Wii Fit and Me

I recently decided to commit to myself to getting in better shape. I'm not really overweight, but I noticed that I'm not in the best physical shape I could be in. So, with the help of Wii Fit, I've been trying to change that. For endurance, I'll stick with the cardio from my elliptical machine, but cardio alone doesn't build muscle tone. I tried going to a boot camp class at a gym, but it was too far away and I couldn't stay motivated to keep it up. So everyday for 1 hour I workout in the comfort of my living room with my Mii. I've developed quite an affection for my workout time. The way the exercises are designed, they are really fun to do, so getting in shape doesn't feel like such a chore. Yet often I wake up the next morning with a few sore muscles, so I know that I'm getting a good workout. And after exercising with Wii Fit, I get a good boost of 'feel good' energy. This is something that I've heard plenty about but rarely experienced. Regular cardio just makes me worn out, and boot camp made me sweaty, tired, and sore. So, if you've been thinking about jump starting a little exercise routine, I highly recommend you commandeer the kiddo's Wii for a little bit each day and give your Mii a workout with Wii Fit.

Candy Pumpkin Faces

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Create a ghoulish Halloween candy face with a variety of candy, but be sure to warn children not to eat the candy on the face. Perfect for little ones who are too young to carve yet.

Tools and Materials:
Good & Plenty
Miniature marshmallows
Twizzler licorice bites (Black)
Gummy teeth
Licorice wheels
Candy corn
Neapolitan licorice
Ball pins
Glass canisters
Scissors
Small pumpkin

Halloween-Candy Face How-To
1. Secure the candy to the pumpkin with ball pins that match the color of the treats so they aren't too noticeable. Tip: Chewy candy is easier to bend and snip.

2. Place pumpkin on glass canisters or reuse large glass jars for candy.

Resources
The glass canisters we used in this segment can be found at the Container Store.

From The Martha Stewart Show:

http://www.marthastewart.com:80/article/pumpkin-candy-faces

Veggie Cheese Enchiladas

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion
• Salt
• 12 ounces mushrooms, quartered
• 3 cups salsa, store-bought or home-made
• 6 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  
• 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• Sour cream and avocado for serving (optional)
  

Directions

Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and season well with salt. Cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring rarely until browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, add 1/2 cup of the salsa and mix until well combined.

Heat the oven to 375 degrees F and arrange a rack in the middle. Wrap the tortillas in damp paper towels or in a microwave-safe plastic bag and microwave until soft and heated through, about 45 seconds.

Spread half of the remaining salsa in the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish. To make an enchilada, put 2 tablespoons of the mushroom mixture and 1 tablespoon cheese in the middle of a tortilla. Roll up and arrange, seam side down, in the prepared dish. Repeat to make 12 enchiladas.

Cover the enchiladas with the remaining salsa and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until the filling is heated through, cheese is melted and starts to brown, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and serve with sour cream and avocado.

My son is not a big mushroom fan, but he loved these! A great way to get your kids to eat their veggies. I'm thinking about trying green peppers next time, maybe a little garlic for fun. I topped mine and my husband's with some jalapeno peppers but left those off the kiddo's. Super delish!

No Crust Mini Quiche

Ingredients:
1/2 cup chopped, cooked broccoli
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
butter for greasing tins
5 eggs
8 ounces milk

Divide veggies and cheese into two buttered 12 cup nonstick mini muffin tins. Combine eggs and milk, season with salt and pepper, then pour mixture into tins. Bake at 350 degrees until browned and puffy, about 15 minutes

Homemade Macaroni & Cheese

I think this is just about the best homemade Mac N Cheese ever! That blue box stuff almost ruined Macaroni and Cheese for me for life until I had some good stuff at a restaurant. It was like gourmet Macaroni and Cheese, no joke. So we went looking for a recipe that would do the humble dish some justice. Now when I have a little extra time to make dinner, and I'm searching out comfort food, I bake this (modified from a Barefoot Contessa recipe). What is your favorite comfort food?

Ingredients:

• salt
• Vegetable oil
• 1 pound elbow macaroni
  
• 1 quart milk
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
  
• 8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups prepared bread crumbs (I use Panko)
  

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.
Makes enough to feed my family for two meals.

To Buy Organic Produce?

Sometimes it's difficult to know whether you should really spend the extra dollars for organic produce, especially when the selection is poor. But according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) there are 12 foods that should be purchased as organic because they are prone to contamination with pesticides.
These are:
peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach, lettuce and potatoes.

They also have a list of 12 other foods that are not so necessary to purchase organics because they regularly don't have any detectable pesticide residues.
These are:
onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, mangoes, asparagus, sweet peas, kiwi, bananas, cabbage, broccoli, and papaya.

Good info to keep in mind if your market doesn't have a large selection of organic produce, or if you're trying to keep your bill down. I recently found an organic head of lettuce that was hydroponically grown, and came in a cool package that included the roots for longer lettuce life. Aside from how cool it looked, though, it didn't taste very good and was very limp. So, I guess the taste factor is another consideration!

Staying on Track While Working at Home

Working from home is such a blessing to me. I am home whenever my family needs me, and I can work around my son's schedule. Sometimes that means working really early or late, but that flexibility is priceless. However, it's not without its...distractions! Here are a few tips to staying on track:

*Making Lists: Write it down! Make a list of your goals, chores or task for each day. This will help you stay focused. As you complete each task, cross it off the list! Seeing all the things you've accomplished can help you feel like you've met your goals and help motivate you for the next day.

*Don't procrastinate: Avoiding an unpleasant chore or job does not help you reach your goal. In order to stay motivated, you must work on that job to finish it. If you procrastinate you may feel rushed at the last minute. Just get it done, and move on to something more fun.

*Exercise: A good, brisk walk around the block or a run on the treadmill can help clear your mind and think well during the day. Yoga, pilates, whatever you enjoy. Exercising can give you energy, too. You will feel better and be more ready to tackle your list.

*Eat right: Eating right can also help you stay motivated. Junk food can make you feel sluggish and all you will really want to do is take an afternoon nap. Eat a healthy breakfast and drink plenty of water. Vitamin supplements can also help keep you energized throughout the day. (Ask me about some great ones!)

*Do not stress: Putting yourself under stress each and every day is not healthy, nor will it inspire you. Stress can put you in a greater danger for depression and other health issues.

*Get enough rest: Moms know that sometimes sleep is hard to come by, especially when you are taking care of infants or sick children. Sleep and adequate rest is important, though. With a good night's sleep, you will feel more energized and motivated throughout the day. If you cannot seem to get the sleep you need at night, try to rest during the day while the kids are napping or try to take a quick rest during your lunch break.

*Reward yourself: Rewards can be a huge motivator! Even if you reward yourself with a new book, trip to the library, or thirty minutes of quiet time, you will be more likely to reach your goals with rewards. I especially like to take time for a facial mask, one of my favorite TV shows, or even that fantastic pair of shoes I've been eyeing.

Using Tea Tree Oil

*Note: This article does not replace medical advise.

Tea Tree Oil or Melaleuca Oil is an essential oil with a fresh, camphoraceous odor. It is taken from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia treewhich is native to the northeast coast of New South Wales, Australia. The oil has beneficial medicinal properties (including antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial action), and is also believed to have beneficial cosmetic properties. Tea tree oil is usually used diluted, as reactions are common with pure tea tree oil.

20 great ways to use Tea Tree Oil (or Melaleuca Oil)

For Health

1. Use a dab to treat acne.
2. An anti-fungal for treating Athlete’s Foot, eczema, various yeast infections, etc.
3. An antiseptic to be used on cuts and burns.
4. An anti-viral: it may lessen the symptoms of colds and flu. Try using a few drops in the bath.
5. Add to a vaporizer to loosen chest congestion.
6. Add a small amount to shampoo to destroy head lice.
7. A small amount added to your bath can help with persistent body odor.
8. Treating sinus infection.
9. For dandruff and itchy, dry scalp.
10. In the form of aromatherapy, tea tree oil is used to treat colds, persistent coughs, acne, toothaches, and sunburn.

For Cleaning

11. To create an all-purpose cleaner, combine 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.
12. Another version would be 14 ounces of water with 1 ounce of Murphy’s oil soap and 10 drops of tea tree oil.
13. Mix the above solution with kosher salt to scrub bathtub and bathroom tiles.
14. Add a few drops to dishwasher dispenser, then fill with a green dishwashing soap.
15. A few drops added to each load of laundry leave your clothes smelling cleaner.
16. Control mold with a tea tree oil/water spray.
17. Remove mustiness with that same tea tree oil/water spray.
18. To keep germs at bay, spray it on high chairs, car seats, and other high traffic spots.
19. 15 drops in a quart of water can be an effective insect repellent.
20. Be sure to take some with you when hiking and camping to put directly on insect bites or blisters.

Reference: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/tea-oil-nature-noncrude.html

Wordless Wednesday

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There's lots of great information on their website including: patient assistance, disease information, and breast cancer in the news. You can also find a mammography center near you. Some of the info from their site:
Did you know?
~Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, aside from skin cancer.
~According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States this year.
~Today, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States.
~Not all breast cancers are alike - there are different stages of breast cancer based on the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread.

For more info and resources, check out the site here: http://www.nbcam.org/

Fantastic Foods--You are what you Eat?

The right foods can help you feel good and look good, too! Check these out:

*Walnuts--high in antioxidants, essential fatty acids. Beneficial for heart and inflammatory skin conditions

*Green apples--probiotic and improve digestions. Pectin helps cholesterol levels

*Kiwi--seeds are high in alpha linoleic acid (essential fatty acid) great for cardiovascular health

*Carrots--high in beta-carotene, and fiber helps stimulate digestion

*Coconut oil--high in lauric acid, a fatty acid with antibacterial properties. Helps balance metabolism, repair liver. Also for skin, has moisturizing properties.

*Ginger--warming, great for digestion and nausea. Natural decongestant.

Of course, none of this information is intended to diagnose or treat any illness, or replace your doctor's advice!

Back to School Jitters

Kids have been back in school for weeks. Most have adjusted to new teachers, class work and classmates. But many children aren’t adapting and may be developing school anxiety, which can thwart academic and social development. If your child is already struggling in school it is important to take action quickly to ease the anxiety, and to help him or her thrive in school.

School Anxiety

School anxiety can hit at any age and in any grade. Reasons for school anxiety are varied and include: fears of separating from home and parents, social anxiety, bullying, learning problems, having an anxiety disorder such as panic disorder, and family problems such as divorce.

Here’s what to look for:

1. Your child begs to stay home on most school mornings
2. Complaints of stomachaches and headaches are frequent
3. Changes in mood are common such as irritability, anger, sadness, apprehension
4. Balks at doing homework or studying; does not participate in class
5. Withdraws socially; may have difficultly relating to classmates/teacher
6. Appetite and sleep problems, difficulty concentrating.

Taking Action

It is upsetting to watch your child suffer, and it may leave you feeling worried, helpless, frustrated, and angry. The steps to helping your anxious child include:

1. Stay calm—no matter what is happening you must remain calm. Your child is feeling scared and out of control and needs you to take control of the situation to be a “rock.”
2. Communicate—talk to your child about how they feel about school, what might be happening to make them upset. Listen without judging what your child is saying.
3. Problem-solve and Support—say to your child, “Together we are going to figure out how to make things better for you. I’m here for you.”
4. Contact the School—meet with your child’s teacher and guidance counselor to create a plan of action. Listen to the teacher’s suggestions, but also advocate for your child if you think he needs exemptions until he can adjust.
5. Believe—believe in your child’s ability to overcome adversity, and your parenting skills to help your child succeed.

If symptoms persist see your family physician and mental health clinician. Remember, school anxiety is treatable.

Diane Peters Mayer. MSW, a psychotherapist who specializes in working with children and adults who have anxiety attacks, school anxiety, and panic attacks. She is the author of Overcoming School Anxiety: How to Help Your Child Deal With Separation, Tests, Homework, Bullies, Math Phobia, and Other Worries.

Reference: http://247moms.blogspot.com/2009/09/when-back-to-school-jitters-turn.html

How's the school year going for your kiddos so far? My son has had some setbacks, so he's feeling the anxiety right now. I'm going to use some of these tips to hopefully help him out.

Home Depot's Kid Workshops

Home Depot has FREE "How To Clinics" for Kids at all locations the first Saturday of every month from 9am to Noon. They are designed for kids age 5- 12 . This Saturday's workshop is this great firehouse bank. Fun to make and fun to watch your money grow!

In addition to bringing home the newly constructed project, your child will all receive a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates’ aprons, and an achievement pin.

What a fun way to get your kids crafting this fall, build something the whole family can enjoy, while building their self esteem. And it's FREE! All the while teaching them to save money. Check on upcoming workshops at their website: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?catalogId=&langId=-1&pn=Kids_Workshops&storeId=10051

Today I will Make a Difference

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start anyone can start and make a brand new end." Author: Carl Bard
Today I Will Make A Difference
I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark.
Today I will make a difference.
I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving.
Today I will make a difference.
I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It's OK to stumble...I will get up. It's OK to fail...I will rise again.
Today I will make a difference.
Max Lucadot (Tyndale Publishing, 1985)

Tips for Visiting our National Parks

Great tips from the Sierra Club:

* Visit the parks on Fee-Free Weekends to avoid paying entrance and parking fees

* Many national parks never charge an entrance fee.

* If you are planning to visit multiple parks within a year, look into National Park Passes. Not only do you save money on park entrance fees but, at many of the busiest parks, the pass lets you join a shorter line at the entrance station.

* Travel with senior citizens. Anyone over age 62 can pay a one-time $10 fee to get an America the Beautiful Senior Pass (previously called the Golden Age pass), which gets your entire carload in for free to every park.

* Get into all parks for free for one year by obtaining a Volunteer Pass. The pass is for volunteers acquiring 500 service hours on a cumulative basis.

Transportation

* Save money on gas and parking fees by carpooling to the park.

* If you belong to an organizations such AAA, Better World Club, or AARP, you can get discounts on transportation and accommodation services.

* Look for travel deals and vacation packages on websites like Travel Muse or Budget Travel.

* Conserve fuel and avoid parking hassles by using the free, eco-friendly park shuttles.

* Fill up your gas tank before arriving in the parks, where gas stations are expensive, hard to find, and sometimes completely sold out.

Lodging

* Plan ahead, especially if you're going to one of the popular, big-ticket parks. Campground reservations and wilderness permits for parks like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone can fill up months ahead of time. Reserve here.

* All parks offer first-come, first-served campgrounds, but you still might be disappointed when you arrive, so have a backup plan. Be sure to show up at first-come, first-served campgrounds between 10 am and noon, just as last night's campers are vacating sites. Campgrounds in less-popular areas of the park, especially those accessible only by dirt roads, tend to fill up last and be more peaceful. If all else fails, camping may be allowed on national forest lands outside a few parks.

* Look out for early-bird specials! Frequently, the parks and towns nearby offer discounts to travelers willing to visit in the early months of the year.

Gear

* Bring everything you need. Necessities like batteries, sunscreen, and bug spray are more expensive in and around national parks.

* Look for used-gear sales in the spring and fall, when larger outdoor gear companies sell returned and rental gear.

* Try renting gear, especially if you are new to camping/hiking and aren't sure if you're ready to invest a lot of money in the activity yet.

* Sign up on Freecycle in your area (it's all free!) and watch for folks giving away outdoor gear -- or, post a request for what you need.

Activities

* Get the biggest bang for your buck by going for a hike with a ranger. Campfire programs and nature walks are a great way to learn some history and science about what you're seeing.

* If hiking or camping aren't for you, try having a picnic, painting, or photographing the park, having a scavenger hunt with a guidebook, doing yoga or meditation, or reading a book while enjoying your beautiful surroundings.

Avoiding Crowds

* Visit in the off-season (fall through early spring) or visit on business days rather than weekends.

* Consider visiting second-tier parks that share some of the same natural features as the most popular parks. For example, instead of fighting the crowds in Yosemite Valley, visit nearby Kings Canyon. If you do visit a superstar park, base yourself in a less-popular area -- for example, the north rim of the Grand Canyon instead of the busy south rim.

* Travel against the grain by driving a park's popular scenic loops in reverse. Start your day early or late so that you miss most of the day-tripper crowds, which peak between 10 am and 4 pm. Remember that getting from place to place may take longer than you think, especially with summer road-construction delays.

reference: http://www.sierraclub.org/parks/tips.aspx

The Truth About Failure

The truth about failure...

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Truth About Failure (from www.berro.com) via Tumblr justbesplendid

* Failure doesn’t mean you are a failure… …it does mean you haven’t succeeded yet.
* Failure doesn’t mean you don’t have it… …it does mean you have to do something in a different way.
* Failure doesn’t mean you are inferior… …it does mean you are not perfect.
* Failure doesn’t mean you’ve wasted your life… …it does mean you’ve a reason to start afresh.
* Failure doesn’t mean you should give up… …it does mean you should try harder.
* Failure doesn’t mean you’ll never make it… …it does mean it will take a little longer.
* Failure doesn’t mean you have been a fool… …it does mean you had a lot of faith.
* Failure doesn’t mean you have been disgraced… …it does mean you were willing to try.
* Failure doesn’t mean you have accomplished nothing… …it does mean you have learned something.

Pumpkin Cupcakes

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted & cooled slightly
1 cup sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin
3 large eggs

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 12 muffin tin openings with paper liners. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves,and ginger into a medium bowl & set aside.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on med-low, beat the melted butter, sugar, and pumpkin until smoothly blended. Mix in the eggs. On low speed, mix in the flour mixture until it's incorporated. The batter will be thick.
Fill each paper liner with a generous 1/4 cup of batter, to about 1/2 in. below the top. Bake until toothpick comes clean, about 25 mins. Cool completely before frosting.
These turned out sooo yummy!!