Free At Last!

Little Prince is finally able to take off his brace!!!  He has spilled so much on it and he hasn't liked it, but he has been brave and sweet about it.

With his brace:

After it was taken off:

Wearing a shirt after it was taken off, enjoying the freedom of movement!:

Healthier Version of Macaroni and Cheese

I know Mac and Cheese is such a favorite that it is hard to find ways to make it better for us.  Here is what I came up with:

12 ounces uncooked elbow Whole Grain macaroni or other short tube pasta
2 1/2 tbsp whole wheat flour (you can use all-purpose flour if you prefer)
2 cups nonfat milk (canned condensed fat free milk works here too)
1 1/4 cups reduced-fat extra-sharp cheddar, grated
1 tsp Dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste
1 head of chopped broccoli (or 10oz package of chopped broccoli)
1/2 lb of grilled seasoned Chicken Breast, cubed
7 slices of turkey bacon, chopped (optional)

Cook pasta according to the instructions on the package. While pasta is cooking, place flour in a medium saucepan and gradually whisk in milk. Heat the milk and flour on medium and bring to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Reduce heat and allow to simmer until the milk begins to thicken. Stir in cheese and mustard, and stir until cheese melts. Toss drained pasta and sauce in a large bowl. Add freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.

Chicken Stew (low fat, clean eating)

Ingredients:
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups cubed, cooked boneless chicken breast meat
1 cup diced celery
2 cups diced tomatoes tomatoes, with liquid (you can use whole peeled tomatoes)
2 cups diced carrots
5 cups sodium reduced chicken broth
1 Tablespoon Paprika
1 cup sweet corn
2 cups cauliflower
1 cup diced zucchini
2 cloves minced garlic
Fat Free Greek Yogurt
salt and pepper to taste

In a large soup pot combine the onion, paprika, chicken, celery, tomatoes with liquid, carrots, broth, corn, broccoli, garlic and zucchini. Stir together and simmer over medium low heat for 1/2 hour, or until vegetables are cooked and tender.  Stir in some Fat free Greek Yogurt before serving to thicken it up a little bit.  (You may also thicken it up by wisking in a slurry of flour and water, or cornstarch and water and boiling until it thickens if you prefer)

Important

I was watching an episode of Rachael Ray today and it had a segment on the  Napkin Notes Dad.  And I was struck again by how important it is to remember to make memories with your kids.  I need to fill their little minds with all the memories that I can make so that when they are grown, they have those precious moments to look back on.

I don't even mean just big things like great vacations or extravagant parties.

I mean little moments like the memories that are built when we go to community bbq's or other events.  Paying attention to the little girl who spends most of her time busily chatting and playing at my kneecap.  Or snuggling with daddy and drawing pictures, and surprise chocolates when he comes home from the store.  Or taking the time when I am cooking to let little girls stand on a chair and "help".  It is messy, it is slower, and it isn't organized.  But the giggles and enthusiasm are special.

I come from a family of heart disease and diabetes.  I already have high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and high blood pressure.  I am working to be healthy but you never know what the future may bring.  But even if I live to be a 101 years old, I want my kids to have lots of wonderful, warm, memories to share with their children.  I know that they will not look back and remember warmly how the laundry was done well, or how clean the kitchen was, but they will remember helping me throw clothes into the dryer, dancing in the living room, reading "I Love you, Stinky Face" for the 75th time this week, and helping me pick up the toys in their room.  And then I get to catch the little comments made while playing, discovering the things they have learned, their dreams, and the things closest to their hearts.

Taking time to treasure the every day is something that I need to remember.  I guess to me, the show reminded me that life isn't made out of big, lavish moments that you stress about and spend all your time and money trying to make happen. Memories are made up of every day moments sewn together with giggles, tears and love. 

Wordless Wednesday: Dreaming of Summer

Click the pic above to get to other Wordless Wednesday Participants or go check out the following links:

Wordless Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday Bloggers, 5 minutes for mom, Ms. Mystery Case, Tales of a Pee Dee Mama, Only Passionate Curiosity, and Stacys Random Thoughts!

Muesli Style Oatmeal (clean eating, low fat, high fiber)

• 1 cup instant oatmeal
• 1 cup fat free yogurt.
• 2 tbsp. raisins
• 1 Tbsp unsalted sunflower seeds
• 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
• ½ apple, peeled, diced
• 2 tsps. honey or maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp Ground Flaxseeds
• 1 Tbsp Chia seeds
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 tsp. salt

1. Mix the all ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Let sit about 5 or 10 minutes.  Then enjoy!
3. If the mix is too thick, add milk.

Oatmeal Pancakes (low fat, high fibre, clean)

• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or substitute all-purpose flour for half the amount)
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 
• 1 tsp vanilla (optional)
• 1/2 cup fat-free milk
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup honey (or sugar, or sweetener of choice)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 tbsp canola oil

1. Place ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk until well blended. (You can add a little bit of flax seed meal to up the fiber if you like)
2. Heat a griddle to 375 degrees (medium). 
3. When griddle is hot, pour about 1/4 cup of pancake batter per pancake. 
4. Cook until bubbles appear and edges are puffed. Flip the pancakes and cook until golden.

Makes about 8 pancakes.
Per two-pancake serving:
Calories 248,
Total Fat 5.2g (sat 0.6g),
Cholesterol 1mg,

Spring Flower Craft Ideas for homeschool

My kids are sick of winter.  We have so much snow outside that we have run out of places to shovel it and we have storm warning for tonight.  So, to make them happy and look forward to Spring I thought I would find some fun Spring craft ideas for us to do in homeschool.

Here are some flower craft ideas to brighten up our classroom walls:

Pipe Cleaner Flower

Flower Basket

Flower Collage

Construction paper Flower

Paper roses in a vase

Cupcake holder daffodils

Pop-up flowers

Spring Flower Fence

Muffin Tin Liner Flowers and crafts

Popsicle Stick Flower Craft

Hand print Lilies

Easy Flower Craft

Flower Prints from Soda Bottles

Egg Carton Crafts