Where is all that food going?

My kids used to be great eaters. They would eat anything I gave them. Even still their favorite things to eat are fish and veggies. (I wish I felt the same!) But lately they have had the appetites of birds one day and then they'll be ravenous the next day. There is no happy medium. Today is a ravenous day. Already today (by noon) they have had:

Oatmeal

Spinach Smoothies

Applesauce

Bananas

Plums

Cherrios

Steak

Chicken Dogs

Pickles

Jello

Pudding

Popcorn

Popsicles

She knows how to make a mess. She already had a bath after breakfast and I finally took her bib and shirt off during lunch. They were out of control. And she was wearing a white shirt...that's going to be fun. 

Somewhat cleaner now that he too is shirtless. He LOVES his popsicles. 

Seriously? They just keep wanting more. Chloe has been teething for the last 3 days. She has 4 molars coming in all at the same time. So the only thing I've been able to get her to eat since Sunday has been milk, smoothies, applesauce and oatmeal. Apparently she is feeling better today and making up for lost time. 

Are your kids the same? Do their appetites fluctuate all over the place too? 

Stop Being Fat! Friday

I've always struggled with my weight. I have done many fad diets over the years and my weight has gone up and down numerous times. Since having my two babes I was at the highest weight of my life and I was miserable. I started going to Zumba and fell in love. I dropped about 25 lbs without changing much to my diet, I just went to Zumba 2-3 times a week. I then hit a plateau and realized that I needed to do more than just exercise. My main goal is to get healthy. For myself and for my kids.

About a month and a half ago my cousin started a weight loss challenge. My husband and I both joined and really decided to get our butts in gear. We signed up for the gym and got started on MyFitnessPal.  So far things are going great. I have lost another 23 pounds and the hubs has lost 19. We're not doing anything crazy. I want to make healthy changes that I will be able to live with. I love cooking and baking and still indulge once in a while. But it's not everyday and I just try to work out extra hard that day. 

I am going to start posting about what works for me and what doesn't. And I hope by doing so you guys will help me stay on track. In no way am I saying I am a pro at this stuff. Obviously. If I was I wouldn't look the way I do. I am simply trying to be better. But I am human. I make mistakes. I love Diet Coke and although I've cut back, it's my 'treat' most days, so don't give me any crap about it okay? If I want a cookie I might just eat one, but now I know how many calories its taking up out of my daily allowance. I have good days and bad days and I'm just hoping to have more good than bad. 

Today I thought I'd post about my new obsession: Spinach Fruit Smoothies. These things are packed with vitamins and nutrients. Spinach is extremely rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, magnesium, manganese, folate, betaine, iron, vitamin B₂, calcium, potassium, vitamin B₆, folic acid, copper, protein, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids. Yeah spinach rocks. Then you add in the fruit and if you can believe it, it just gets better and better. You can use any type of fruit you like to cover up add to the spinach. I also like to add some Fresca. I love the citrus peachy flavor and its zero calories. (but these are great without the soda as well)  As far as fruit, I use whatever I have on hand. This week I have been making them like this. 

1/3 cup of blueberries

1/3 cup of raspberries

1/3 cup of blackberries

3/4 cup pineapple

2 cups (?)  of spinach (I just grab a big bunch and stuff it in)

2 tbsp Chia Seeds

1 can of fresca (or however much you want to get your desired thickness.)

Handful of ice

*Blend and enjoy*

Have you tried Chia seeds? (Yes they are the Cha Cha Cha Chia seeds! From the Chia pets!)  I was recently introduced to them and on my last trip to Good Earth I stocked up on them. They are loaded with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber. One ounce of them has 4 grams of protein. They also are packed with phosphorus, manganese, calcium, potassium and sodium. I use them like I use flax seed. I use them in my smoothies and even sprinkled on top of my cereal.

This recipe makes about three 12 oz smoothies. If you add the Chia Seeds each smoothie is just 66 calories! If you don't add the seeds then each serving is only 44 calories! I think these are delicious. And the hubs and they kids are sold. They drink theirs right up and the babes are constantly asking 'moothies! please momma".

Give these a try. We also love them with banana's, peaches, strawberries and oranges. 

What works for you when dieting? What's your 'go to' snack?

Manic Monday

Last week was insanely busy. If I wasn't the worlds biggest procrastinator I probably would handle busy days alot better. But life sneaks up on me. Before I know it that 'thing' that I thought I had plenty of time to get ready for is tomorrow and I have to stay up all night getting ready for it. I used to be able to do just fine on little to no sleep but this week I have realized that my body really does need sleep to survive.

Kids finally asleep. Coffee table turned craft space from midnight until 7am. 

Although it was a crazy week, it was so much fun. It was a week filled with Birthdays, more Bridal showers in a week than I think I've attended in the past year, and Bijou. All went amazingly well and I loved every minute of it. It was great to see family and friends (and meet new family and friends) at the showers, and Bijou was great. My stuff sold really well which makes me one happy girl. 

Having stuff going on everyday made me remember what it's like to get ready each and every day. Not that I stay in sweats everyday, but some days I just throw on jeans and a shirt and call it good. This week was a planned out outfit everyday! Not just two or three days a week like most weeks. Oh the joys of motherhood.

Anyways... I thought it would be fun to start some outfit posts. I love when people do them on their blogs. I love to see what fun outfits everyone comes up with, so I too am going to join. Here's what I wore to Hadley's shower on Wednesday. (Note that I wanted to take pictures outside before the shower but it was all rainy. Then I spaced on photos until hours later and we were about to head home. So next week hopefully I'll get some better photos.)

Hadley and I. Isn't she the cutest?

Pants: Old Navy, Shoes: Target, Top: Forever 21, Tank: Whimsy, Watch: Michael Kors, Bracelets: Macy's, Target & Lucky, Necklaces: Target and Urban Outfitters.

What do you think? When I first bought these pants I was unsure about the color, but now I LOVE them. I will be linking up to Real Mom Real Style on Momma Go Round & What I Wore Wednesday on The Pleated Poppy .

Maybe we shouldn't have named him Danger...

Jaxon has always been a pro at the stairs. Until tonight. He was in a hurry and slipped and fell down the last 4 or 5 steps. He didn't cry much at first but then every time he would stand or try and walk he would immediately fall down crying. It was heart-breaking. The hubs was out playing poker with the guys, so my in-laws watched Chloe, while me and my little buddy took a trip to the emergency room around 11:00pm.

This week has been so busy, that I was really looking forward to putting the kids to bed and diving into my new book. But then life smacked me in the face and I remembered that things don't go as planned. (Especially once you have kids!)

Jaxon is doing good now. They gave home some meds and the nurses were super sweet to him. They loaded him up with lots of stickers and one even went to the cafeteria to get him orange juice (the only thing he kept asking for). We have to go back this week for more X-rays and to see if his foot is healing in this cast or if they need to put him in something else. Hopefully it will heal fast and he won't be in any more pain. We have a wedding in 13 days and he needs to be fully functional to play with all his cousins! (not because he just got new grey Chucks for the wedding that won't fit over his cast!)

I am blaming Scotty for this one. First broken bone at age 2? Yeah... He might just be living up to his middle name.

Bijou.

Come show your support! There are so many amazing artists at this show. Guaranteed treasures to be found. I'm selling my owls and a few banners. And I just checked their blog and my owls were right there! It made me a little giddy. Hopefully I can finish the rest of these owls tonight. (I may or may not still have 18 owls in front of me at this very moment just waiting to be sewn together). Luckily I work well on no sleep. Sleep is for suckers. 

Bridal Shower Madness!

This week is a crazy one. I have 4 bridal showers to attend (plus 2 birthday parties and a craft show), one of which I threw for my soon-to-be sister in law. It was a small shower just for our family to get to know Hadley a little better. My cousin Kylene was sweet enough to have it at her place. It went so well, and I for one had a wonderful time. Here are a few pictures from the night.

We set up a 'salad station' for dinner.

These Oatmeal Lemon Bars were a hit. Keep reading for the recipe .

Totally obsessed with jars and paper straws lately!

My sister and I with Hadley and her mom and 2 sisters.

Chloe was loving all the attention from the boys! 

My Aunt's and cousins.

I heart my family!

Miss Chloe with the bride.

Scrap fabric + rope = banner.

Loving this burlap banner. Making a few more of these for Bijou today!

My sweet friend Nichole totally saved my butt once again.

The Oatmeal Lemon Bars were a total hit. I can't take credit for the recipe, your thank you's should be directed to Betty Crocker. This recipe is all over Pinterest and turned out better than expected. (I may have made them 2 days in a row) But don't worry my fellow MyFitnessPal users. I added up all the calories and have kept track of each of (285 calorie) piece I have.

 Oatmeal Lemon Bars

1/2 cup cold butter

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® oatmeal cookie mix

1 egg

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1/4 cup lemon juice

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom of 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.

2. In large bowl, cut butter into cookie mix, using fork or pastry blender. Stir in egg until mixture is crumbly. Press half of cookie mixture into bottom of pan; bake 15 minutes.

3. In small bowl, stir condensed milk, lemon peel and lemon juice until thick. Spread over baked crust. Crumble remaining cookie mixture over top. Bake about 25 minutes longer or until light golden brown. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set. For bars, cut into 5 rows by 5 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

The shower was small and thrown together fairly quickly, but I thought it turned out great. What do you think?

Hunger Games, oh how I love you...

*This post was originally posted on my other blog a couple weeks ago. But I decided to move it over here as well.

A bunch of friends and I went to see the Hunger Games Thursday (March 22). We went to a special showing at 7:00 before the movie 'officially' comes out. The lady that put it all together did amazing! We all got lanyards and goodie bags upon entering the theater and then they had a bunch of prizes. She had it all organized by 'Districts' and there were 'Seam' prizes as well. It was such a fun night! It was 7 of the girls from our Book Club and a few of our husbands who have read the book as well who all went to the movie. We thought it would be fun to have matching shirts but being the procrastinators that we are we didn't think about it until 2 days before the movie. And thus there was no where to print shirts that fast. So my sweet friends Nichole and Meagan and I took matters into out own hands.

Linking up to Tater Tots & Jello.

We used my silhouette to cut out Mockingjays and letters from cardstock to paint around, along with fabric letters to iron on to the shirts we bought.

We spray painted the small red mockingjays in between the fabric letters.

Dari, Me, Cheryl, Nichole, Brittney, Meagan & Jeanette

The guys were good sports and let us dress them up as well.

Didn't they turn out great? 

Cheryl & I. Notice my Mockingjay pin.  (Thanks Mommy!)  I may be a super fan 

We all had so much fun. Thank you Dari for setting it all up! And I LOVED the movie. I even went and saw it AGAIN that night at midnight. What do you think of the shirts? Have you seen the movie???