all my readers for being largely MIA the last few weeks. May was an insane month. I had three days the entire month, including weekends, with nothing on the calendar. Junior had between 3 and 5 doctor/therapies appointments every week, and Stinker filled in the gaps with gymnastics and soccer. Plus, Junior celebrated his first birthday. We celebrated his coming through so much, but the future is still unknown. Tests are out to determine whether he has any genetic conditions or syndromes that will cause a degenerative effect in many of the things we take for granted...vision, range of motion, walking, etc. I haven't been able to rest or stop worrying, but we likely won't receive results for several months. I would definitely appreciate your prayers for Junior's continued health and that he has no additional issues besides the hearing loss.

I hope to be back on a regular blogging schedule in the coming days and weeks. In the meantime, let me leave you with some encouragement:

I know what it's like to be exhausted, and helpless, and discouraged. When nothing is going your way, and just breathing in and out is an accomplishment. I know grief and pain, and anger and frustration. I have known those things all too well since the start of last year. I say "I trust God with my life", but actually feeling at peace when so many circumstances are out of my control is a different story. A friend of mine shared this verse not too long ago, and it gave me a little burst of encouragement.

Psalm 34:10 says:

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

God knows everything that's happening, and if He hasn't given us something right now, it's because He has something even better planned for us. So very, very hard to believe when everything is "going wrong", but tuck that away and know that He knows our struggles and pain and despite it all, He has plans to prosper and not harm, no matter what is happening in our lives. Sometimes you just have to know and believe and let the feelings follow later.

Guest Post: Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy

2013-05-16T13:34:00.002-07:00

Since I had two very difficult pregnancies and have sought to block out those times of my life, I'm glad to share this guest post from Katie about healthy habits during pregnancy. Check out her blog, Moore From Katie, for more tips and ideas!

Guest Post from Katie at Moore From Katie

Natural Tips for Mom and Baby

When a woman becomes pregnant she has a lifetime of dreams ahead of her. Anticipating the baby’s arrival, striving to enjoyable a comfortable pregnancy and making plans to be as healthy as possible are just a few things that are on a woman’s mind when the news of the conception is received. For me, I was determined to make my pregnancy an enjoyable one!

Following a few simple steps can prepare you to have a comfortable pregnancy and will also prepare you to provide your baby with top-quality nutrition and care.

The Benefits of Water and Rest
If you are looking forward to having either a natural delivery or cesarean section, it is important for your body to be strong, healthy and equipped to handle the trials of labor. The stronger your body is during your pregnancy, the easier it will be for you to meet your goal of having a wonderful delivery!

Drinking a lot of water will help you to flush unwanted toxins from your body. Water will also help you to deal with headaches and joint aches during pregnancy. Getting plenty of rest is important so your mind and body feel equipped to handle each new day without feeling the stress of being depleted and overworked. Try getting to bed an hour or half hour early each evening during your pregnancy. Don’t hesitate to indulge in a weekend nap and make sure you get off your feet as much as possible.

Begin Planning Organic Baby Food Meals
If you enjoy eating organic foods, it is a whole new ballgame preparing organic baby food! While it is a challenge to fix healthy baby food, it is also a fun journey that will give your baby wonderful nutrients when he or she is old enough to eat solid foods.

Purchasing wholesome foods such as organic sweet potatoes, organic peas and unprocessed oatmeal will give you an excellent foundation to begin making healthy and nutritious foods for your baby once he is ready to eat solids. Finding these foods at farmers’ markets is one of the best places to get chemical-free foods without spending a fortune. Learning how to prepare them during pregnancy will make it a breeze to slip into the habit of making wholesome foods for your child when it is time. These simple steps really benefited me, and I hope they will help you out, too!

As with any aspect of your pregnancy, please make sure to consult with your doctor before making any changes. My doctor helped me make decisions about nutrition, delivery options, cord blood banking options and so much more. Hopefully you can enjoy a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Katie Moore has written and submitted this article. Katie is an active blogger who discusses the topics of, motherhood, children, fitness, health and all other things Mommy. She enjoys writing, blogging, and meeting new people! To connect with Katie contact her via her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter, @moorekm26

Book Review...Little Blessings:Bedtime Stories and Prayers

2013-05-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

I’m always on the lookout for quality children’s books, especially ones I can read out loud to my kids. (Now that Junior can hear, he enjoys listening as well!) When Little Blessings: Bedtime Stories and Prayers arrived in our mailbox, my 4-year old immediately took it and started “reading” it to herself. While she wasn’t actually reading the words, she proclaimed “I love it!!”, then gave me the chance to read it. Little Blessings: Bedtime Stories and Prayers is made up of four previously published poems and stories, brought together in this one book suitable for reading to a child right before bed, or anytime actually. The poems are light and fanciful, and easy for a young child to follow along. They talk about blessings, and about how God created the nighttime, so they don't need to feel scared.

Once I finally got a hold of the book when my daughter was finished, I could immediately understand why she loved it! On first glance, the illustrations are adorable, and very well done. It seemed somehow familiar to me…I then noticed that Elena Kucharik, the Care Bears creator and illustrator, was the artist. The illustrations make the book, I think. They are absolutely charming. I think this book is a wonderful addition to our children’s book collection, and would make for a wonderful baby shower gift or gift for any child who enjoys being read to.

*While I was provided a complimentary copy of Little Blessings: Bedtime Stories and Prayers from Tyndale House Publishers, all opinions regarding the book are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Slow Cooker Refried Beans

2013-05-05T20:06:00.000-07:00

Ever since I posted my slow cooker black bean recipe, waaaaay back in the day that I first started this blog, people have been asking how they can tweak the recipe to make refried beans. Well, you'll be happy to hear that slow cooker refried beans are very simple to make, and don't require any lard, (like the truly authentic taqueria beans), but still taste amazing.

Slow Cooker Refried Beans

1.5 C dry pinto beans, picked through and rinsed
4.5 C hot water (helps the beans cook faster)
1 TBS minced garlic
1/2 onion peeled, left whole OR 1/2 C finely chopped onion
2.5 teaspoons salt
3/4 tsp pepper
1/2 or 1/4 chopped jalapeno depending on your spice tolerance (seeds removed)

Combine all ingredients, cook on low 8 to 10 hours, or until soft. If using whole onion, discard.
Remove beans to a large bowl, and reserve water in slow cooker. Add 1/2 to 1 C of cooking liquid at a time to beans, and mash with a potato masher or fork until desired consistency is attained.
Serve and enjoy!

Note: Like my black beans, I like to start these on high for 3-4 hours, then switch to low for 5-6 hours. If your beans do not seem to cook in 8-10 hours on low, try this method. I have found there to be a variance in the cooking times for different brands of dried beans. The older the beans, the longer they take to cook as well.

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Junior's Story...Part 3

2013-04-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

Read Parts One and Two of Junior's Story.

After receiving the diagnosis that Junior was profoundly deaf, we were left with more questions than answers. Obviously, we needed to process the shock of having a child with special needs, then have to make some decisions that would affect the rest of his life. Did we want to immerse him in the deaf community, teaching him to communicate via sign language? Or did we want to pursue the cochlear implant option, that would allow him to mainstream into society?

After much prayer and consideration, we chose the path that would allow Junior to receive a cochlear implant. Many dozens of doctor's appointments ensued, as well as a hospital visit to determine via MRI if his anatomy would support an implant. After months of waiting, which seemed like an eternity, we were grateful beyond words to find out that Junior was, in fact, a cochlear implant candidate.

A cochlear implant does not restore normal hearing (some say that sound is perceived as somewhat mechanical), and any residual hearing must be destroyed in order to perform the surgery, but with enough therapy and exposure to sound, Junior will be able to hear and develop near normal speech.

At 8 months old, we watched as the Operating Room nurse carried Junior back, wearing his baby hospital gown, and smiling at us. After a 7 hour surgery, we were told all was successful. Junior's surgery site had to heal for the next three weeks, then we would attach the external implant pieces and be able to "turn them on", allowing him to hear for the first time.

The moment that Junior first heard my voice was surreal. I called his name and he turned. He heard my husband's voice and smiled. Sound is a small thing that almost everyone takes for granted, but to us, Junior's simply hearing our voices is the miracle we had be praying for, and we thank God every day that he has given our boy this opportunity.

Junior Wearing his Cochlear Implants

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Book Review: "When Jesus Wept"

2013-04-23T20:48:00.000-07:00

As a self-proclaimed history nerd, I enjoy reading books that have an historical element, and historical fiction has always been my favorite book genre.

My favorite authors of this genre to date has to be Brock and Bodie Thoene. They have written dozens of gripping books over more than a few series, including settings in 1930s Germany, 1940s Israel, and the 1st Century AD. The Thoene's most recent series, The Jerusalem Chronicles, takes a creative stab at the life of Jesus, and His followers and ministry. The first book in this series, When Jesus Wept (Jerusalem Chronicles, The), focuses on the life of Lazarus.

The thing I like most about the Thoene's writing is also the most aggravating at times. They bring so much detail and character development to their stories, that I can bank on the first 50 pages being really slow. Luckily, once I've gotten past the background information and character development, the rest of the book flies by and I can't seem to put it down.

When Jesus Wept brings the story of Lazarus to life, and through a fictional account of Lazarus's background, allows you to feel connected to him through his journey as a vineyard owner to being the center of one of Jesus's most famous miracles--raising him from the dead. One of my favorite parts of the book was how the Thoene's used vineyard allegories and comparisons when describing Jesus's miracles and mission. The book was very interesting, and I like how they brought characters and incidents in from some of their previous books so it felt very pulled together.

Jesus Wept was different from some of the other Thoene books in terms of action. Their series that are set in the early state of Israel (Palestine in 1947-1948), and Germany and Austria in the 1930s are filled with action, tense scenarios, and adventure. Jesus Wept is more dialogue and character building for what I'm assuming will be the rest of the series. It did a good job portraying Jesus as human while still presenting Him as the fullness of God, and I enjoyed how they described Jesus's miracle of the Water into Wine at the wedding, using some of the background information on vineyards and wine making the Thoene's had presented in the early pages when introducing us to Lazarus.

In summary, I enjoyed this book, but I wouldn't say this was my favorite series thus far. I would have liked to have seen more action, and there were obviously some creative liberties taken in describing how they imagined Jesus and His followers.

**I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher for review. All reviews and opinions are my own.

What's In My Fridge? And Weekly Menu

2013-04-22T09:11:00.001-07:00

You know when you're out shopping, and you run into someone you know? What's the first thing you do? Of course, it's to look into their cart and see what they're buying. Today, I'm pretending you saw me in the grocery store and I'm opening my fridge for the world to see.

Notice the three different kinds of milk...apparently everyone in my house drinks a different milk. I have a bunch of sour cream (Stinker thinks it goes with everything), a Costco thing of mayo (for my famous Jalalpeno Cheese Dip), loads of fruit, some leftover pizza from going out this weekend, some leftover rice from Freezer Friendly Simple Chicken Soup (used rice instead of noodles this time), some leftover olives from enchiladas, and a few bottles of my favorite soda of all time, Cheerwine. It has no wine, it's just a super fizzy and delicious cherry soda. It's my guilty pleasure.

What's in your fridge today?

Here's our menu for this week as well:

Sunday
Chicken Enchiladas, Slow Cooker Pinto Beans (subbed black beans for pintos), Chips and Salsa

Monday
Baked Potato Bar, Steamed Broccoil, Spicy Cheese Sauce

Tuesday
Egg Rolls and Veggie Fried Rice

Wednesday
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Garlic Bread
Green Beans

Thursday
Leftover Spaghetti and Meatballs, et al

Friday
Something in the slow cooker using stew beef...not sure what yet

Saturday
Leftovers

What's on your menu this week?

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Perfect French Toast

2013-04-19T20:01:00.000-07:00

French toast is one of those dishes that everyone expects something a little different from. From the texture of the bread to the amount of sweetness, to the egg-milk ratio, it seems that everyone makes this dish a little differently.

I personally like french toast that gets a nice crust and is cooked through (I'm not a fan of the soggy, undercooked versions that occur when bread is sliced too thick or is oversaturated with the egg-milk mixture.) So, that's what this recipe creates. It's my perfect french toast combination. Slightly sweet, but not overpoweringly so, with a perfect texture. I either use leftover french bread or if I find day old bakery bread on sale, I will plan on making this for breakfast the next morning.

My kids love this recipe too. I'll make a batch (one loaf of bread yields about 10-12 slices), and we'll reheat them in the toaster for a couple days worth of breakfasts.

*One note--if you can't find whole nutmeg to grind yourself, omit it altogether. Fresh nutmeg has an inherently different taste than the pre-ground jarred version.

Perfect French Toast

1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg (*see note above)

3 tablespoons sugar

6 eggs
1/2 cup milk or coconut milk or almond milk (we use coconut milk)

1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract

10-12 slices french or ciabatta bread, sliced to 1/2" thickness

Butter for greasing pan

In a frying pan, melt a small amount of butter over medium heat. Mix together cinnamon, sugar, fresh nutmeg if using, eggs, milk, and vanilla and pour into an 8x8 baking dish. Dip bread in egg mixture. Cook slices until golden, then turn to cook other side. Repeat until all bread is used. Serve warm, or cool and reheat in toaster.

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I Lost a Good Friend Today...

2013-04-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

This is Jedidiah Jericho. Little Jed. Faithful friend, sweet puppy, gentle soul. He just turned 13 a few weeks ago, and became an angel in Doggie Heaven this weekend. He was a snuggler (when he wanted), a protector (though only 11 pounds, he once tried to take on a possum to "protect" us), and hungry (even with multiple allergies, he would try and sneak bacon.)

He was a faithful friend in every sense of the word. He never held a grudge, he was always excited to see me, he would lay his head on my shoulder and let me hold him like a baby...when I felt like no one else understood me, I could pick up Jed, hold him close, and his smelly little puppy kisses would turn the world okay for a little while. He will be greatly missed, and fondly remembered.

When he was a puppy and I was a goofy kid, I would dress him up and take pictures. He was always so patient and waited faithfully for the promised treat once I was finished. I always knew Jed saw himself as a human. He had more facial expressions than I've ever seen on a dog, and a real sense of humor. The first take of these now-famous-amongst-friends-and-family Jed shots was precious. He sat there dutifully while I arranged his hat and the pose.

But, by the eighth shot...

You could tell he was a little annoyed. The glare! That was Jed. I'll miss him, and I'll always love him. I am so grateful for the sweet puppy he was.

Weekly Menu-April 8-13

2013-04-08T12:48:00.001-07:00

It's baseball season again! Oh how I love the smell of freshly mowed grass. And nachos.

I made a batch of Protein Packed Breakfast Cookies yesterday and will have them on hand for simple breakfasts along with fresh fruit. Stinker has a cold, and Junior has some doctor's appointments, so between the driving and running and temperature taking and making sure everyone is drinking enough water, I'm going to be cooking when I can. That means crock pot some days, and easy prep other days.

Monday:
Mushroom Burgundy Veggie Sauce over Egg Noodles, French Bread
(The kids will probably have noodles and fruit instead of the mushroom sauce.)

Tuesday:
Spaghetti and Meatballs, Green Beans, French Bread

Wednesday:
Crock Pot Beef Stew, French Bread

Thursday:
Leftover Stew

Friday:
Homemade Pizza, Salad

Saturday:
Leftovers

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DIY: Travel Lap Tray

2013-04-07T20:12:00.001-07:00

I'm really excited about my DIY project today!

Stinker likes to draw/color/write in the car, but inevitably, it makes a mess and markers go everywhere whenever I make a turn. So I decided to make a contained tray that would allow her to keep all her projects in one place.

I purchased a cookie sheet from the dollar store. I found a notebook on clearance at Michaels, as well as adhesive magnetic strips, and found a small container and mini dry erase board erasers in the Target Dollar Spot. I had washable dry erase markers on hand, but you could use any markers. They don't have to be dry erase. The cookie sheet is a great surface to write on...simply erase with a dry erase eraser or a damp paper towel.

I merely cut the magnetic strips to size and attached them to the notebook and small container, then stuck them to the cookie sheet. That's it! You can also place the magnetic adhesive on other things, such as action figures or blocks*.

*Magnets are a choking hazard. Make sure your child is supervised while playing with anything that has a removable magnet. Ensure the magnet is properly affixed to the toy before giving it to your child.

Stinker is going to be so excited when I give it to her. She might even bring it everywhere we go, and not just use it in the car!

Price:
Cookie Sheet....... $1.00
Small Container.....$1.00
Notebook.............$0.50
Dry Erase Erasers.$1.00
Magnetic Strips....$1.79 (though I only used about a third of the bag, I'm including the full price.)
-----------------------------
Total...................$5.29

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Living Joyfuly: Sweet and Salty

2013-04-07T12:59:00.000-07:00

Whenever I make cookies, whether my famous "Everything Cookies", or my daughter's favorite Protein Packed Breakfast Cookies, I always add a bit of salt to the dough. Why? Because the salt enhances the sweetness of the cookies, and balances the flavors. Too much salt can ruin the batch, but just a little creates the perfect recipe.

In the same way, the salty parts of our lives--the challenges, the trials, and the frustrations--make the good times that much sweeter. My son's diagnosis, while devastating at the time and created many more challenges than we were ever expecting, has given me a new perspective on life. The saltiness of the situation is constantly reminding me of the sweetness in my life:

-I don't worry about the little things as much--they're really just little things.

-I'm grateful for the things I have. I recently read a quote that spoke to me. It said something to the effect of "The things you take for granted, someone else is praying for". How true is that?

-I realize that my attitude determines my life, not the other way around. There will always be challenges, and if I'm constantly waiting for one problem to resolve itself, I'll never be happy because something else will always pop up.

Yes, it is hard to be joyful in the most difficult of circumstances. Truthfully, I'm usually not. But, I also know that "this too shall pass", and when I finally make it out of the hardest parts, I look back and am grateful for the sweetness that the saltiness made me realize.

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5 Ideas for Spaghetti Noodles

2013-04-03T10:11:00.002-07:00

Chicken Stir Fry with Spaghetti Noodles and Naan

Spaghetti seems to be the workhorse of the pantry. It's 4:58pm. Your husband will be home in a half hour, and the kids are ~~whining incessantly~~ asking for food. You totally forgot to defrost meat for dinner. What do you do? In my house, this means Spaghetti Night!

Spaghetti is great, but I like options and variety, so here are my top 5 ways to use spaghetti noodles.

1. Stir Fry
-Usually, we serve rice with our stir fry fixins. But, using spaghetti noodles instead makes for a great stir fry dish. Simply stir fry up your favorite veggies and proteins, and toss (including any extra sauce) with spaghetti noodles and serve.

2. Chicken Noodle Soup
-Egg noodles are the traditional noodle of choice for chicken soup, but broken spaghetti noodles are delicious as well (just ask Campbells!).

3. Chili Spaghetti
-If you have leftover chili sitting around (or in the freezer), top spaghetti with chili, cheese, and sour cream for a not-so-authentic Cincinnati Chili variation.

4. Pasta Salad
-For a light summery main course, break spaghetti noodles in half, cook until al dente and rinse to stop the cooking process. Drain well and toss with salad dressing, and veggies such as peppers, spinach, tomatoes, and olives. Add some cheese (such as feta) and some chicken if you'd like, let chill for a couple hours, and serve!

5. Spaghetti Sandwiches
-Whenever I make spaghetti with salad and garlic bread, I inevitably end up making a sandwich out of my meal. Why? I have no idea. But, it's delicious. Just toss some spaghetti noodles with warm sauce, stuff into toasted rolls, top with parmesan and mozzarella cheese and lettuce, and drizzle ranch over the whole thing.

One last idea--Freeze Them!
This isn't a recipe, but it's good to know that spaghetti noodles can be frozen for next time. Perhaps whip up a batch of my favorite freezer friendly meatballs, or some of my famous pesto.

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Junior's Story...Part II

2013-03-27T20:11:00.000-07:00

Read the first part of Junior's Story HERE

After a grueling pregnancy, mostly spent on bed rest, and a loss in the family (not to mention a devastating diagnosis for another close family member), we were beyond ready for the joy of meeting our beautiful little boy. Following an uncomplicated labor and delivery, Junior was finally here.

"Something's Not Right"
All babies in California must be given a newborn hearing screen before their release from the hospital. At 12 hours old, a nurse came in to test Junior. He didn't pass, but she assured me they had tested too early, and he probably still had residual fluid in his ears from the birth. After all, "everyone passes". The next day, before discharge, another nurse tested him. Again, he failed. We endured two more failed tests in the following weeks, before we met with a pediatric Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist who commented that Junior's ears were, indeed, filled with fluid and that the issue should resolve itself within the next few months. So we waited. Hopeful, yet guarded.

The Diagnosis
After a follow-up with the ENT determining his ears were clear of fluid, 3-month old Junior had one more hearing test. After no brain activity or nerve function was detected in the presence of sound, he was diagnosed as being profoundly deaf. Immediately, my world came crashing down. This child who was supposed to be a healer, supposed to be the catalyst for healing in a still-grieving family, would likely never hear my voice, or be able to speak that he loves me. That day was a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, sadness, fear, regret, frustration...I was completely overwhelmed in every way possible.

The Aftermath
I was very low for the next few months. Depressed isn't even the right word. I questioned God's sovereignty. I questioned His plan. I questioned His love. But, at the same time I dug deeper into Him than I ever had before, because I had no where else to go.
He taught me that I needed to love our little boy, despite his being imperfect in the eyes of the world, because all of us are imperfect and flawed, but God loves us completely anyway.
He also taught me that true joy is in Him, and not in my circumstances.
Soon, I had a peace that everything would be okay. That I would soon see God's glory in the life of my son.

Read the last part of Junior's Story next time!

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My Favorite Things at Trader Joes: Frozen Entrees

2013-03-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

Ohhhh the frozen aisle of Trader Joes. Not only is it packed with delicious meals, but the top of the shelves are lined with all sorts of sweet, chocolatey, sugary, how-come-they-always-go-straight-to-my-hips treats.

But, today, I'm only focusing on the Frozen Entrees. Please chime in with your favorites as well!

Stinker loves these turkey corn dogs for lunches. The corn battering is sweet and crispy and it's nitrate free!

These pasta dishes are my pick for a quick lunch. Well, once I pick every single nasty little cherry tomato out of the vegetable pasta. I love salsa and spaghetti sauce, but raw or chunks of cooked tomato are just icky. My husband feels the same way. I think that's the real reason he married me.

These burritos are delicious. But, a word of caution--don't cook them in the microwave, cook them in the oven, otherwise the tortillas get hard.

These handmade pizzas taste great. But, they are a little on the small side, so there definitely aren't any leftovers like we would get with a homemade pizza.

We enjoy these chicken skewers. They say "marinated chipotle", but they don't have an overly Mexican vibe. In fact, I usually serve them with pita, veggies, and rice pilaf!

See my favorite things from other sections at Trader Joes:
Snacks and Chips
Refrigerated

Weekly Menu-March 24-March 30

2013-03-25T19:45:00.001-07:00


These amazing refried beans? My black bean recipe using pintos and mashed up!

I've come a long way in my culinary pursuits. I still have a scar on my right hand, ever immortalizing the great "Frozen Taquito Incident of 1997". Apparently there are burners on top of the inside of the oven. Who knew?

As a child I would eat plain cheeseburgers, plain noodles, and plain cheese pizza. And not much else. Luckily, I have come a long way in my tastes. Yesterday I made a spinach and mushroom lasagna....two ingredients, had I been forced to eat 10 years ago, probably would have killed me. Now, I love them. I have also branched out to try sushi (eh, raw fish will never be my thing), salmon (it's Stinker's favorite meal!), and blue cheese (sorry, but I go out of my way to avoid moldy cheese, not eat it). I'm open to trying almost any food now. So, there is hope for your little picky eaters! Your chicken nugget connoisseur may grow up to love mushrooms and sushi!

Stinker has been hating on cheese lately. Don't ask me why. I cannot claim to understand why she does what she does. But, she got black beans and fruit when everyone else had lasagna last night. She missed out!

Sunday
Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna
French Bread

Monday
Black Bean Burritos
Avocado, Salsa, and Chips

Tuesday
Leftover Lasagna

Wednesday
Black Bean Quesadillas
Green Salad

Thursday
Lentil Soup
Biscuits

Friday
Homemade Pizza (toppings TBD)
Green Salad

Saturday
Attending a Wedding

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Junior's Story...Part I

2013-03-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

My then-3 year old daughter, painted this picture of our soon-to-be-completed family several weeks before our son was born. We had a beautiful daughter, and were expecting a precious little boy. Life was good. We could not wait to welcome our son, and counted down the days to when he would make his grand appearance. Little did we know that his arrival would flip our lives upside down.

The Pregnancy
I found out I was pregnant on a Sunday in September. While a planned pregnancy, I cried when I found out, only because I knew what I was going to expect. Among other issues, I had severe morning sickness all 40 weeks with my daughter (well, 39, as she decided to vacate a week early, probably out of pity for me.) Imagine the worst food poisoning you've ever had...then imagine suffering through it for 24 hours a day for 8 and a half months. I still shudder to think about it. Sure enough, about 5 weeks into my pregnancy, the morning sickness started. It was intense and unwavering, but not nearly as bad as with my daughter when I had lost 15 pounds, so I knew it was going to be a boy.

While praying for my children one night, God placed on my heart that this baby was going to be a "healer." I didn't know what that meant, but kept it in my heart.

At 11 weeks pregnant I started spotting, and was put on bedrest. The first week wasn't so bad...no cleaning, (vacuuming was especially prohibited), and people bringing meals...but then the weeks turned into months. I had an active and energetic 3 year old at home who couldn't understand why Mommy couldn't play with her. Frustration began to set in.

Soon after Christmas we confirmed our baby was indeed a boy. Three days later, my mother-in-law passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. We were all grief-stricken, but the words "this baby will be a healer" popped into my head. Perhaps this boy was going to heal our family from our great loss.

Junior's Arrival
We worked through the next few months, until finally, I went into labor. (After 24 weeks of bedrest, I was off for one measly week, then put back on for high blood pressure until delivery, so it couldn't have come soon enough!) After 5 hours of labor and three pushes, Junior was finally here. He was beautiful. Perfect. Precious.

That night, the nurses came in to perform a few routine tests. I was not prepared for the results, and suddenly our entire world changed...

Be Sure to Read the Second Part of Junior's Story Next Time...

Weekly Menu--March 17-23, 2013

2013-03-18T17:01:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love Spring. I love the "lighter later" seasons because I can go for a run after dinner and I feel like I get more accomplished when the sun doesn't go down until after 7pm. I made the nachos pictured above last week. We're not having them again, they just look delicious and I was hungry writing this post.

Junior has had a lot of therapy appointments and follow up appointments after his surgery last month, so I've been a bad saving-money-blogger person. We've been eating out for lunch faaaaar too often the last few weeks, and that's going to stop this week! (Not counting today when we got In-N-Out on the way home from therapy.) But, I hope to plan ahead for our lunches and pack them, as opposed to stopping between appointments the rest of the week.

Sunday, 3/17

Meatball Sandwiches

Potato Chips

Fruit

Monday, 3/18

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Green Salad

Tuesday, 3/19

Mushroom and Steak Sandwiches

Fresh Fruit

Wednesday, 3/20

Greek Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing

Warm Flatbread

Thursday, 3/21

Black Bean and Rice Bowls with Avocado

Sauteed Bell Peppers

Warm Tortillas

Friday, 3/22

Mushroom Pizza

Green Salad

Saturday, 3/23

Leftovers

Browse all my family favorite recipes HERE

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My Favorite Things at Trader Joes: Snacks and Chips

2013-03-12T20:19:00.000-07:00

Once a week when I was younger, my dad and I would sit in the living room, munch on "Little Fishies" (aka Goldfish) and have a Wonder Years party. I think my fondness for snacks stems in part from this experience; quality time with my dad. Wednesday nights were almost sacred, and he never forgot to pick up Little Fishies on his way home from work so we could watch our favorite show with our favorite snack. (Except once he got plain instead of cheddar, and ew.)

Growing up, when I would ask for a snack, my mother would direct me to the refrigerator for fruit. Really? Fruit was not an acceptable snack in my opinion. It lacked the saltiness and crunch and overall satisfaction that I used to equate with snack foods. Now, I've come a long way in the healthy department, but I still have a weakness for the crispy, crunchy snack foods of long ago, so I apologize if this list is a little light in the "healthy snacks" department.

Favorite Snacks at Trader Joes:

Nuts and Dried Fruit:

I love making homemade trail mix, and Trader Joe's has a great selection of both.

Organic Popcorn:
Homemade popcorn is so much healthier than microwavable bags, and this organic popcorn is even better for you.

Kettle Corn:
Perfect sweet salty mix. I may have been known to eat a whole bag in one day. (Shhhh!)

Potato Chips:

These potato chips taste like a major brand, but aren't nearly as greasy. Perfect for lunches or a side for BBQ!

Organic Corn Chips:

I love Fritos on my chili. These are organic and cheap! Score!

Pita Chips and Hummus:

The pita chips are delicious and crispy and the roasted red pepper hummus (my favorite) is well spiced.

What do you consider to be a snack food? What are your favorite snack foods at Trader Joe's?

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Book Review: Damascus Countdown

2013-03-06T20:31:00.000-08:00

Waaaay back in ancient history (the year 2000 to be exact), I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to Israel. It is an amazing country wrapped in more history than we in the US could ever fathom. I strolled along the same dusty paths walked by Jesus. I gazed at ruins in the city of Jericho, stones that Joshua's men could very well have touched.

I hope to return to the Holy Land someday, but in the meantime I've enjoyed reading books that involve Israel and imagine myself there. So, I was very excited to have the chance to read Joel C. Rosenberg's latest thriller Damascus Countdown, the third book in the Twelfth Imam series.

You know those books you start and can't seem to stop reading, even when it's late and you really should be sleeping because the baby will be up in 4 hours, and you keep promising yourself "just one more chapter", and fall asleep drooling into the book because you never put it down? That's how this book was for me. It was like the Left Behind series meets Tom Clancy.

The main character, David Shirazi, is a CIA plant in Iran and his team's mission is to find two nuclear warheads missing from the Iranian arsenal after Israel strikes Iran in a preemptive attack. Intelligence shows that the Iranians are going to launch both warheads at Israel, and it is up to David and his team to stop them. David is a likeable character who has recently become a Christian, and there are many references to Biblical prophecy that have already come true, as well as what prophecies have yet to be fulfilled before the second coming of Christ. The tale follows David and his team, as well as the entourage of the Twelfth Imam, the Islamic messiah who is hellbent on destroying the Jewish nation. Several other characters, such as David's childhood-friend/girl-next-door/potential-love-interest Marseille Harper and blind Islamic teacher turned Christian Dr. Birjandi play sizable roles.

Damascus Countdown has many action scenes, a lot of Biblical reference, scenes of political tension, some emotional scenes and it was eloquently written as such that I could imagine the faces and personalities of each character in each scene. It was riveting and I was actually kind of sad when I finished which, in my opinion, is the sign of a good book.

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Damascus Countdown from Tyndale publishers. All opinions and comments regarding the book are my own, and have not been influenced in any way.

Saving Money: Online Coupon Codes

2013-03-04T12:30:00.000-08:00

While I haven't had the opportunity to do as much couponing since my second child was born last year, I have been able to do more online and comparison shopping. Barring groceries, I often find what I'm looking for cheaper online. Before I purchase anything, I check online for the lowest price and scour the web for coupon codes. Here are some of my favorite sites for gathering coupon codes:

Save1.com

Save1.com is like other coupon code sites, but with a humanitarian twist. If you use one of their offered coupon codes when you check out at a retailer (they offer coupons for several thousand online retailers), this family-owned company receives a small commission. Part of that commission is then used to fund several BBB-accredited, non-profit charities that provide meals for needy children. Since their inception in 2012, they have provided over 93,000 meals for malnourished children around the world!

RetailMeNot.com

Retailmenot.com is the largest of the coupon code sites. Coupons are updated constantly and allow user contributions. It also allows people to vote on whether or not a particular coupon worked for them, allowing you to find the most reliable coupons quickly.

Ebates.com

Ebates really comes in handy during Christmas season when I do a lot of online shopping. By using their retailer links and provided coupon codes, they offer you a percentage of their commission as cash back. I have been using Ebates for about 5 years, and have enjoyed getting a little extra money in my mailbox every few months.

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My Favorite Things at Trader Joes: Refrigerated

2013-03-03T20:33:00.000-08:00

Trader Joe's is one of my favorite stores to shop at. I do the bulk of my shopping here. For starters, they claim to not use foods that are GMO (genetically modified), plus they offer many high quality or novelty items at very reasonable prices.

I am often asked about my favorite items when shopping at Trader Joe's, so I thought it would be fun to compile my favorite (and possibly not so favorite) things at Trader Joe's. What are your favorite things to purchase here?

First up are my top 5 Refrigerated Items:

Trader Joe's Uncured Apple Smoked Bacon
Who doesn't like bacon? My late mother-in-law was allergic to it, but other than allergies, there are no excuses. TJs bacon is uncured (read: nitrate free), and cooks up crisp and flavorful. While it's not super thick, it's also not a paper thin pathetic excuse for bacon that some stores sell.
The only downside is that there are about 8 slices in a pack, which is enough for one meal. Stinker, my 4 year old, once commented about a meal I had prepared that "I can't eat this. It doesn't have bacon."
Better buy two packs :)

Trader Joe's Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls

I buy these about once a month as a treat for breakfast, and we look forward to them all month! They're sweet but not overly so, with a perfect balance of cinnamon and sugar. Plus, the frosting is fabulous. I cook these a little longer than noted, just because I don't like undercooked, soggy dough, and the result is a firm exterior and soft, fluffy interior, dripping with just enough frosting to satisfy an early morning sweet tooth.

Trader Joe's Peeled Garlic

Okay, I don't normally buy produce at TJs, but these peeled garlic packets are ingenious. Each packet contains several cloves of peeled garlic, vacuum sealed for freshness. Brilliant!

Trader Joe's Mirepoix

Again, not normally a produce shopper at TJs, (it's shipped in, and not always as fresh as can be), but this combination of pre-cut carrots, onions, and celery make my life so much easier when I need to throw together a quick soup or stew. Cutting veggies takes me forever, so this pack of pre-cut veggies literally shaves 25 minutes off my prep time. If you can chop veggies like a whiz, skip this, but if you like convenience or need a quick prep meal, this is wonderful.

Trader Joe's Cilantro Salad Dressing

I struggle finding salad dressings I love, but this dressing is so versatile, I always have it on hand. Delicious on a salad sprinkled with tortilla strips, I also use it as a sauce for fish tacos, and it is the ultimate dipping sauce for these amazing Southwestern Egg Rolls.

Runners Up:

Pizza Dough-The plain is great. I can't say the same for the whole wheat or herb. I'd still rather make my own dough, but in a pinch this is good.
Cheese-Trader Joe's cheese is priced pretty well compared to the grocery store. They also have a wonderful selection.
Biscuits and Croissants-These refrigerated gems taste just like, scratch that, better than Pillsbury without all the preservatives.
Pre-Cut Veggies-These can be hit-or-miss. Pick them up if convenience is necessary.
Deli Meat-I don't really buy meat at TJs, haven't had the best experiences, but the lunch meat is nitrate free and preservative free and actually pretty good quality. I like to buy pepperoni here for our homemade pizza.

Join us next time to see which Snack Foods made the list of my favorite things at Trader Joe's!

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10 Ideas for Delicious Smoothies

2013-02-24T16:25:00.000-08:00

So half the country probably thinks I'm crazy for posting something about smoothies in February, but in my defense, it's 71 degrees outside right now, with next week hitting the mid-80s. Welcome to San Diego, friends! (The mid-80s thing is a little excessive, I must admit, but I don't control the weather apparently.)

I love making smoothies. Usually, at least once a week, I'll take all the leftover fruit from the week, or whatever frozen fruit I have handy, and throw it in the blender. My 4 year old will eat, rather drink, at least two servings. She doesn't even realize it's healthy!

I always use coconut milk, just because cow's milk makes my tummy wonky, but feel free to use any kind of milk you enjoy most! You can even omit the milk and use yogurt or ice cream for a slightly thicker smoothie. If your smoothie is too thin, add a few ice cubes and blend again.

Here are some of my favorite combinations. Feel free to mix and match! Do you have a favorite smoothie combination? Share it in the comments!

1. The Hawaiian
Coconut milk, pineapple juice, pineapple, strawberries, banana, shredded coconut.

2. Banana Berry
Milk, berry juice (mixed berry or any berry), strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, (or a frozen berry mix), banana, honey.

3. Blue Green Dream
Blueberry juice, blueberry yogurt, blueberries, spinach, honey.

4. Citrus Boost
Orange sherbet, orange juice, tangerine juice, honey.

5. Peaches N Cream
Milk, peach yogurt, orange juice, peaches, banana, honey.

6. Leftover Fridge
Milk, apple juice, cantaloupe, grapes, strawberries, banana, blueberries.

7. Berry Delicious
Milk, strawberry yogurt, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, cinnamon (just a dash)

8. Apple of my Eye
Milk, apple juice, chopped apples, blueberries, bananas.

9. Caribbean Splash
Coconut milk, pineapple juice, orange sherbet, mango, banana, pineapple.

10. Protein Package
Almond milk, vanilla Greek yogurt, quick oats, strawberries, bananas.

Browse all my family's favorite recipes HERE

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