There was a time, about a decade and a half ago, when homes didn't have the Internet. At least, mine didn't. I had a flash-back to that time this past week. My darling children pulled the router and modem off the shelf where they are stored, and the router refused to work. We're expecting a bonus paycheck this month, so we'll buy our new router when my husband gets paid. (I'm currently accessing the web via a borrowed signal that Hubby found.)
For the past week, I have been able to check neither Facebook nor Pinterest. When planning my meals, I had to use my cookbooks, because I couldn't access the loads of recipes I've pinned. I couldn't check with my playgroups about playdate locations and times. I couldn't check the weather and news at will. I had to *gasp* wait for the 6 o'clock news. (Kind of annoying since Tropical Storm Andrea was heading our way.) I didn't get to listen to Pandora or my favorite podcasts.
And you know what? I survived.
I cooked old favorites from cookbooks long forgotten. I just showed up at the park. Sometimes there were other moms, but sometimes there weren't. And I survived. I pushed my kids on the swings, and collected leaves. Instead of Pinning things to do with the boys, I did them. We drew with sidewalk chalk and blew bubbles and made forts out of couch cushions. We had dance parties. I got to play these really old things called CDs on my kitchen radio. My boys loved it! When I got "bored", I read a book, or I played some Solitaire and Plants vs. Zombies.
I'm not canceling my internet access any time soon, but this little adventure showed me how much time I was taking from life and giving to the web. It's time to take most of that back.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Friday, May 31, 2013
A Letter to My Teething Baby
Dear Bulldog,
Your gums are on fire, and you have spears being driven through your gums. I shouldn't have any joy because of this, but I do. You see, for a little while there, I was afraid that you wanted to wean, that you didn't need me in that special way anymore. Because of your teething pain, you've wanted to nurse A LOT this week. The milk has analgesic properties, so it helps to soothe your pain, and our extended snuggles provide comfort, letting you know that I'm here for you. By being chained to the couch, your favorite nursing spot, I've been forced to take a much needed rest from my daily routine. As a bonus, your amazing big brother has taken to join us on the couch for cuddles. I get to spend my day watching Sesame Street and Thomas the Tank Engine while cuddling with my two favorite boys.
At night, you want only me to help you get to sleep. Daddy just won't do. In spite of the medicine and nursing, you still hurt too much to fall into a peaceful sleep. So I rock you, and sing you every song I know, and pray over you. I pray with more sincerity than I have in a while. As I try to comfort you, I am comforted by my Father. I get a glimpse of what He feels when I hurt, and I know that He is here for me, just as I am here for you. I thank you for that.
I promise, this pain won't last forever. It will end, and it is for a purpose. It is for your good. Once you have teeth, you can eat really awesome stuff like steak. You're just like your daddy, so I'm pretty sure you'll love steak. I wish I could say that this is the last time you'll feel pain like this, but I can't. Life has many times of great pain, but it doesn't last forever. Try to find the joyous moments in the pain, and remember that the Lord and I are watching over you.
Love,
Mommy
Your gums are on fire, and you have spears being driven through your gums. I shouldn't have any joy because of this, but I do. You see, for a little while there, I was afraid that you wanted to wean, that you didn't need me in that special way anymore. Because of your teething pain, you've wanted to nurse A LOT this week. The milk has analgesic properties, so it helps to soothe your pain, and our extended snuggles provide comfort, letting you know that I'm here for you. By being chained to the couch, your favorite nursing spot, I've been forced to take a much needed rest from my daily routine. As a bonus, your amazing big brother has taken to join us on the couch for cuddles. I get to spend my day watching Sesame Street and Thomas the Tank Engine while cuddling with my two favorite boys.
At night, you want only me to help you get to sleep. Daddy just won't do. In spite of the medicine and nursing, you still hurt too much to fall into a peaceful sleep. So I rock you, and sing you every song I know, and pray over you. I pray with more sincerity than I have in a while. As I try to comfort you, I am comforted by my Father. I get a glimpse of what He feels when I hurt, and I know that He is here for me, just as I am here for you. I thank you for that.
I promise, this pain won't last forever. It will end, and it is for a purpose. It is for your good. Once you have teeth, you can eat really awesome stuff like steak. You're just like your daddy, so I'm pretty sure you'll love steak. I wish I could say that this is the last time you'll feel pain like this, but I can't. Life has many times of great pain, but it doesn't last forever. Try to find the joyous moments in the pain, and remember that the Lord and I are watching over you.
Love,
Mommy
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Saving Money at Costco
3 months ago Hubby and I decided to get a Costco membership. Our boys eat A LOT of fruit. Bananas at Costco are 20 cents a pound cheaper than the ones at Publix. We did the math. We go through 6 pounds of bananas a week. By buying bananas at Costco, we'd save at least $62.40 a year. Just in bananas! The membership is $55 a year, so we knew this was something that needed to happen.
I've been told that prices at Costco aren't any better than the grocery stores. I laugh at people who try to convince me that we're wasting our money there. Yes, if you go off your list, you'll rack up a huge bill from stuff you don't need, and not everything at Costco is a great deal. However, a consumer who is aware of product costs and sticks to his/her list is likely to come out ahead when shopping at Costco. We have neither an extra freezer nor a lot of pantry storage. Hubby and I have bought exactly 2 impulse buys in our 3 months as Costco members. Even so, we've already saved enough to cover our membership and then some.
I don't know all of the prices off the top of my head, but this is a list of things I know are cheaper at Costco than at our local grocery stores. I've included the prices for the items that I know. I'll write down the prices for the others on my next trip and update.
Coconut oil- I love this stuff! A 4 pound jar is about $16 at Costco. A 1 pound jar is $13. I go through a jar a month, so that's $12 a month in savings.
Olive Oil
Lemon juice
Baking soda
Yeast (if you bake a lot)
Rice
Annie's Mac and Cheese (I know it's not "real food," but it's a convenience food that I can live with.)
Flour (if you bake a lot)
Sugar (if you bake a lot)
Cinnamon
Garlic powder
Mrs. Dash
Dried oregano
Dried basil
Sea salt
Canned organic tomatoes
Canned mushrooms
Bananas- Costco: 3 lbs at $0.49/ lb Publix: $0.69 / lb
Strawberries- Costco: 4 lbs at $1.99/ lb Publix: $2.50/ lb
Onions, red and yellow
Apples
Garlic
Cantaloupes- Costco: 3 for $6 Publix: $2.50 each on sale
Berries of any kind
Fresh organic spinach
Grape tomatoes
Mushrooms
Celery
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts- Costco :$2.99/ lb Publix: $2.99/ lb when they're on sale. I love not having to wait for a sale!
Whole chickens- Costco: $0.99/ lb Publix: They were just on sale for $1.29/ lb.
Ground beef- Costco- $2.99/ lb Publix: The cheapest ground beef is $3.69/ lb. Costco's tastes much better, too.
Almond milk- Babyzilla has a dairy sensitivity, so we use a lot of this. The price works out to be buy 2 get 1 free.
Yogurt
Eggs
Freezer bags
Garbage bags
Baby wipes
Children's Tylanol (Kirkland brand)
Gasoline- We save about $0.10 a gallon by buying our gas from Costco, and it saves a trip since it's right there.
I've been told that coffee, dog food, maple syrup, and toilet paper are all good deals at Costco, but I haven't confirmed these as we don't use coffee or dog food and are still using toilet paper from my last stock up.
If your family uses any of the above, a Costco membership might be something to consider.
I've been told that prices at Costco aren't any better than the grocery stores. I laugh at people who try to convince me that we're wasting our money there. Yes, if you go off your list, you'll rack up a huge bill from stuff you don't need, and not everything at Costco is a great deal. However, a consumer who is aware of product costs and sticks to his/her list is likely to come out ahead when shopping at Costco. We have neither an extra freezer nor a lot of pantry storage. Hubby and I have bought exactly 2 impulse buys in our 3 months as Costco members. Even so, we've already saved enough to cover our membership and then some.
I don't know all of the prices off the top of my head, but this is a list of things I know are cheaper at Costco than at our local grocery stores. I've included the prices for the items that I know. I'll write down the prices for the others on my next trip and update.
Coconut oil- I love this stuff! A 4 pound jar is about $16 at Costco. A 1 pound jar is $13. I go through a jar a month, so that's $12 a month in savings.
Olive Oil
Lemon juice
Baking soda
Yeast (if you bake a lot)
Rice
Annie's Mac and Cheese (I know it's not "real food," but it's a convenience food that I can live with.)
Flour (if you bake a lot)
Sugar (if you bake a lot)
Cinnamon
Garlic powder
Mrs. Dash
Dried oregano
Dried basil
Sea salt
Canned organic tomatoes
Canned mushrooms
Bananas- Costco: 3 lbs at $0.49/ lb Publix: $0.69 / lb
Strawberries- Costco: 4 lbs at $1.99/ lb Publix: $2.50/ lb
Onions, red and yellow
Apples
Garlic
Cantaloupes- Costco: 3 for $6 Publix: $2.50 each on sale
Berries of any kind
Fresh organic spinach
Grape tomatoes
Mushrooms
Celery
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts- Costco :$2.99/ lb Publix: $2.99/ lb when they're on sale. I love not having to wait for a sale!
Whole chickens- Costco: $0.99/ lb Publix: They were just on sale for $1.29/ lb.
Ground beef- Costco- $2.99/ lb Publix: The cheapest ground beef is $3.69/ lb. Costco's tastes much better, too.
Almond milk- Babyzilla has a dairy sensitivity, so we use a lot of this. The price works out to be buy 2 get 1 free.
Yogurt
Eggs
Freezer bags
Garbage bags
Baby wipes
Children's Tylanol (Kirkland brand)
Gasoline- We save about $0.10 a gallon by buying our gas from Costco, and it saves a trip since it's right there.
I've been told that coffee, dog food, maple syrup, and toilet paper are all good deals at Costco, but I haven't confirmed these as we don't use coffee or dog food and are still using toilet paper from my last stock up.
If your family uses any of the above, a Costco membership might be something to consider.
It's the Little Things
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Strawberry Bread
For the first time ever, our 4 pound clam shell of strawberries from Costco started getting mushy before we'd eaten all of it. There's a popular adage in our church: Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. This was a time to use it up. I searched through my cookbooks for a good way to use up strawberries. I found this recipe in my Food Storage cookbook from the LDS cannery. It was SO good!
Strawberry Bread
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
4 eggs
1 1/4 cup vegetable oil (I use melted coconut oil.)
2 cups sliced strawberries
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add eggs, oil, and berries. Mix until just moistened. Spoon into 2 prepared (greased and floured) loaf pans. Bake at 350 F for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cool in the pans for several minutes. Remove from pans and finish cooling on a wire rack to cool completely.
Strawberry Bread
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
4 eggs
1 1/4 cup vegetable oil (I use melted coconut oil.)
2 cups sliced strawberries
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add eggs, oil, and berries. Mix until just moistened. Spoon into 2 prepared (greased and floured) loaf pans. Bake at 350 F for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cool in the pans for several minutes. Remove from pans and finish cooling on a wire rack to cool completely.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Frozen PB & B Bars
Hubby works for our state's government, and I'm a full-time student and mom. We're not rolling in money by any stretch of the imagination. For the time being, we're receiving food assistance in the form of WIC. In case you aren't familiar with WIC, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, infants, and children up to age 5 receive checks for a monthly allotment of milk, cheese, beans, cereal, etc. One of the things we get a lot of with WIC is peanut butter. The problem is, Babyzilla (who's almost 2 and a half now) doesn't really care for peanut butter. I can eat only so many PB&Js. I use it as a dip for apples and celery, too. Still, I had 5 jars of peanut butter in my cabinets. That's how these beauties were born.
Frozen PB&B Bars
Ripe bananas
Creamy peanut butter
Graham crackers
Mix together bananas with enough peanut butter to make a goopy, yet speadable mixture. (The paddle attachment on a stand mixer is perfect for this.) Spread a spoonfull onto 1/2 of a graham cracker square, and top with the other half. Place the sandwiches in a freezer bag and freeze for at least 2 hours.
The first time I made these, I used 5 bananas and about half of a jar of peanut butter, but use what you have on hand.
Frozen PB&B Bars
Ripe bananas
Creamy peanut butter
Graham crackers
Mix together bananas with enough peanut butter to make a goopy, yet speadable mixture. (The paddle attachment on a stand mixer is perfect for this.) Spread a spoonfull onto 1/2 of a graham cracker square, and top with the other half. Place the sandwiches in a freezer bag and freeze for at least 2 hours.
The first time I made these, I used 5 bananas and about half of a jar of peanut butter, but use what you have on hand.
Zucchini and Beans with Pasta
One of my favorite things about summer is the bounty of available fresh vegetables at low prices. Our farmers' markets are full of zucchini and yellow squash. The beans and pasta in this recipe make a complete protein and a cheap, delicious meal.
1/2 pound of dried Great Northern beans
6 cups sliced zucchini
2 T olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped (any color)
1 large garlic clove, smashed
1 29 oz can of tomato puree
3/4 cup water or vegetable broth
Salt and pepper
4-5 fresh basil leaves OR 1/2 tsp dried basil
Dash of crushed red pepper flakes (more if you like extra kick)
1 pound elbow macaroni or other small pasta
Grated Romano or Parmesan cheese (optional)
Prep: Soak beans overnight
1. Cook beans according to package directions. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup of the cooking liquid.
2. Start heating heavily salted water for pasta.
3. In a large pan, on medium heat, cook the onion in the olive oil until it begins to soften. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook until the garlic becomes fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add zucchini and saute, until slightly softened.
4. Add tomato puree, water or broth, reserved bean broth, salt and pepper. Bring to bubbling. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add beans and basil. Cook 5 more minutes. If it is too thick, add water.
6. Place cooked and drained macaroni into a serving bowl. Spoon 3/4 of the sauce over the pasta and mix. Pour remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle with grated cheese, if using.
1/2 pound of dried Great Northern beans
6 cups sliced zucchini
2 T olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped (any color)
1 large garlic clove, smashed
1 29 oz can of tomato puree
3/4 cup water or vegetable broth
Salt and pepper
4-5 fresh basil leaves OR 1/2 tsp dried basil
Dash of crushed red pepper flakes (more if you like extra kick)
1 pound elbow macaroni or other small pasta
Grated Romano or Parmesan cheese (optional)
Prep: Soak beans overnight
1. Cook beans according to package directions. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup of the cooking liquid.
2. Start heating heavily salted water for pasta.
3. In a large pan, on medium heat, cook the onion in the olive oil until it begins to soften. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook until the garlic becomes fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add zucchini and saute, until slightly softened.
4. Add tomato puree, water or broth, reserved bean broth, salt and pepper. Bring to bubbling. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add beans and basil. Cook 5 more minutes. If it is too thick, add water.
6. Place cooked and drained macaroni into a serving bowl. Spoon 3/4 of the sauce over the pasta and mix. Pour remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle with grated cheese, if using.
Meal Plan 5/27/13
Monday:
Breakfast: Cereal and fruit
Lunch: Black-eyed pea burgers, cantelope
Dinner: Dinner out with Papaw and Gammy
Tuesday:
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs and strawberries
Lunch: Macaroni and cheese, broccoli
Dinner: Chicken enchilada zucchini boats (recipe to come), rice, steamed carrots
Wednesday:
Breakfast: Oatmeal and berries
Lunch: Quesadillas with beans, applesauce
Dinner: Beef stir-fry, rice
Thursday:
Breakfast: Cereal and fruit
Lunch: Pasta with chicken and peas
Dinner: Crock-Pot Lentils, quinoa, and broccoli
Friday:
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs and fruit
Lunch: Ground beef with rice and yellow squash
Dinner: Zucchini and beans with pasta
Saturday:
Breakfast: Cinnamon chip pancakes and cantelope
Lunch: Grilled cheese
Dinner: Lasagna
Sunday:
Breakfast: Cereal and fruit
Lunch: Crock-Pot Lima beans and cornbread
Dinner: Pork chops, couscous, squash, and cinnamon apples (recipe to come)
Breakfast: Cereal and fruit
Lunch: Black-eyed pea burgers, cantelope
Dinner: Dinner out with Papaw and Gammy
Tuesday:
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs and strawberries
Lunch: Macaroni and cheese, broccoli
Dinner: Chicken enchilada zucchini boats (recipe to come), rice, steamed carrots
Wednesday:
Breakfast: Oatmeal and berries
Lunch: Quesadillas with beans, applesauce
Dinner: Beef stir-fry, rice
Thursday:
Breakfast: Cereal and fruit
Lunch: Pasta with chicken and peas
Dinner: Crock-Pot Lentils, quinoa, and broccoli
Friday:
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs and fruit
Lunch: Ground beef with rice and yellow squash
Dinner: Zucchini and beans with pasta
Saturday:
Breakfast: Cinnamon chip pancakes and cantelope
Lunch: Grilled cheese
Dinner: Lasagna
Sunday:
Breakfast: Cereal and fruit
Lunch: Crock-Pot Lima beans and cornbread
Dinner: Pork chops, couscous, squash, and cinnamon apples (recipe to come)
Monday, May 20, 2013
PPD-Talking About it
In January, I made a decision. I decided that I could not continue living with the depression that consumed me. I decided that the deep, dark hopelessness and the fits of rage were not normal, nor were they healthy. Ultimately, I realized that my depression was affecting my ability to parent the way I want. Thanks to some great friends and Hubby, I decided to talk to my doctor about what I was feeling. She prescribed a low dose antidepressant and counseling. For the first time in a long time, I felt hope. I felt like... me. Hubby even commented about how happy he was to have his wife back. Now, I'm enjoying my kids and hopeful for the future.
One of my big priorities this summer is to get into counseling. I put it off this semester because I just could not add another thing to my plate, even if it would have been helpful. My local ICAN group has a list of therapists/ counselors who have dealt with birth trauma. I'm making my first appointment this week. If you're dealing with depression, please get help. There's no need to live in a pit of dispair. You're not crazy, and you're not alone.
One of my big priorities this summer is to get into counseling. I put it off this semester because I just could not add another thing to my plate, even if it would have been helpful. My local ICAN group has a list of therapists/ counselors who have dealt with birth trauma. I'm making my first appointment this week. If you're dealing with depression, please get help. There's no need to live in a pit of dispair. You're not crazy, and you're not alone.
Weekly Meal Plan 5/20/13
Monday:
Breakfast: Cereal, melon
Lunch: Pasta, chicken, broccoli
Dinner: Pineapple BBQ pork loin, brown rice, carrot chips
Tuesday:
Breakfast: Oatmeal, blueberries
Lunch: Quesadillas, red beans, oranges
Dinner: Pork chops, black eyed peas, spinach, stewed apples
Wednesday:
Breakfast: Eggs, apples
Lunch: Macaroni and cheese with tuna and peas
Dinner: London broil, broccoli, yellow squash, rice
Thursday:
Breakfast: Eggs, strawberries
Lunch: Red beans, rice, spinach
Dinner: Black eyed pea patties, rice, peaches, salad
Friday:
Breakfast: Cereal, fruit
Lunch: Cream cheese crackers, carrots
Dinner: Enchilada zucchinis, fruit cocktail
Saturday:
Breakfast: Baked oatmeal
Lunch: Leftovers or quesadillas
Dinner: Fajitas,
Sunday:
Breakfast: Cereal, fruit
Lunch: Hubby's Crock-Pot lima beans, cornbread,
Dinner: Curried lentils, brown rice, spinach
Breakfast: Cereal, melon
Lunch: Pasta, chicken, broccoli
Dinner: Pineapple BBQ pork loin, brown rice, carrot chips
Tuesday:
Breakfast: Oatmeal, blueberries
Lunch: Quesadillas, red beans, oranges
Dinner: Pork chops, black eyed peas, spinach, stewed apples
Wednesday:
Breakfast: Eggs, apples
Lunch: Macaroni and cheese with tuna and peas
Dinner: London broil, broccoli, yellow squash, rice
Thursday:
Breakfast: Eggs, strawberries
Lunch: Red beans, rice, spinach
Dinner: Black eyed pea patties, rice, peaches, salad
Friday:
Breakfast: Cereal, fruit
Lunch: Cream cheese crackers, carrots
Dinner: Enchilada zucchinis, fruit cocktail
Saturday:
Breakfast: Baked oatmeal
Lunch: Leftovers or quesadillas
Dinner: Fajitas,
Sunday:
Breakfast: Cereal, fruit
Lunch: Hubby's Crock-Pot lima beans, cornbread,
Dinner: Curried lentils, brown rice, spinach
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