It has been a while since I blogged.  Time to get back at it, even if it is only once in a while.  Kids are getting older and work life balance is better so I may find a little bit more time.

I am a member of bzzagent where I get to try out new products.  I just got a free Perdue Over Roasted chicken to make at home.  Easy to make delicious to taste.  Check it out

I Must Confess

This week’s spin cycle is on parent confessions. My confession is about food and my son. I have been called a food Nazi. Why? You may ask. Because, I am very strict on my son’s diet. He did not have sugar until his first birthday and he probably only had sugar a few times between his first and second birthday. (And, that would be at other kid’s birthday parties)


When I pack my son’s lunch, I pack fruit and veggies every day. (It is up to Eli to eat them.) And, I pack NO snacks with lunch. (Unless you count yogurt) I figure, he is given snacks at school. No need for him to eat an extra snack over healthier lunch food.


When my son starting eating solid food up until about 18 months, he ate his veggies in every color of the rainbow. (Except broccoli but he ate other green veggies) By 18 months, the number of veggies he would eat dwindled and now at 2.5 years old, he eats corn only.


I offer veggies everyday to him and if he eats them great, and if he doesn’t, I know I will be serving him corn later in the week.


The obesity rate in kids scares me so I do not offer Eli sugar or saturated fats. Now that he is older, if he asks for a cookie or snack, I give it to him in moderation. I cringe when my in-laws visit because all my MIL wants to give Eli is crap and saturated fat. Does she think he will love her more for giving him things that mommy does not offer? I don’t know but I always have to watch her around him when it comes to food. I don’t understand what a 1 year old needs more butter on his bread than a 32 year old? (Maybe I should ask her.)


So, what is my confession? When I need Eli to cooperate quickly (getting ready for school when we wake up late), I offer him crap food. Nothing major. Maybe a couple of fruit snacks (not the whole package). Just enough to keep him still while I get him dressed!


Am I a hypocrite? I hope not. But, that is my mommy confession.

Random Thoughts Tuesday

I have been following Random Thoughts Tuesday for a while but have yet to participate. I always have lots of random thoughts in my mind but never the time to write them down. I decided today, I would take five minutes out of my day and at least get a few thoughts down!

Does anyone else besides me wonder why Dora can’t afford to buy clothes that cover her belly? She is a mega super star. Can’t she afford clothes that fit?

Do people have any respect any more? We still had families (with toddler aged kids) trick or treating at 9:30pm. I had a huge sign on my door- “My baby is sleeping. Do not ring the door bell.” yet we had a few families (with adults) ringing the door bell for more candy. Shouldn’t there be a time at night where this stops so one can go to bed?

To my neighbor who gave my son while trick or treating information about her church, HOW DARE YOU! I have no interest in your church and NEVER will. Keep your religion at home and do NOT spread your beliefs to other people.

Speaking of Halloween: The lazy people that I see on Halloween really bother me. In my neighborhood, parents like to drive their kids from house to house. Instead of giving these kids candy, I would rather give them a fitness tip written on an index card. What are we teaching our kids? No wonder the obesity percentage is very high for children.

Speaking of lazy people: The parents of my neighborhood drive their kids to the bus stop. This is another pet peeve of mine. My neighborhood is not very big and there are three bus stops in my neighborhood but parents feel that their precious children’s feet are too good for walking. When Eli is old enough, I will be the mean mom that will REFUSE to drive him down the block to the bus stop. He will actually have to use his feet and walk!

Well, I wrote down more thoughts than I expected for my first Random Thoughts Tuesday. Visit Keely's place at The Un Mom for more random thoughts!

Halloween

Jen's Spin Cycle this week is about Halloween. I thought I would showcase how adorable Eli has been for each Halloween.

Year 1: My Little Bear


Year 2: My Soccer Player



Year 3: (this year) My Hockey Player

Wow- does he grow fast!

Night Games

For all of you who know me, I love FSU football. When we moved to GA and were living 6 hours away, I drove pregnant and by myself for 6 home games that year. I have had season tickets for years and go to as many games as I can!

When I was in college, I loved the night games. You would go to the game, the team would win, and then you would go directly to the bars to celebrate. This schedule works well when one is in college.

Now, that it is 10 years later, I am not so fond of the night games. Last night, FSU played UNC and the game started at 8pm. I am not one to miss a single second of the game but I was wondering how I would stay awake for this game. (I usually get ready for bed around 10pm!)

I managed to stay up for most of the game. I feel asleep for about 5 minutes and missed FSU scoring but I am paying for it today. I am tired.

So, the moral of the story is: Night games are great for those in college but horrible for adults who have full time jobs and a child to take care of.

Drink Up

I recently had a much deserved massage and my massage therapist asked me how much water I drink a day. If you asked me this two years ago when I was nursing and as healthy as I could be, I would have replied 4 cups a day at least! But, I can’t say I eat or drink as well as I used to. I don’t like the taste of coffee and if I have more than one soda a day, I get the jitters. But, I do like to drink juice. Lots of yummy sugar filled juice and working from home, I have the opportunity to drink as much as I want!

Anyways, I responded to my massage therapist, I don’t drink as much as I should- about 2 cups a day. She told me that I should be drinking half my weight in ounces of water a day! So 120lbs = 60 ounces of water a day. That is a lot of water.

So, now I am on a mission to drink 60 ounces of water a day. In the month since I was told this information, I have succeeded twice. I thought I would succeed today but I am down 30 ounces and only a few hours left in my day.

I have been drinking about 30 ounces of water a day and I tell you- I feel great. It is much better than drinking that much juice a day. I hope to keep up my consumption of water each day.

Spin Cycle - Homemade Hot Fudge

It has been ages since I added to Jen's spin cycle. But with the topic being recipes, I have no excuse. Here is a recipe for homemade hot fudge to top your favorite ice cream treat:

Ingredients:

3 squares of Bakers Chocolate (unsweetened)

3 tablespoons of butter

1 cup of sugar

2/3 cup evaporated milk (1 small can)

1 teaspoon of vanilla

Directions:

Melt chocolate and butter on medium heat in small sauce pan. When both are almost melted, slowly add milk and sugar alternating between each. Continue constantly stirring. Add vanilla. Stir until fudge thickens and sugar has dissolved. Fudge is even better the 2nd day reheated. Serve over ice cream and enjoy!