Nutty Jumbles

I found a recipe that I liked for " Nutty Jumbles " in the Kids Cookbook by Williams Sonoma. Although the recipe looked good, it wasn't satisfing to me so I simply changed and edited to my liking and needs. Heres what I came up with and OMG they are delish - I can't wait to share them on our trip!





April's version of " Nutty Jumbles "
2 Egg Whites
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla ( I like to add a little more )
pinch of salt
1 cup chopped almonds
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup granola clusters ( I used Origin's brand honey oat clusters )

Mix the egg whites, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in small bowl until frothy. Add in almonds, pecans and the oat clusters and stir with spoon until well coated with the egg mixture.
Drop by spoonfull onto baking sheet and bake @ 350° for approx 15 min ( or untill deep golden brown ) Note: next time I will use something on the sheet so they dont stick!
Remove immediately to let cool - and you can store these at room temp in a sealed bag, or container for up to a week!

Enjoy!
We plan to take these on our trip -- I'll let you know how they worked as a snack!

Never seen these before!

I don't think I have seen tags that say Small and Medium in years... like since I was 3 or maybe even 5 years old :).
Seriously though it was time to get some clothes that fit ( I have been making my bigger ones work ) and in an attempt to " move into my new body " my phsyco suggested maybe I figure out what size I really am, and get something new. I found some great deals - ended up with a whole new wardrobe for a measly 40.00!!!

So you wanna know the sizes? I am still in shock!
Small and Medium tops mainly --- some L and XL in certain brands ( I think Ill call these stick figure brands i.e. Ambercrombie, Macy's label, and even some Calvin Cleins ).
And in pants.....
10's are loose.
8's are pretty darn comfy if you ask me!

Getting better...

At accepting what is.

Life is what it is, and along with that are all the decissions I have made, we have made or just the things that happen to us as humans.
I am learning to accept what is.

This past week I have felt emotionally better. I had my apt with my physco yesterday and even she was releived to see me a lil' more at peace.
I don't really know why other than this past week I litterally have done nothing. No schedule, no cleaning no anything - I think I needed to crash and its what I did. I'm feeling refreshed and focused now and looking forward to the things to come. I told Dr. Palmer I really wish I could feel like this for awhile - I like this feeling, I just need to find a happy medium, I need to accept what is.

Holy Mol(d)y!

We ripped up the kitchen floor today - because they are coming monday to install the new floor.

Well our intuitions were right. We found mold, and water damage under the washing area in the kitchen. No wonder the old tiles ( the lamanate crap like in schools and hospitals ) has cracks, stunk and were coming loose.

.... We let the office know and they are sending an inspector and the workers out to check it out before putting our new floor in.

I am so happy we decided to pull them up, the office wanted us to leave them down, and just have the contractor lay the new floor over the broken floor. Can you imagine?! Ewww...

I will update once its done!

My 10 affirmations, or something like it

Last week I blogged that Dr. Palmer wanted me to write out 10 self Affirmations

So here's what I turned in. I suggest that anyone who is having any self issues sits down and tries this excersize. It's not anywhere close to easy for me to do this, and I would think it wouldn't come that easily for anyone, esp those with self image or self worth issues.

How to : Slow down long enough to think about yourself. Now write down 10 things about your-self. 10 -self affirmations. Have fun

10 Affirmations about me - by me

1. I am STRONG
In all that I do, even if I feel it's too much or more than I could or would want to handle - I am strong. I am strong and always do well.

2. I am GIVING/LOVING

An ear to listen, a shoudler to cry on? A can of food, or the shirt of my back? A simple hug or I love you? I am good at all of these and more. I am giving and loving.

3. I am BEAUTIFUL

Sounds conceided, but its true. I do know this. Sometimes I stare at myself and think how lucky I am. When my eyes are green with happiness and my skin is well hydrated and I am feeling well - I beleive I glow. I beleive I am beautiful.

4. I am HONEST

I own my mistake, own up to my faults and never lie. In all my actions and words I am honest.

5. I am WORTH LOVING

I give all my love and deserve it right back. Anyform or Anyways I am worth loving.

6. I am a " GOOD " PERSON

I never try to intentionally hurt someone or something. I like to be unto others as I would like them to be to me. I am a " good " person.

7. I am " HAPPY"

I always try to find the good in situations, news or things. I am always " happy " with looking at it as " its a 1/2 full glass " it takes alot to truely upset me or my thinking. I am " Happy".

8. I am a GREAT MOTHER & WIFE

Along with the others hats I wear day in and day out I have 2 major accomplishments. My Husband and my Daughter. I always try to do my best for them and by them often times putting myself completely aside. I am a great mother and wife.

9.

10.

As you can see I haven't yet thought of #9 and #10. Its much harder than I thought it would be....

But it's a start!

Running from my problems?!

I seen my phsyco the other day...
she not so easily pointed out a good point. After I wiped the tears, got mad, then got over it I have come to realize shes right.
Im doing this to my self. I am only " running from my problems ".

I've been very open and honest about all I am going through and the toll its taking on my mind. Well this means I have been honest with myself too, for the most part anyways - and now I need to step it up and get on with this.
The end goal is simple. I dont want to have a break down. I want to learn how to handle things easier and make the best mental calls I can. Doesnt sound too hard but apparently it is.

Through therapy weekly I have been working through the issues, and had to even come to why the issues started. Yes they mainly have been triggered by my WLS, but really many were there much before that. I just put one more helping on my plate, and tried to cover the rest.
Lately I have been very Obsessive Compussive about things. I didn't realize this at first but when Dr. Palmer made me slow down and look at what I do and don't do in a day its become very clear.
I have been keeping myself busy too. This could be out and about, on the phone, out with people, for a walk anything and everything that keeps my mind busy ...

well guess what - CLICK ON CAME MY LIGHT.

Im keeping myself busy so I dont have to " think " about anything on my mind.
This state of business is whats leading to the OCD's, the flash backs, the insecurity and even the mess of thoughts that pop in my head for no reason.

Simply put I wasnt/havent been dealing with my problems.

I've been running from my problems....

This weeks goals :

1.) Keep working on Accepting the things I cannot change, or have control over.
2.) Work on beleiving that being " still " with myself is ok. I can have down time. I need not be OCD, and worked up all the time
3.) Keep blogging/Journaling through this process
4.) Keep a better food journal - I need to be mindful of what I am doing to my body!

Next Apt. is this coming friday at 11am.

Chicken Teri-Yummy

I decided to try to expand the veggie intake - and up the protein too.

So lastnight I made chicken teryaki ( spelling? ).

Ill call it chicken teri-yummy! it was delish and oh so good for me!

Family Activity : Home Made Scented Playdough

Tonight Mike, Madaya and I made playdough - thanks to my friend Tara's new blog and a cool new recipe I hadn't tried ( we have made tons of different doughs ) this one was for Kool-Aid scented dough.

You can view Tara's blog Happy Kidlets for many more fun ideas!

We followed Tara's blog posting but sence we only have die free kool aid - of course ours didn't come out colored. We made GRAPE flavored dough.. yummy

Scented Playdough

Ingredients:

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

1 cup water

2 tablespoons oil

2 tablespoons cream of tartar

2 tablespoons glitter (optional)

1 packet unsweetened drink mix (like Kool-Aid)

Directions

1. Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar, glitter, and oil.

2. Add water.

3. Whisk until well-blended.

4. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until stiff and all sticks onto itself.

5. Turn out onto wax paper to to let cool.

6. Knead until proper consistency.

7. store in a sealed plastic baggie.

* I would choose a different kind of glitter or no glitter at all, although it was pretty - it was kind of messy.

After we made the dough we played with it for a while it was alot of fun. Even Shelby joined in. This dough really is fun for all ages and smells wonderful! Heres what we made :)

Daddy made a " momma "

Roo - loved the smell of it, didnt really shape anything

Momma made a snow woman

Shelby said Hi and made some hearts

Thanks Tara - for the sharing the idea we really enjoyed it!

Yummers! Chedder Garlic Biscuts

I am always looking for Roo-friendly foods that she will actually eat - well tonight it hit me that one of our favorites could be adapted to suit daya too!

I made these tonight with her white cheddar ( no dies ) and they came out better than the original - a feit I never thought possible. The biscuts came out a lovely golden color even though they are completely daya safe - no dies, no yellow cheese!

If you like Red Lobsters's cheddar bay biscuts ( you know the basket full you get when you go to eat?! ) then you will LOVE these too!





INGREDIENTS


2 cups biscuit baking mix
1 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese - I used white cheddar, try using other kinds?
2/3 cup milk + 1/4 cup milk - I used skim to cut the fat
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder + 1/4 tsp ( if you like them with LOTS of garlic )
2 tablespoons margarine, melted
2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic salt

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Grease a cookie sheet, or line with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine baking mix, Cheddar cheese, and garlic powder. Stir in milk. Drop batter by heaping tablespoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheet.
Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Brush biscuits with melted margarine, and sprinkle with parsley and garlic salt. Bake for 5 more minutes, or until lightly browned on the bottom.

On the flip side of the shutter...

We were at the wedding friday and since I am usually the photographer,

its rare im on " this side " of the lense.
Well here you go...
Selina ( in training :) ). Took a few shots of us. I promise to get some good family ones soon. I will continue to work on selina's SLR training and then I will try with me doing it via tripod and remote.
Enjoy these for now ;) You asked for them!

Shelby and Daya

The Evans family

Shelby and I

The usual... Mike and Apes

Um... I dont even know what to say about us?!