Pictures of food!

My most favorite dinner ever, this is why I make it at random year round. 

Pumpkin pie.. hits the spot doesn't it?

Hello again massive amounts gluten! 

Ham Scrambler Cups + Cheese 

I love me some sweet potato fries with sour cream. 

Look at that chicken just taking a nap on top of a cushy bed of lettuce and spinach covered in a blanked of dressing and feta cheese(ok so maybe I took it a little far lol). 

I even amaze myself sometimes. 

Roma & Jarvis; Humor with Photo Fun!

Sorry mom, I blinked. - Roma 

Oops did I just blink?!- Jarvis

  CHEESE!

You can hardly blame me!

This beautiful creation was my dinner tonight. 

Diced tomatoes(from a can with green pepper celery onion and spices), marinated artichokes(from a jar, see my pattern here?), pasta(not gluten free), cheapo-parmesan cheese.... YUM I tell you YUM!

Sometimes I can't help but feel proud when I cheat on my GF diet for something as simple yet delicious as this.

Such a wonderful way to punish myself later. :)

P.S. !!!

I will be starting a new blog in the not so distant future. It will be completely on topic (mostly).

Stay tuned, I'm not ready quite yet!

Metabolism

Wanna boost it? 


Eat several small meals every day.

Drink coffee! (YAY!) It burns calories easier!

Drink more water.

Move more. Fidgeting burns calories.

Sleep more. If you don't get enough sleep it can slow your metabolism.

5-7 servings of fruits a vegetables.

Exercise!!!

Eat foods rich in fiber!

Money Saving Tips

Ways to cut back and save money

Buy generic products when possible.

            Shop and low price stores
            Thrift Stores
            Yard Sales

Coupons & Discount Cards!

            Sunday Paper & Online Printables
            Sign up for savings at local stores and pharmacies
            Watch for double coupon days!

Make things at home!

            Gifts
            Decor
            Food - Lunches
            Fix what you already have!

Go to the library

            It is cheaper and sometimes even free to check out a book
            Some libraries have educational movies for kids!

Be aware of Transportation Costs

            Make all stops while you are out
            Fuel savings on purchases made through certain stores saves money too!

Be Content!

            It is easier to save when you are happy with what you already have!
            As yourself if you REALLY need that item before you buy it.            
            Where will it be in one year?

Utilities

            Unplug what you're not using.
            Talk to utility companies about ways they can help you save.
            Shop around for the best rates.
            Try a set payment on utilities like propane or natural gas.
                        -Your bill will be the same all year and more manageable!
            Pay bills on time to avoid late fees.

Make a Budget

            Give yourself a spending allowance to carry in cash.
                        -You see it and spend it slower than if you are just swiping plastic.
            Know how much is coming in and how much is going out.
                        -The "ebb and flow" of your banking account.

Groceries
            Make a shopping list and buy no extras

            Buy meat in bulk
            Have one vegetarian meal a week (if meat is your thing)

            

I found these tips in my "me folder" of random things when I was cleaning up. I just wanted to share and maybe help someone else, feel free to add your own tips in the comments area! 

Religious Research

          I have been doing research on different religions, not for myself but for my oldest child(and the younger two to some extent).
          My son speaks about God and Jesus in Christian terms only through information that was given to him by relatives and attending church a few times. My oldest daughter is getting the idea of Christianity as well now.

          It was at the point when my son informed me, "If you don't believe in God, you'll go to hell" that I came to the realization that I have not been doing my part in religious teaching.
          You see I do not believe that there is a Hell. I do not believe that you should put faith and fear into things like that. It is not healthy and quite honestly, it is terrifying and especially to a child. I remember being young and being told in Sunday school that you had to believe in God and Jesus and if you didn't then you would burn in Hell for all eternity. I never believed that such a horrible place could exist for decent people who don't know what they believe in. The only response I could give to my son was, "Yes, that is what Christians believe."

          I never talk about what I believe, it is personal and should not be aired out in my opinion for all to see and judge. So I will not tell you today what it is that I believe in but I will tell you what I am going to teach to my children.

          I have summarized beliefs on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jehovah's Witnesses, Judaism, Neo-Paganism/Wicca, Primal Indigenous, and Sikhism.  Some were easy and some were more difficult. Some were even hard for me to fully understand myself but it is important that I do. Which makes me think of Gandhi, who said "Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it."

          I wish that someone would have taken the time to teach me about different religions instead of just trying to make me believe what they believed because they were biased. Ultimately, what my children grow up to believe in is completely up to them and I will not think them wrong for what they believe in even if it is not what I believe. I just want to make sure that they are educated early and do not feel the need to ever judge someone else for believing in that which they do not understand.

          Part of being a parent is giving your children the tools necessary to live up the their full potential as human beings. It is no one's responsibility but your own to see to it that your children are given those tools. Who they are is completely their own choice but you will know that you did everything you were supposed to do while they were in your care and under your wing. 

"Loners" Need People Too

I hate that I am such a horrible friend.
I lack the capacity to make friends and keep them. I get it, I don't blame anyone. I wouldn't be friends with me either. But when I need a friend, I know that I don't really have them and I don't really deserve them anyway.

I don't know how to react to complaining/issues/problems and usually I just try to fix or help others fix the problem they are having before even considering they might just want to complain about it (and have me listen). I have been an awful friend to the people in my life. And I barely talk to family. I don't know how to form all of those relationships with people so I avoid them because I don't want to screw up. But in the end that is exactly what I am doing, screwing up.
Fear prevents me from trying and my inability to be understanding and empathetic without letting others problems consume me messes up any chance of friendships and good positive relationships.

I don't feel like I have the normal relationships that others have with their friends, neighbors, grandmothers, fathers, etc. I feel absolutely secluded. And it is when I am feeling alone and vulnerable that I know I am the only one at fault. 

I take it personally when Bryon thinks I can just call someone up and have a friend to go do whatever with. I find it upsetting that I can't talk to him about how this feels but when it comes right down to it... I don't really want to.
Nothing like running to the bathroom to cry over something that doesn't fucking exist anyway, relationships are an illusion. I hid behind a door to hide from the one person who has always been a friend, who has always been there and who has helped me through some of the hardest things in my life. I don't want him to know how very weak I feel over this.  

That Same Friday Night... Gluten Things

I blogged this LAST WEEK, and forgot about it not posting and it was all saved in a document waiting for me, I post it now.

I have been trying to adjust to this gluten intolerance (or whatever it is) crap but I am really finding it to be far too easy to not follow the diet the way that I need to be. I am also feeling like my lactose intolerance (which is off and on for some odd reason?) is just around the corner again. This makes me sooo nervous. Taking away all forms of lactose containing milk is a nightmare add gluten to that and I'm pretty sure that chickens will be running for the hills clucking away terrified. Because, when it comes right down to it, I'll be all ravenous for chickens and rice. Just the thought of chicken and rice makes me smile. You can do so many things with the two that it almost makes you forget that you're "restricted" from other things.
          THEN just when you are content and going about your own way minding your own business with a belly full of chicken and rice, you see a sandwich... and someone is just stuffing it all in their face hole like NOM NOM. And you start drewling and convince yourself that you can have a sandwich too! Then you tell yourself that "it's not that bad" and "its only one". Before you know it you're spiraling out of control and a week has passed and you're still telling yourself. It's OK!!! IT'S ONLY ONE, DAMNIT!

          But no, really. One gluten containing food has a high likelihood of leading to mouth sores for me, headaches, body/joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes in my neck/jaw (that last one is after about 5-7 days of eating small amounts of gluten). Then I'm basically feeling like I am dying from a flu bug.

          Needless to say. I had a bad week! I need to try harder. Part of me is still in denial. I actually tried to convince myself that it was "in my head". I ended up very miserable and very depressed over it.

          I cannot even attend a simple cookout without eating before I leave the house. I know, that chances are, I will not be able to eat more than a few potato chips and if I am really lucky they might have fruit salad. Usually I try to take a gluten free dish if the function allows for things to be brought.

Side Note: I have had a horrible time with posting and writing blogs today. I can only assume there must be a bunch of boring Friday night bloggers out there just like me. I will let it go this time.. but next time, you better watch your back! 

Mum you're neurotic again!

So I am rummaging through the toys strewn through Gavin's closet in an attempt to assist with bedroom cleaning....

Gavin - that's not necessary
Me -yes it is, it's part of the system!
Gavin - there was no system *giggle & grin*

Pictured during the realization that his mother is a weirdo with a "system" 

He seriously had me laughing so hard ... I love this kid. Poor thing probably knows me better than most people do, *mom's getting neurotic again!* 

One Friday Night

Its a Friday evening and I am either severely domesticated or strikingly bored. I found myself rug scrubbing the carpeting and then the furniture, washing laundry, and dancing + karaoke with the kids.
Its amazing how fast the spots on the carpet reproduce! It's like there is this queen ant of carpet stains hiding somewhere popping out little baby ant stains left and right, damn her!
Anyways, the floors look amazing, ya know, just so the kids and pets can mark it all up again. A mother's work is never done! 

Clean carpet and the dog who had to have her paws wiped free of mud when she came into the house. She is not amused :)   

Tidbits Of Domestication

Its a Friday evening and I am either severely domesticated or strikingly bored. I found myself rug scrubbing the carpeting and then the furniture, washing laundry, and dancing + karaoke with the kids.
Its amazing how fast the spots on the carpet reproduce! It's like there is this queen ant of carpet stains hiding somewhere popping out little baby ant stains left and right, damn her!
Anyways, the floors look amazing, ya know, just so the kids and pets can mark it all up again. A mother's work is never done! 

Clean carpet and the dog who had to have her paws wiped free of mud when she came into the house. She is not amused :)   

Simplifying Spaces

I started my day like any other, coffee. It was directly after this I was abruptly reminded of the messes the kids make the excess of toys and how I need to make them listen and clean their crap up.
I wasn't too thrilled to be starting my day with a list of complaints and I moved on drank my coffee cooked breakfast and went about my morning as usual really. Feeling quite annoyed with everyone at the same time mind you.
I was upset that my children pretty much refuse to follow directions, orders, or requests of any kind. I was upset that I was practically being scolded for their lack of listening. But I refused to allow myself to become upset over it too much or too angry at any one person. I accept partial responsibility and I acknowledge what needs to change.
So when my dear boyfriend left for work I made a cup of coffee and decided to pack up the majority of my kids toys.
Most of my brilliant ideas are thought up over a sweet cup of coffee.
I let the kids keep their favorite toys and their newest toys. I moved all educational toys and artsy toys to the office and I cleaned out their closests. I did recruit my children to help me and they did so pretty well.
They are thrilled to have less toys. When my son told me that his room was awesome and thanked me I smiled and said "less is more". I don't know that he understood but he smiled back and went back into his room to play.
But even with bins and boxes around me I could feel the tension dissipating from their rooms.
I am hoping this makes it a little easier for everyone.
The extra bins are headed for the attic, just as soon as I finish my coffee!

Holy Freaking Weird

So I am sitting eating dinner and a memory comes to mind.
I could see and smell and taste a certain food. It is gooey and sweet, and semi-solid.
Then it dawns on me "this is an Egyptian dessert... I remember learning about it in school". Just through general study of culture, food, etc.
I am sitting there remembering and I can literally taste it in my mouth! However, I'm not sure if this is a real memory or not. Maybe the teacher brought in some for us to try?

Anyways... however this memory came to me... I remember eating Basbousa.(I did my research on what it actually is.)

I am however bothered by the entire concept of eating something, and remembering I ate it but not remembering where or even when it happened.
For all I know... this could be someone else's memory.


For more information about my Basbousa the following link provides some information and pictures.

http://www.albohsali.com/sweets/basbousa-nammoura/

Nourishing Your Child's Talents & Strengths

Lately I have been trying to zero in on my kids natural talents, interests, and things I can gently encourage them to try out.

My son is the oldest and our only boy. He is also my biggest critic when it comes to food. I know that if I taste the meal I just prepared and think "Ehh this could be better." or "The chicken is too dry." he will blurt it out too. He has a sense! Instead of just eating what his mommy makes he has to first tell me what he likes and what he doesn't like and he usually tells me why he feels that way. There are days when I put his meal on the table and tell him "Gavin, I know it sucks but that's what I made." Gavin is also a little book worm these days ( a past time his father and I both enjoy when the book is right ). He's also highly coordinated with backyard sports. We'll see where that goes I am sure!

My oldest daughter is forever singing. She absolutely loves to sing, she likes to dance too. She's pretty awesome. Just today she came home singing a song perfectly that she learned in school. Her big brother said it made him want to cry. I am overjoyed that I have one musical child, possibly two... I am looking into putting Cambria into music lessons or dance next school year. She just started kindergarten, so I don't want to put too much on her plate too fast. She is equally brilliant at both singing and dancing. I should also tell you that while she asks some of the strangest things I have ever heard a 5 year old ask, she is very smart and eager to learn.

My youngest child, Arayla is the artist, the forever talking coloring on walls and furniture artist! She loves drawing and painting and she sings. Sometimes at the same time. Some of the notes that come from her mouth amaze me. She's still young, I know this. But I think she'll have the singing gift as well. Plus... ever since she was little, like barely walking, she has been insanely flexible and if my gut (pun intended) is right, I think she's going to be the athletic child(I am not athletic by any means aside from the fact that my body type is naturally athletic when I allow it to be). Did I mention she is fearless?! Strangest thing I have ever seen in my life! The only thing she seems to be afraid of are ceiling fans.  

My children are absolutely amazing and especially so when you take the time to see their strengths and natural talents. Every parent should take the time to say "My child can...." instead of "My child can't ___ yet" or "I wish __ could do that". (Instead of seeing a picky eater, I now choose to see a child who may grow to love food as much as his insane mother.)
Just like you and me our kids are their own people and they will excel in various areas of their lives. You may have one child that seems to be able to do everything so well and another that will struggle and get discouraged easily. That's ok!
Take the time to know your children and recognize that maybe your kid really loves singing, but doesn't want to have to practice it. If Cambria tells me "Mum, I don't like singing lessons I just want to sing when I feel like it." I will look into any other possible reasoning for these feelings first but stop pushing her to get better. I love her just the way that she is and if she is happy, I will be happy for her. Always. And if Arayla trades in her paint brushes for drumsticks or boxing gloves that's cool too.

My plans now.... are to spend more time in the kitchen with Gavin. He's a critic not a chef and I want him to be both, someday. Everyone has to eat and everyone should be able to cook well. Even if he is only watching or listening. I know that it will sink in.
This is how I learned to make my dad's salmon patties "Are you listening Rach?" he asked as I was sitting at the counter annoyed because I wasn't on the phone or the computer. "Yeeesss". So when I grew up and hadn't had my dad's awesome salmon patties in years I called him up and sounded something like this, "Hey dad, what to do put in those salmon patties I want to make sure I remember it right." He sounded flabbergasted that I had possibly forgotten and I think he might have called me an "egg head". For the record I DID remember the recipe! Haha. I learned so much about food from my dad. Especially how to pick good steaks. He was wise to tell me everything he did when I was growing up, I would have been so lost when I went out into the world on my own.

I know that Gavin could gain so much from cooking with his being all picky about eating. When the girls are a little older they'll learn all the tricks too. 

I will encourage Gavin in the kitchen, play more music for Cambria and designate some painting clothes for Arayla. One of the amazing parts about being a parent is giving your children the tools they need to succeed in life.

Deactivation Complete

I have just deactivated my Facebook account. Woo! It always makes me so excited. ^__^ 

In the next couple of days I will be brain storming topics for blogging (and finding the old ones I already had listed) and figuring out a good way to add in pictures.

I use my cell phone for picture taking... I am wondering if there is an easier way to upload them here...
My blogs are so bland without pictures. Sorry about that!

And as usual, I will still do my "free-style blogging" because it makes me feel good! 

 Look random picture of pecan tarts!!!