Friday, January 30, 2009

Turkey tacos

I have been eating bad things since the ice storm. Just wanting some comfort food. My way.

As I was raised eating Mexican food, I am quite picky about the kind of Mexican food I eat. There are only certain Mexican restaurants that I eat out at.

So as I started to redo the way I cook since I'm trying to eat better and getting Hubster off his medications, I made turkey tacos.

Now, I know y'all probably already make turkey tacos. But I had never made some.

Mostly because I like my tacos greasy and with 80/20 meat. Oh joy!!!!!

Well, this is my version of a healthier taco. I thought it was pretty good, but then again, anything with avocado is good.

Turkey Tacos

2 lb ground turkey
sea salt
ground pepper
3 tsp garlic powder
4 tsp.cumin powder
3 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 TB potato starch

Brown the turkey in a skillet, salt and pepper to your taste. Add onion powder. Mix well.
Add potato starch ( trying to be gluten free, but you can use regular flour). Brown with the meat.

Add 2 cups (or more) of water(or broth) add garlic, cumin and chili powder. Cook for about 20 minutes until spices cook with meat.

I don't really know measurements because I just throw it all together, but just taste as you go.

I put mine on warm corn tortillas, added some homemade salsa, avocado and romaine lettuce.

Even Hubster said it wasn't bad.

So there you have it, a healthier version of tacos.

Enjoy!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

We had fun in the ice..... but I'm tired of mopping

We had an ice storm here that started on Monday. By Tuesday, it was sleeting and there was lots of freezing rain.

Everyone knows I don't drive on ice, so we were stuck at home since Monday.

The other thing that happens when the weather is bad is that our Internet doesn't work so well. The joys of satellite Internet.

Even though the schools were all out for snow days, we still had school.

But after school, even though it was 23 degrees and freezing rain was falling, the boys wanted to go out and play in it.

They got bundled up and out they went. They got cold and came back in.

They bundled up again and went back out. They got cold again and came back in.

After mopping a couple of times, I finally told them it was too cold for them to be out there.

Someone asked me where my sense of adventure was when I told them that they boys wanted to continue playing in this weather. My response was that it went away after the upteenth time I bundled and unbundled and mopped.


It did look pretty out there. All white and cold.


Then yesterday, it wasn't warmer by any means, 12 degrees is what my thermostat said, but the sun was shining brightly. The boys wanted to go out again. No school for the town, but definately school for us. So before school this time, we went outside with our generic sleds (cardboard boxes and plastic tote lids) and went sledding down the hill in front of our house.
It was fun running and sledding and trying to see who won. And it even did me good to get out of the house.
UB preferred the plastic lid because it wasn't as fast as the cardboard.

AB preferred the cardboard box. It was his mode of transportation down the hill.


The neighbor boys came over and all 4 of the boys had fun just playing out in the ice that was melting. They actually went out to the dry pond. The hills are more fun there.
And after a hard day outside in the freezing temps they came inside to eat what?
A Popsicle. Strange kids.


Monday, January 26, 2009

Hands on Health Field trip

After a very busy week, we took a field trip to a hands on health place. We hadn't been on a field trip in a while and had been wanting to do this one.

I didn't know what to expect. Most health places are somewhat boring. Too much knowledge for kids to understand.

But this place was pretty cool. They had lots of hands on stuff for the kids and the kids all seem to have enjoyed it.

One of the purposes of this place is to show the kids all the different areas out there in the medical field and maybe intrigue their interest to do one when they grow up.

They even had a car where you would sit in and the video game was showing you how difficult it is to manuvour the car when you are drunk. They also had an area for those people that smoked. It showed the difference in healthy lungs and smokers lungs.

When they walked in, they encountered this slide. It was in a head and when they slid down, air would blow on them to signify the sneeze. The bottom part had a red punch bag that looked like the tonsils. Needless to say, this was a hit with all the kids.
They had places throughout the area where you could step into the doctors shoes. It showed a little video of the role of the doctor and told you all about it. You would step out and then step back in and it would be another doctor's role.

UB's favorite place was the pharmacy. He pretended to be the pharmacist and enjoyed it.


AB's favorite place was where you pretended to be a surgeon. They were able to keep the mask and cap and they were quite thrilled with that.
This surgery place had a plastic bin of some sort and you would stick your hands into the gloves that were there. They would actually perform surgeries. They could do heart surgery, knee surgery or something else. The video was performing at the same time and tell all about the surgery.


The boys enjoyed it, and they even learned a few things.
Great way to end the week.


Thursday, January 22, 2009

No more cavities

I do not like to go to the dentist. I've got nothing against dentists, I just hate having to keep my mouth open, wide at that, for such a long period of time.

Not to mention, it hurts.

We hadn't gone to the dentist in over a year. I know, I know.

But when we did go, it was to a dentist that didn't take any x-rays. Only cleaned our teeth and I'm not really sure he did such a great job.

So when in December, UB started complaining that his mouth hurt where a particular tooth was, I noticed he had a cavity.

Our insurance, to say the least, is stupid. The dentist that had semi-cleaned our teeth retired and that meant that the closest dentist to us was over an hours drive away.

We tried going to a closer one that was actually cheaper than all the other dentists around, but the insurance wouldn't go for that.

So off Hubster went to take UB to the dentist to see how they could help him.

He had 4 cavities that required extensive work. We took UB twice in December to get them fixed and then set up an appointment in January for the rest of us to get our teeth checked and cleaned.

All of us, with the exception of Hubster, have finished all our dental work. And let me tell you, I am quite happy that driving over an hour is done for now.

I don't mind driving, I do mind having to pay the toll. It starts adding up after a while.

Anyway, yesterday, both boys had fillings put in. It was funny to watch them with their numb lips and cheeks after the procedure.

AB did not like the feeling and kept putting his lips like Donald Duck. UB just stood there and was drooling because he couldn't feel his bottom lip.

I didn't want to laugh, but of course I had to.

So today, when it was my turn to get numbed up, they thought it was funny. But they took it a step further. They kept pinching my lip and cheek to see if I felt it.

Crazy boys, I'm numb, not dead.

So I consider dentistry in my top three list of jobs I'm glad I don't have.

The other two are.....gynecology and podiatry.

Anybody else with me?

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

You know your kids watch too much Biggest Loser when......

..........you are in a crowded restaurant and in a loud voice ask "How many calories are in what we are eating mom?" and "Whose food has the most calories, mine or yours?"

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

I sure do like food that's not good for me

I have come to the conclusion (again) that what I eat, affects what I want to accomplish.
In this case, the running.

I had been doing well in eating healthier and smaller portions. Along with walking and running.

Hubster was out of town for a couple of days last week. So that meant that I had to make arrangements to do things differently.

It was a little cold and windy outside and we have come to the conclusion that I am a wimp, so therefore running outside on my hilly driveway was not going to happen.

I could have gone to the gym, but I made an excuse not to go.

So after all the excuses, I became lazy and ate. I ate stuff that was good, but definately not good for me.

And when I went back to the gym yesterday to start again, I could feel how terrible my body felt. With all that extra junk in there.

Of course, it started when I had heartburn at night and couldn't sleep.

I did eat a lot healthier yesterday and my body thanked me. I found these at the grocery store the other day. They are also on this diet. Not that I'm on that diet.

Flatout flatbread. I had never tried them, but they looked good and healthy. Multi grain with some flax and extra fiber. Sounds good right? Yeah, not to me either.

But I figured, why not? Let's give it a try. I could use the extra fiber.

I had it yesterday with a piece of grilled chicken in it, along with lettuce, tomato and some avadaco (my good fat). It was pretty good.

I mean, it's not an authentic tortilla that is scrumptuously made with lard, but it's not bad.

I'm sure there's lots of stuff that you can do with these things.

I just need to figure out what else to do to make them edible for me.

In the meantime, I'll continue to look for ways to eat healthier or smaller portions of my favorite foods in order to accomplish my goals.

Monday, January 19, 2009

My Monday Pet Peeve

Having gray hair blended with black hair has been an experience.

I actually like the way it looks.

I also like the fact that I don't have to spend lots of money coloring my hair every 2-3 weeks.

Maybe one day I'll go back to coloring it, but right now, I'm enjoying it.

I have encountered a lot of people that have known me before I went gray and don't recognize me.

I have also encountered a lot of people that talked to me before I went gray and now act like they are going to get a 'gray hair' disease.

It's actually quite humorous.

They are just jealous because I'm not afraid of showing my wisdom. (gray hair is a sign of wisdom)

I still have a lot of people tell me that I'm crazy for not coloring my hair.

Some just ask "why"?

I think it's to each his/her own. I feel comfortable with my hairdo and it's no one's business what I should do.

I don't mind people's opinions but if they are just telling me things because they are shallow, then that's another thing.

In people's eyes, gray hair means old.

But sometimes I look younger, with my gray hair, than those shallow people, that wear 3 inches of caked on makeup, 1/2" thick eyeliner and globs and globs of mascara.

And they are 5 or more years younger than me.

I know this is a negative post, but I just had to get this off my chest.

Besides, it's my blog and I can write about whatever I want.

I don't like people that treat you one way when you are alone with them and then another way when they are around their friends.

So that is my pet peeve for this beautiful Monday Morning.

What is your pet peeve?

Friday, January 16, 2009

My goals for 2009

Every year I have resolutions. Lose weight, find the patience that I lost, be more organized, blah blah blah blah blah.

And every year I break my resolutions.

I like food, so losing weight only happens for a week or so.

I can never seem to find that misplaced patience.

And well, not even going to comment on the organization skills I lack.

But this year, Since I will be 40, I decided I was going to set goals.

So I have two major goals that I've been striving for this year.

Running a 5K and a half marathon.

I have asked some people to do both with me. Some have said yes, some said I was crazy. But my sister in law said she would definitely do the half marathon with me. I need accountability. And stamina because she is ten years younger than me.

I'm determined to do this. I am following this plan. I've kind of adjusted it a little, but still follow it as much as I can.

That first week was hard. I couldn't even run 1 minute without feeling like I was going to pass out.

I'm on week three of this plan. I've done pretty good this week. Made it to running 10 minutes. A big accomplishment for me.

Little steps will get me there I know.

So, any goals for you?

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

The treadmill ride

Yesterday, when I went to the gym, I decided I was going to start off with the treadmill. It's an older treadmill without all those bells and whistles.

Anyway, I pushed the on button and nothing happened.

I pushed it again and still nothing, so then I started pushing other buttons. Trying to get the machine to work.

I'd hear a buzz, but it kinda sounded sick. I continued pushing that same button thinking that maybe it was trying to work.

I finally moved a switch somewhere and it started. Of course, the lady working there had to help.

While I was on this machine, I started off slow, then proceeded to go faster. While I was going fast, I noticed that my legs were burning.

Talking to myself is what I do best so I said "Self, this really hurts." Self just kept walking fast.

After a while I said "Self, this is just like walking up and down the driveway, we should just stay home and do that." Self just kept walking fast.

Finally, my legs said to self "Self, why are we burning so much? Why do we feel like we are back home. Why does it feel like we are climbing a mountain?" Self just kept walking fast.

I finally told Self to look at the machine to see why.

Then I saw it.

The incline button was pushed halfway up.

It seems that the button that I was pushing that was making the buzz was instead the incline and decline button.

So I casually reach down and push the down arrow to lower me.

Then today, I decided to try the bike. I get on and notice that my left pedal is making a weird noise.

I continued pedaling. Faster and faster I went.

Then I heard it.

The left pedal was laying on the floor.

It had come unscrewed.

I'm afraid they are going to kick me out. First not knowing the elliptical and then the pedal on the bike.

Oh well.

So I came home and made these muffins. I used gluten free flour and coconut oil and they were mighty tasty.

Blueberry Muffins
1 3/4 cup sifted flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup blueberries, drained
1 egg beaten
1/2 c milk
1/3 c oil

sift dry ingredients together. Mix egg, milk and oil together in another bowl. Mix wet into dry and mix just until dry ingredients are wet. Gently stir in blueberries. Bake 400 degrees for 25 minutes. Makes 12

Monday, January 12, 2009

I've started exercising. Good or Bad?

So one of my goals for this year (as is every year) is to get back in shape. But this year it's got to happen. This year I turn the big _0. And it's got me thinking that I'm probably in the worst shape ever.

So with that being said, I've started exercising some. I think I was psyching myself out to believe that my body was still that 20 something body that had a high metabolism. The body where no matter what I ate or when I ate it, it would not hang around for longer than 20 minutes.

Besides, I'd eventually like to start wearing all those nice clothes hanging in my closet. And I'm kind've tired of UB playing with my rolls.

A couple of weeks ago, when the weather was pretty, I started walking outside. We have a nice long driveway with lots of hills. Going down the driveway was not a problem, coming up was. Those little hills sneak up on you and make you hurt all over.

Then I'd go out there and walk some then run. I would run for a full minute and get winded. I don't even think I made it a full minute. But I still made it a point to try.

By the third day, I ran the full minute, then walked two. I did that for 20 minutes. It wasn't that bad, but I'm a wimp and those little hills on the driveway were taunting me. I was in pain. My saddlebags were hurting. If that's even possible.

By the time I was getting used to it, the weather turned cold. I'm a wimp remember. I stayed indoors.

Last week, I added another minute to the running. So I was up to run 2 minutes then walk 2.

Let me tell, you. I am not a long distance runner. I am a sprinter. Even when I wasn't exercising I made it a point to sprint to the bathroom. That's probably the only exercise I ever got.

Running long and slow is not something I'm used to. I've always been a sprinter, even back in my school days.

While I was running/walking last week, the boys were encouraging me. AB was working out with me while UB would stand on the side and every time I would pass him, he'd throw a rock or a stick at me. I'm thinking it was to motivate me to run faster.

That little turkey would just laugh at how fast it made me run. My kids sure do love me.

My favorite songs on my ipod that I listen to while exercising are Skinny Songs. They are so much fun to listen to.

Our church has a Life Center. A gym that has a basketball court, a walking track and a little weight room. I got up early this morning and went to go exercise. I was quite proud of myself. I even made it running 4 minutes at fast pace without thinking I was going to pass out and die.

Hey, 4 minutes is better than no minutes. And for this bubble butt girl with thunder thighs, it's an accomplishment.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

AB

The boys and I went into a store yesterday and when we left the store and got settled in the car, this is the conversation that took place.

AB: Why do some people have their lips inside out?

Me: eyes pop open wide ~ what do you mean?

AB: You know. Inside out, like this. (proceeds to show me )

Me: ~facing forward. Driving. ~ who had lips like that?

AB: That cashier. She had her lips inside out. Is it for kissing?

Me: ~still facing forward. Still driving. Now with wider eyes.~ umm. No, God made us all different. That's the way God made her.

AB: ~sits quietly for a minute~ I wonder why He made her with her lips inside out. That wasn't very nice.


Hubster better get ready, because I'm sending AB to him with all these questions and the harder ones that arise.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Come hither, strong GI Joe. Save me!!

When I was little, my mom used to have to bribe me to play with dolls. I disliked dolls. Muchly.
Dolls scare me. I have only two dolls in my house. My first doll that I ever got, when I was five. And a porcelain doll that my mom gave me several years ago.

My poor mom. She had two boys and me. A tomboy. I would rather climb trees and run barefoot through the sticker patch than carry dolls around and have tea parties.

She would have to bribe me with books. I love to read. Even at a young age, I enjoyed it. Reading is a gateway to different experiences.

Anyway, mom would tell me that if I would play dolls for a certain amount of time, she would get me a new book. As much as I hated playing with the dolls, I did it for the new book.

So now that my boys are older, they still play with Lego's, but now they play with action figures.

DOLLS!!!!

Not having girls, I thought I wouldn't have to worry about playing with dolls. Boy was I ever wrong. What does it matter if these 'action figures' are manly with guns and ammo. They are still dolls.

The boys bring me these dolls to play with them. I make excuses because I just don't want to play with them. I know, mean mom. Whatever!!

So here are the boys 'action figures' that have kept them busy and entertained.

Here we have some small action figures. All with different jobs for the task at hand.
Skeleton guy takes a breather because he does have a cast you know. He's actually thinking of how to kill muscle man in front of him who just wants to show off doing push-ups.


Here is a guy driving the fast motorcycle while his partner seems to be falling off the back.

Here is a big GI Joe, or Tom Selleck GI Joe(according to my brother in law)




This poor guy has lost his boots. Nothing like trying to keep up when you have no shoes. At least he's wearing pants. I think yesterday his pants were off.




This guy is getting ready to shoot all the bad guys trying to get his friends.





Here are his friends climbing the tower. Trying to get away from the bad guys. Strong aren't they?





"Hurry guys, climb to the top, I see tortillas and tacos up there."









Monday, January 5, 2009

My new favorite game, Wii Fit!

The boys got a Wii for Christmas. I almost thought we weren't going to be getting one but Santa came through.

They got the Nerf game and I've been playing that one. It sure is fun to shoot the targets and unlock new guns.

So I still had some Christmas cash left over for me and I went and bought me a Wii Fit. But you never would know that I got it for me. Those boys, especially AB, think it's all for them.

They want to play non-stop on the Wii Fit. Today I did set a limit because school is back on and it sure makes it a great bribery tool to motivate with. Whaaaa haaa haaa haaa.

Not that I would do that. Whatever. Like you all wouldn't do that either.

Anyway, this Wii Fit thingy is scary. It tells you what your BMI is. The other day it told me that I was normal and then yesterday it told me that I had gained 3 lbs in a day and now I was overweight.

The boys thought that was funny. Especially when the mii character showed a little belly.

Then this machine asked me if I knew why I had gained this weight? Was I snacking too much? Lack of exercise? Good grief machine. Make me feel worse than what I do will you?

It is fun and makes you work hard. AB's goal is to unlock everything. Which he has almost succeeded.

I think the super hula is fun. Where else but through a mii can I hula 5 hoops. Very cool!!!

Maybe I'll just go exercise on this machine and it will whip me in shape.

It's my turn now on the Wii Fit, so I'll talk to y'all tomorrow.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

3/4 of a year in pictures

My internet is acting up and I wanted to post this as it is the 1st day of January and didn't want to start off not posting anything. So I'll just start with April.

April:
Friends
May:
AB playing Coach Pitch

UB playing T-ball


Cool clouds
June:
Big fat toads





Crazy times





Silly times








July:
More baby cliff swallows





Mission trip to Ecuador



August:
Hummingbird


UB starting Kindergarten




AB starting Second Grade





September:
UFO according to the boys



2nd scorpion that stung AB




October:
Must have these red converse



fun times at pumpkin patch


November:
Missing two front teeth



slick hairstyle





December:
Posing at the Japanese Gardens



God's beautiful artwork























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