Moving Torture Chamber

Another typical get off late from work, still have to get the kids and feed them nights. We're talking 8:00pm and we still have to make it home to get into jammies and hope I can brush their teeth. Of course, the great mom that I am, decides to go through one of my local drive thrus.


Hmm, which high fat, high calorie fast food joint to go to?


This time the kids and I go through a Wendy's. The kids will eat the same french fries and nuggets, regardless of which place I decide to tempt their culinary palates.



Mama: Can I get a 5 piece nugget and medium french fries, please?


Wendy's man: blah blah nuggets...static....french fries (sounding like the teacher from the Snoopy cartoons) Is there anything else?


Mama: No, that will be it. Thank you.



I pay, grab the bag, and drive off. I stick my hand into the bag to make sure the food isn't molten lava hot and hand the bag to Princess Ninja (the 3 year old).



Mama: Give your brother a nugget, please.


Princess Ninja: Wow, the nuggets are so red.

Mama: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Give your brother a nugget, he's hungry.



I assumed at this point, she gives Chubs a nugget. He is quiet and I can see the silhouette of him chewing from the rear view mirror. Finally, silence as we drive off into the sunset. Oh wait, the sunset hours ago. It's pitch dark now!



Ahh, one thing checked off the to-do list. Only a million more things to do before I can call it a night. At least, the kids are fed.

Princess Ninja: I don't want any of these nuggets!

Mama: Fine, just eat the french fries. (as I grab little carton of nuggets)

Chubs: (screaming bloody murder at the top of his lungs like someone attacked him)

Mama: What's wrong? (I'm trying to look in the rear view, turn my head. Anything to get a look to see what's causing this terrible sound)

I catch a glimpse of the nugget carton to see they were orangey-red. They gave me hot and spicy chicken nuggets!!!!

Mental note: The next time Princess Ninja makes a comment, pay attention!!!!

Simple Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie

I've been on a kefir kick lately (the last few months). I've been reading more and more benefits to drinking it. For those of you who are unfamiliar with kefir here is a brief description of it.

Easily digested, it cleanses the intestines, provides beneficial bacteria and yeast, vitamins and minerals, and complete proteins.

The regular use of kefir can help relieve all intestinal disorders, promote bowel movement, reduce flatulence and create a healthier digestive system. In addition, its cleansing effect on the whole body helps to establish a balanced inner ecosystem for optimum health and longevity.

Kefir can also help eliminate unhealthy food cravings by making the body more nourished and balanced. Its excellent nutritional content offers healing and health-maintenance benefits to people in every type of condition.

The above was taken from http://www.kefir.net/ for those of you who want to read more. I'm sure there are a million other articles out there for you to Google your little heart out.

Seriously who couldn't benefit from an increased bowel movement? (small childish smirk across my face).

I try to eat healthy. Don't get me wrong, I consume my share of oh so delicious cupcakes and yummy salty french fries. I mean life is short, so I have to try and enjoy it. I know I'm probably cutting my life even shorter by consuming large quantities of junk food. I do try to balance it out. Instead of reaching for that chocolate chip cookie, I've been making myself kefir smoothies. No blender required....meaning no need to wake the kids during those midnight snack cravings. I thought I'd share it with you guys.

For about an 8 oz or so serving:

Fill 1/4 of the glass with strawberry kefir and the other 3/4 of the glass fill with chocolate soy milk (my favorite is Silk). Mix with a spoon and enjoy.

It reminds me of a chocolate dipped strawberry in liquid form. I just had a glass! My kids enjoy it too!

FYI: I'm not a dietitian, nutritionist, or an expert in any way, shape or form as far as healthy eating. It just tastes yummy, so I thought I'd share it.

Emergency food

I'm glad it's Friday! After a 50+ hour work week, I'm afraid I have not gone grocery shopping. We are scraping to figure out what to eat. It's times like this I have my go-to items. One of them is Bertolli Frozen Meals. They even have some that cook in 10 mins. Accompany them with some Texas Toast (cooks in toaster oven) and maybe a salad (if we actually have vegetables) and you have yourself a meal.

I must warn you that I could probably eat an entire bag of these frozen meals myself. Depending how many mouths you have to feed and how large their appetites are, you may have to cook a few of these bags. When there's no food around and you have hungry mouths to feed, it's quick, easy and a no brainer. Plus, you can store a few bags in the freezer.

Another staple I have around for the kids are the Gerber Graduates for Toddlers: Pasta Pick-ups. These cook 25 seconds! My kids enjoy them.