PB and J for boys!!

I was so excited when I found this sandwich cutter.  I mean, I've seen lots of hearts, flowers, etc.., which is okay for boys, but I knew this one I had to have for my boys!!



I'm editing to add links--
Find them here or here!!

Hey, I could use a little help here!! (WW)

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Menu Plan Monday...

This past week was SUPER crazy. None of our family lives close, so we have to mail all gifts. I've mailed 7 packages (with one to go) and almost 60 Christmas cards last week. Hopefully this week will be a bit less rushed. We went into D.C. last Monday to see the national tree, too. I only made one meal that I planned last week. Now, the good news is that we didn't eat out, we just made fast things at home. The other nice thing is no shopping this week!! So, yes...this is essentially the same menu from last week. We did try the kielbasa and cabbage skillet and really liked it. I served it with fine egg noodles, buttered. Logan loved the noodles and kielbasa and I put some of the cooked carrots and bell peppers in with it...he ate it right up.

Also, I wanted to share with you a new favorite thing of mine. I honestly can eat this twice a day and don't get tired of it!! I got this from an online friend, Tina. She got it from her friend, Julie Disser, who wrote a raw foods cookbook. I'm telling you....I love this salad!! Now, I don't mix up the whole thing since it is just me eating it. I keep all the veggies chopped so when I want this salad, it only take a couple of minutes to mix it up.

Fresh Kale Salad

1 bunch fresh kale ( may add red chard, swiss chard and collard greens)
1/2 tsp celtic sea salt or real salt (I use kosher)
1/2 cup red bell pepper diced
1/2 cup yellow bell pepper diced
1-2 ribs celery diced
1/4 cup sliced green onion
1 avocado diced
1/2 cup sprouted or canned garbanzo beans (chick peas)
1 TBSP pumpkin seeds (I use sunflower ones because I can't find pumpkin)
juice of 1/2 lemon
2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil

To remove stems from kale, take each leaf in hand, fold it in half lengthwise with the stem in the center, nd with the other hand, gently pull on the stem. You can also use a knife to separate the leaves from the stems. Once the stems have been removed, stack the leaes on top of one another and chop nto very thin strips. Add the kale (and other greens) to a large mixing bowl. Add the salt and then work the salt into the kale with your hands. The kale will wilt and take on a soft and pleasant texture without loss of nutrients involved in cooking. Add the other ingredients and toss well. Serve immediately.

Here is a before shot of the kale.  This is about 4-5 cups of loosely packed kale.

And here is what it looks like after working the salt into it.  

*=new recipe

• Breakfasts: I'm making a crustless quiche* that will last a couple of days, oatmeal, cold cereal, toast with jam

• Lunches: chicken salad on whole wheat tortilla, ham and cheese on whole wheat tortilla, pb and j, chicken strips, pasta, salad

• Monday--meatloaf, creamed spinach* (for me), mashed potatoes, corn

• Tuesday--spaghetti squash lasagna style, bread, salad

• Wednesday--pumpkin chicken enchiladas*, rice, beans, salad

• Thursday--chicken broccoli cheese casserole*, salad--I was excited to find the casserole recipe, because the creamed soups actually have a good amount of carbs in them

• Friday--chili rellenos casserole, rice and beans (for the boys), salad

For more menu plan Monday fun, head on over to Laura's at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

National Tree...WW

Taken on Monday--Logan and Lucas had sooo much fun!!






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Have you seen this??

Logan LOVES to watch this...he calls it the dancing house! He dances right along with it!!


Here is another one I found...


And another...


And this one set to Christmas Shoes.



Wow--there are a ton on You Tube! Who knew so many people have so much free time?? And man....can you imagine trying to sleep with all those lights on!! Some of the ones I saw included spot lights in their light display!!

Menu Plan Monday...

This past week we tried the pecan chicken I found on Carrie's blog. Oh my---it is super yummy!! My husband was disappointed I didn't plan it into this week's meals. I had already planned the menu for this week before we tried it (as we ended up having it for lunch on Saturday). However, I promised him we would have it again next week....he asked that we have it all 5 days!!! Oh yeah--it is that good!! We were bad and even scraped the extra crunchies from the pan onto our rice!! Amazing!!


*=new recipe

• Breakfasts: I'm making a crustless quiche* that will last a couple of days, oatmeal, cold cereal, toast with jam

• Lunches: chicken salad on whole wheat tortilla, ham and cheese on whole wheat tortilla, pb and j, chicken strips, pasta, salad

• Monday--pumpkin chicken enchiladas*, rice, beans, salad

• Tuesday--kielbasa and cabbage skillet*, buttered noodles

• Wednesday--chicken broccoli cheese casserole*, salad--I was excited to find the casserole recipe, because the creamed soups actually have a good amount of carbs in them
  

• Thursday--meatloaf, creamed spinach* (for me), mashed potatoes, corn

• Friday--spaghetti squash lasagna style, bread, salad

For more menu plan Monday fun, head on over to Laura's at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Deck Your Blog Contest...

Wow...it seems I stumbled upon this contest without a minute to spare.

I was in the process of decking my blog for the holidays, but what a nice little incentive to win something. Hurry....go check it out and deck your blog, too!

Poor Man's Eclairs

I got this recipe from my sister, who I believe got it from her MIL.

Poor Man's Eclairs

Butter a 9x13 pan. Layer bottom of pan with graham crackers. Combine 2 pkg. (4 serving size each) instant French Vanilla pudding with 3 cups cold milk. Add an 8 oz. carton of Cool Whip. Spread half over graham crackers. Top with another layer of graham crackers and the rest of the pudding. End with graham crackers.
Melt 2 ounces bitter chocolate with 2 Tbsp white Karo.*
Add:
2 tsp. vanilla
3 Tbsp soft butter
3 Tbsp milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Mix well. Spread over top layer of graham crackers. Refrigerate 24 hours.

*I have also seen a recipe where you don't have to make the chocolate topping. You simply purchase one tub of chocolate icing, microwave it until it melts (stirring often) and then pour it over the top layer of graham crackers.

Both SUPER yummy!!

Guilty Pleasures...

This week's Flaunt it Friday challenge is to share your guilty pleasure.

I am sure my first one is one that most people can relate to. CHOCOLATE....and lots of it!! Chocolate pies, chocolate ice cream, chocolate cookies, brownies, candy bars, etc.... I don't discriminate...I love them all equally!! Problem is, I am diabetic. I don't care what you say, the sugar free, low sugar stuff just ISN'T the same!! So, for me, it truly is a guilty pleasure. I have found that if I allow myself just one square of chocolate, the craving goes away and my blood sugars don't have to pay the price. Here is one of my favorite chocolates. They have a Lindt store in my local mall and I have to stop in for a sample when ever I am there.


Next, I am a reality tv junkie!! Survivor, Amazing Race, Extreme Makeover, Top Model, The Bachelor, Beauty and the Geek, Top Chef, Project Runway, and the list goes on. However, the one that my husband questions the most is My Super Sweet Sixteen on MTV. I don't really know why I like it, but I do. Mostly because I think it is insane how much parents spend on their kids for a party!! I watch it just to see how crazy people are. When I turned 16, I had a few girls over and we spent the night watching movies and eating pizza!! I am spoiled in that we have a DVR that allows me to record two shows at once just in case my reality shows overlap each other.....and they often do!

WW...Having fun with daddy...

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