Crock Pot Saturday!

Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken BBQ Recipe ( click for recipe!)

This is the second time making this deliciousness! It's a hit. Lots of leftovers for the next day and the next! Put on some whole wheat buns and you are all set.

We had a side of Roasted Garlic Lemon Broccoli too. Amara's choice! I was not too sure about this, but I really like it. She loves the burst of lemon flavor she gets in every other bite. ( click for recipe). I have made this about 3 times now, once without the lemon, but I think it's best with the lemon. I love lemon.

Saturday's are usually reserved for some junk food for lunch and sometimes even dinner. Today we did have take out pizza for lunch, but we were being mindful of getting in a good healthy dinner.

Just stuff....

We are in the full swing of things with school now. I think we are establishing a routine here any minute. I am getting used to Amara being gone all day now. I am getting used to entertaining Miles all by myself now! Amara was really good at that.

I am trying to teach more classes too. Not that I want to, but it's easy money so why not!?!?

Miles has been without a nap for 5 days in a row now! I am not too happy about that, mainly because he is crabby. If he could go without a nap and still be normal, I would not mind as much. I am wondering and kind of hoping he will crash and burn this weekend and then start napping again. If not, then I can probably get more hours to work at the YMCA. I try to be done working in time for Miles to take a good nap, but this week--no so much! I tried everyday to lay him down and he was up causing trouble. He is lucky he is so dang cute.......

Amara is on mile 13 of her kids marathon! We did not run 1 time this week either. She (we) still have 12 more to get in by the 16th in order to make it. I think we will cut it way to close, but it will get done. She's a tough kid and she wants to earn a medal!

She has been asking to buy hot lunch at school. Yuck. I took a look at the menu and was appalled at most of the choices. I don't even think she would like most of the items. I think I will let her buy hot lunch once a month starting this month. We get the menu for the whole month so we will go over it this weekend and choose a day. It's making me think about Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution that was on TV last summer. Her school serves breakfast pizza too. It's just regular pizza, served in the morning. What a concept. She understands it's only a treat to get lunch once a month. I hope so. Maybe I will make her pay for it...........

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution- At least my 5 year old learned something!

Who has watched Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution ? Amara and I watched 2 DVR'd episodes yesterday ( yea, yea--there are some shows I allow her to watch even though it might be too much TV time. Don't judge me! ). So anyway..in a nutshell Jamie Oliver is a famous chef that likes to cook naturally. Natural ingredients, herbs, spices and the like. He is not big on "diets" per say- just natural foods that are not processed. He's a good guy. Amara really enjoyed watching kids her age learning about foods. She was beyond shocked when the 6 year olds ( she's 5) did not know their fruits and veggies by sight. One kid called a tomato a potato....at first I thought it was an honest mistake. Nope. He was totally guessing and was close, but really had no clue.
If you have not watched the show I urge you to tune in on TV tonight or catch it online.
So this leads me to our less than stellar week of eating. I won't get into the GORY details, because it is that bad, I am ashamed. For real. Ugh and gross.
Let's just say that when the kids and I went to pick up pizza for dinner last night Amara says
"Mom, when are we going to knock if off with the fast food" Oh boy. It was one of those moments when I was mildly irritated (probably slightly embarrassed that a 5 year old totally called me out), but I also knew she was right. I told her she was right and we would chill out soon. I could not even tell her we would be back to normal on Sunday, because we might not be. This is not the first time she has reminded us of our healthy lifestyle going bonkers. I am proud of her. It does not happen often that we have crap food more than once a week, but it does happen from time to time. We are human right?!?! I like to talk about leading a healthy lifestyle and for the majority of my days I do. I have my moments as many of us do. I am so glad that I (Matt too) are teaching the kids our healthy habits, but also not being perfect( rigid) all. the. time. So I guess this was a test for Amara ( yea right) Happy to say that she passed with flying colors !

10 Day Herbal Cleanse: Day 1

I started my 10 day herbal cleanse today. So far so good. I was a bit scared to do it, but I am sure I will be just fine!
The purpose of a cleanse is to prepare your body for continued healthy eating and lifestyle. People might choose to do a cleanse before they start a new eating plan or diet.
This herbal claims to thoroughly cleanse your kidneys, liver, intestinal system and colon. The cleanse provides anti-inflammatory effects that reduces aches and pains.
I had to drink the fiber drink this morning which was interesting. It was kind of like drinking not so strong creamy orange juice with the pulp with a bit of roughage. I am not sure if you can imagine that, but it was not terribly gross. It was not something I would crave, but whatever. I can do it.
I still eat food which is a good thing. I have heard of cleanses that you barely eat. I do not feel hungry either. I have had lots of raw veggies and I will have some more fruit for a snack later tonight. Upped my water intake as well. The things I am doing now will just lead me to continue with good habits; that's the plan anyway!
So far so good......