A Completely Different Birthday

Thank you for the birthday wishes! After I posted yesterday my mood picked up. How could it not have when my birthday cake looked like this: I did request sprinkles. It was definitely a different birthday this year. Check out last year's post! Last year This year Crazy huh? Squirrelly was so little. And little buddy was soooo tiny... Maybe 2 months old haha! The husband was in Haiti... Can you believe that happened a year ago? Now our family is complete. The husband was home this morning so he made breakfast. Do you see what I have to deal with? How can I stay healthy when he's around? This is a fried egg, one slice of bacon, laughing cow cheese, on toast. It's not that bad.... Lunch was one of my favorites! I combined these two: One cup of rice, one cup of steamed edamame. Tonight for dinner I'm using my birthday present from my mom and dad. A George Foreman! WHOO HOO! Can't wait to try a bunch of stuff on it! Would your birthday this year be different from last?

Birthday?

Happy birthday to me. Good grief. Having two children has really made it feel like just another day. Today has been long so I'm thankful we had such a great weekend. We spent most of the weekend doing this: Plus there was cake in all forms: (Coconut lime cupcakes) (The best ever coconut cake) This morning I had a slice of my mom's banana bread for breakfast. She makes the best banana bread. It's been raining since Saturday so we vegged out today. Lunch had remnants of our weekend. We had some BBQ beans leftover so I used them for a sweet potato topping. Plus I added a little more BBQ sauce. I love the beans and sweet potato. Yum! Not sure if it's the weather or the lack of squirrel's nap today but I'm in a weird mood. My kiddos have been sick from the gym kidcare but seem to be better now. I think I'll be headed there in the morning. I need a mood booster...

Natures Way Farm Tour

On Saturday the husband and I took the kiddos to Natures Way Farm.


I signed us up through our local co-op. It is right near our house and I love the whole concept of the farm. Farm made goat cheese, honey, fresh seafood...

It's a tiny farm (compared to most) of just 3 acres.


There were 13 baby goats for squirrel to harass play with.


And she did just that...


And so did little buddy...


Since it was sponsored by the co-op they provided lots of organic goodies!


I tried a new KIND bar. It was weird. Not sure if I like all the sesame seeds in it.


We loved this place. My first impression was that the owners were excited to have visitors. That's always a good thing. And the animals were HAPPY.


The owners new their products. They were informative about the animals, goat milk, honey, shellfish...

Did you know goats love snacking on pine needles?

We learned why goat cheese can taste "goaty" and that eating local honey can help your allergies.

Squirrel definitely bonded with the goats.


Can you believe her Daddy said she can't have one?!

She's a little goat whisperer.


And little buddy is a goat whisperer in training...


Even the husband loved the goats.



So after our farm tour we ended up with honey sticks:


Regular goat cheese:


And roasted red pepper goat cheese.


And this is the one we took home!


HAHA. NOT.

Button Masher/People Watcher

Yes, I am a button masher. A masher of the treadmill button.

Yes, I am a people watcher. If you are walking through the gym I'll be staring at you.

You know what all this means right? I'm back at the gym! I've taken the kiddos to the gym twice for about 20 minutes at a time to get them adjusted. They've done ok. Squirrelly cries and yesterday she told me she "Lost her Mommy". Poor kid. Little buddy could care less. Whatever mom.

So since they are getting adjusted I've just been hopping on the dreadmill. Good grief I get bored. I really am a button masher. Incline up, speed down, speed up, incline down... I must drive the people around me crazy.

I've mastered texting while running, making a gossip magazine last the entire 30 minutes, and going through my whole ipod in 5 minutes. And yes I'm the creepo on the treadmill watching you. I just don't have anything else to do.

Next week I'm hoping to get back into the classes. I can't wait!

I got brave today and hopped on the scale. It wasnt as bad as I thought. I've got 15lbs to lose.

I'm back at the gym and my eating is much much cleaner. Check it out:

Before the gym was an ogre. Spinach, frozen banana, almond butter, almond milk, and ice. I drank it in a wine glass... Because I'm missing wine oh so much.

Then added the straw to be real classy haha.


After the gym I had breakfast... My eating schedule was a little weird. Ogre at 7, breakfast at 10... Lunch at 2... Who knows about dinner.

I went back to a basic:


French Onion Laughing Cow. I've found out I don't like any of the other flavors as much.

So for breakfast was egg, honey ham, laughing cow on a sandwich thin. Plus a half a quarter no pear thanks to the squirrel.


And for lunch was an Amy's veggie burger with a scoop of Sabra hummus and roasted brussels sprouts. One of my favorite meals ever.


Well I've got some blog reading to do... Check out these blackmail pictures:



Those are keepers!

Any of you NOT get bored on the treadmill?

Date Night (At Home)

Mushrooms are one of those foods I've had to learn to like. Fish, green peppers, and sweet potatoes are others...

I am still learning to like them. They have an odd flavor and their texture to me is very unappealing.

My new way to eat them is actually on pizza. If we order pizza I want chicken and mushroom. So last night I decided to make my own.

I started with the chicken. I simmered 3 chicken breasts in chicken stock and italian seasoning.

It simmered on low for an hour. Then I added a splash of white wine and the mushrooms.

I made this yesterday during the day.

My children for some reason seem to melt down around 4:30-5:00 everyday. It's like clockwork. So try doing something creative in the kitchen when you've got 2 screaming, unhappy kids. Not fun.

I do 99% of every dinner in the morning. Whatever I can. Whether its throw it in the crockpot, grate cheese, start bread to rise... It's just the best time for me. Plus it's less dishes to wash when you are already tired.

For our pizza I made the crust from this book:

My husband loves this book. Maybe we were both Italians in some past life.

The dough is simple.


While the pizza baked I snacked on more pistachios. For real guys... You've got to go in the cupboard.


They are really good with wine...


So for the pizza we did chicken, mushroom, spinach, marinara, mozz, and parm. I forgot to rub the crust with garlic. BIG mistake. This is so so so important. It makes the pizza WAY more better.

We did do a quarter of it just cheese for squirrelly. She likes the other toppings but she doesn't have the "bite and hold the toppings on with your other hand" skill mastered.


The crust turned out amazing. Definitely the recipe I've been searching for.


I may have had one, or two, or possibly three pieces... Who's counting?


The squirrel ended up at Nana's so the husband and I watched Morning Glory. We did some serious damage on the pizza....


And the wine...

No we didn't drink 3 bottles... Maybe just 2

And since I didn't have enough calories in me I had a scoop of frozen yogurt with chocolate syrup, mini chocolate chips and a sprinkle of butterscotch chips.


I definitely needed my coffee this morning.


Everyone was sleeping when I woke up so I got to make my breakfast in peace and quiet.


Muesli, banana, water, milk, almond butter.


Oh oatmeal... Why can't you and I get along? I really want to like you...

I hate oatmeal.


I won't overwhelm you with anymore pictures today... I'll just do it tomorrow!