Holiday Shopping Ideas

Hi everyone!

Its been a long time. I started working again and needless to say time is scarce.

I know its crazy to think but hoilday season is fastly approaching and I wanted to share some holiday shopping ideas I think you will enjoy!!!

http://besttoysguide.com/featured/20-hot-toys-christmas-2010

http://animalcrazekids.com/default.aspx

Christmas 2009

Hope everyone is well!

I will give an post update on my family and post pictures soon!



Read more...

Back to Life, Back to Reality....

Well, the kids are back in school and we are back to a routine! Hope everyone has survived the crazy month of August. It's so exhausting mentally, physically and financially ! All you moms with school age kids know what I mean. 

I found these fun printables today, thought I would share them. If you're like me you need all the organization help you can get! 

 http://familyfun.go.com/back-to-school/back-to-school-printables/printable-organizing-tools/

Read more...

That time of year again....

Summer is flying by! Tonight is my sons last baseball game. I just can't believe it, Already? I will have two kids in full day school and my baby is crawling and pulling himself up on anything he can.

School supplies are everywhere, and yesterday I went to Costco and saw Halloween decorations. Unbelievable! I knew this morning it was about time for school to start because the kids were doing nothing but fighting, and at 2 this afternoon I was dreaming of a glass of wine, while singing its 5'0clock somewhere!

I do love the season changes we get here in Colorado, and by the time fall actually arrives I will be more than ready to say goodbye to 95 degree days, and hello to sweaters, pumpkins and chai lattes. But I am always sad to say goodbye to another summer. So here's to the last few weeks before we head back to school.

Cheers!

Read more...

Shutterfly Summer Freedom Contest.

Shutterfly is doing a photo contest!

You enter your favorite summer photos

that show what summer means to you!

Here are some favorite summer photos I've taken this year!

Read more...

More on Parks

A couple weeks ago I shared with you an article on Best Denver Parks.

Recently I went with some girlfriends and our kiddos to two great parks!

The first one was Westlands Park off Quebec and Orchard.

We has a great time. Lots of shade, great play area, tree house and even a spray park!

I have some picture to share!

Another great park we visited was Civic Park.

We went over to the fountains which are between the Zoo and the DMNS. We couldn't see them from the car, you have to get out and walk to them. The fountains turn on at 11. Kids had a great time splashing around. We enjoyed the beautiful view of the city!

Read more...

Sausage Rolls

Ingredients

4 Italian Sausage links (I always use Caninos)

8 slices of provolone or mozzarella cheese cut into squares

1  package refrigerated Pillsbury crescent roll dough

1 jar whole hatch green chilies drained and patted dry

Directions

In a crock pot cook Italian sausage in 3 cups water  for 3-5 hours until tender.

Once sausage is tender Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Remove Italian Sausage from crock pot dry off and cut each link in half.  

Separate dough into triangles. Place cheese squares on each triangle, top with half a of green chili. Wrap dough triangle around each sausage link. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven until rolls are brown, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Read more...

Best Parks In and Around Denver

I said I was going to have a simple, yet fun summer and that is just what we have been doing, and as usual summer is flying by! I wanted to share an article a girlfriend had sent to me.

Its been so helpful when looking for a fun place to play or have a picnic.

A few weeks ago I met a friend and her three kids at westlands park and what a great park it was.

Check out the list below!

Have fun!

http://guide.denverpost.com/lists/great-playgrounds/

Read more...

Easy Father's Day Craft!

For Father's Day my kids wanted to draw their dad a picture of themselves. I found a head template

HERE . I trace this onto cardboard, cut it out, and had the kids trace the head onto construction paper. Then they turned the head into their head and wrote a message to their dad.

I think they turned out cute. My kids were very proud of their work!

Happy Father's Day Weekend Everyone.

Lots of Love to all the dads out there!

Read more...

Simple Summer

Today is our first day of summer so this morning over my coffee, before my three kids were up, I was thinking about what we are going to do for two months? I was in visioning the perfect summer and what I realized was that I want a simple summer. A summer with as little scheduled activities as possible, and just some good old fashioned summer fun! You know the summer you remember as a kid. A summer full of Popsicles, swimming, water fights, bubbles, bike rides, parks, and picnics. All the great things that make summer, summer. So this year we are going to have a good old fashioned SIMPLE SUMMER!

Today to kick off our simple summer

~We signed up for a summer reading program at the library. Yes the library! The good old fashioned library! Simple fun I said.

~Got out the baby pool, squirt guns and pool toys. At ages 7, 5, and 6 months it's amazing how much fun kids have with water!

Will post more simple summer fun ideas as we enjoy our summer vacation!

Read more...

Beat the Heat Take Your Kids to the Movies

Sometimes you just need a break!

This is a great and inexpensive activity for you and your kids.

Check out the list of movie theaters in your area

that participate in Summer Movie Programs!

http://www.squidoo.com/free-summer-movies-for-kids

Happy Summer Everyone!

Read more...

Chicken & Cilantro Chimichurri & Corn Salsa

 4 chicken breasts trimmed and pounded thin

1 envelope taco seasoning

3 cups fresh cilantro

1 large garlic clove

1/4 cup lime juice

1/3 cup olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

In large Ziploc bag mix chicken with taco seasoning. Chill for 2 hours.

Meanwhile, in a food processor puree

cilantro, garlic, lime juice, olive oil and salt,

until you have a thick sauce.  

For Black Bean Corn Salsa

1 can, 14 ounces, black beans, rinsed and drained

2 cups frozen corn kernels defrosted

1 red onion chopped

1 teaspoons ground cumin

3-4 fresh jalapenos chopped and seeded

1 cup fresh cilantro chopped

1 lime, juiced

1 tsp Salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Grill Chicken until cooked through.

Slice Cooked chicken thin, top with Chimichurri Sauce.

Serve with black bean salsa and Cheese quesadillas.

Read more...

Farmer Markets are coming to Town!!!

My family and I love taking advantage of the great deals and wonderful produce and products farmers markets have to offer. Finally, it's that time of year again! Farmers markets will be setting up within your communities. For those of you living in Colorado I thought you would find this link as helpful as I did. Offering locations and times of your local Farmers Markets!
Have fun shopping :)

http://www.ediblecommunities.com/frontrange/farmers-markets/farmers-markets.htm

Read more...

Turkey Bolognese Sauce

May 15, 2010

1 package HOT Jenni-o turkey sausage (casings removed)

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 28oz can Muir Glenn Diced Tomatoes with basil

1 15 oz can Italian tomatoes

2 carrots chopped

1 medium yellow onion chopped

1 celery stalk chopped

1 carton sliced mushroom

1 1/2 Tbsp crushed Garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp tomatoes paste

1/2 cup chicken broth

Brown Turkey sausage (without casing) , in 2 tbsp olive oil. Add onion, carrots, celery and some salt. Cook until meat is cooked and veggies are tender, breaking up sausage into little pieces. 

Add canned tomatoes, garlic, chicken broth, mushrooms, tomato paste, salt and pepper to taste.

Simmer on medium low heat for 30 minutes, stir occasionally. 

Serve over favorite pasta.

Read more...

A Tweet Tweet Here & A Tweet Tweet There.....

May 12, 2010

Now you can follow me on twitter!

Since it appears twitter is sticking around

I jumped on the bandwagon!

Come Follow me!

http://twitter.com/chicthoughts

Read more...

Lemon Cookies

May 11, 2010

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups Flour

1 Tsp Baking Soda

1 Tsp Cream of Tartar

3/4 cup Butter
1 1/2 cups Sugar

1 Egg

1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice

2 Tbsp Lemon Peel

1/4 Tsp Vanilla

Mix together flour, Baking soda, cream of tartar.
In separate bowl whip butter.
Add sugar to butter until mixed well. Add egg, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon peel.
Using your hands shape dough into a ball place in plastic bag
and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Roll dough into 1 inch balls. 

Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes. 

For Glaze

Mix

3/4 cup powdered sugar

with

3-4 tbsp lemon juice

Place about a 1/2 tsp of glaze on each cookie. 

(Makes about 2 dozen )

Delicious with coffee or hot tea :)  

Read more...

Slow Cooked Chipotle Pulled Pork Tacos

May 5, 2010

Happy Cinco De Mayo !!

3-4 pounds pork butt trimmed

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 Tbsp Crushed Garlic

1 Medium yellow onion

3-4 Chipotle peppers in adobe sauce

1 can low sodium chicken broth

2 cans Rotell

1/2 tsp cumin

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp oregano

1 package corn tortillas

Taco Toppings:

2 jalapenos, sliced into rings and seeded

1 red onion, roughly chopped

Corn tortillas, warmed

1 cup fresh cilantro leaves

1 lime, cut into wedges

Sour Cream

Diced Avocado

In food processor or blender blend one can of chicken broth

with 3-4 adobe pepper and 1 Tbsp crushed garlic. Generously season the pork butt
with salt and pepper. In 2 Tbsp Olive oil Brown the Pork well on all sides,
about 5 minutes per side; Place browned pork butt in slow cooker.
Cover Pork butt with Sliced yellow Onion, Rotell,
and Blended Chicken Broth with Adobe peppers chili powder, cumin, oregano and garlic.
Cook, covered, until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily,
on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 6 to 7 hours.

Drain most of liquid

Shred pork with fork.

Fill warmed tortillas with pork and desired toppings.

Serve with Black beans and Rice

Read more...

Trying to go more natural? ...

May 3, 2010

I am by NO means a health nut. However, after watching too many Oprah and Doctor Oz shows, I slowly stopped buying products with hydrogenated oils and dyes. I look for products that are more natural with less sugars. I was so shocked at all the crap that was in everyday things we ate. Especially in my kids snacks. After trial and error I have found products that my family and I love. My kids still enjoy the typical kids snacks, occasionally. I haven't banned anything, and when they are with friends or at other homes its inevitable. It's all about moderation, right?
Many of my girlfriends have asked me what I buy so here is a list of some of our favorites.

Here are our food staples that are dye free and have NO hydrogenated oils.

Cereals

Chex Cereal (rice or corn)

Kix or Kix with berries (target)

Peanut butter Bumpers (with organic cereals)

Kashi brown sugar oatmeal

Whole Grain Cheerios

Cascadian Farm Granolas

Bare Naked Granola Fit

Fruit Snacks

Fruit Leathers (Costco in bulk)

Cliff fruit twists

Annie fruit snacks

Snacks

Whole grain goldfish

Royal Gold Pretzels

Low fat popcorn

(CHECK POPCORN INGREDIENTS FOR COLORS (dyes) AND HYDROGENATED OILS

Newman's or natural are good brands. )

Sensible Portions Veggie Straws (at Costco like a chip)

Honey Sticks (Vitamin Cottage has fun flavors)

Annie bunny snacks

Grains

Ezekiel bread (I like the sesame one)

Udi breads (sunflower or sprouts)

Whole grain pastas

Rice pasta (target has them reasonable priced)

Brown Rice

Whole wheat tortillas ( check for hydrogenated oils on all tortillas)

Annie Boxed mac and cheese

Red Mill Pancake and waffle mix

Spaghetti Sauce

Classico tomato basil sauce

(least amount of sugar)

Spreads

Natural Almond Butter (Costco best price)

Natural Skippy Peanut Butter (target good price)

Honey

Fruit only jams

Bars

Cascadian Farm Granola bars(vanilla chip and choc chip YUM)

Nature Valley Oats and Honey granola bars

Cliff Bars

Frozen Meals

Mickey mouse chicken nuggets ( Costco)

Chicken veggie pot stickers ( Costco)

Alexia frozen french fries, sweet potatoes, tater tots

Kashi Frozen Waffles

Popsicles

"Just fruit" Popsicles

Natural Popsicles (sunflower)

Dairy

Blue Bell cheeses for snacks (Costco has bulk )

Organic String cheeses

Horizon Natural go-gurts

Greek Yogurts

( I eat plain Ones, kids love the honey flavored ones)

Organic Plain Milk

Juice

Only 100% dye free juice boxes

Meats

Jenni-o Ground turkey

Bare Chicken (target)

Ground Buffalo (Costco)

Sprouts, Sunflower, Target, Costco and Vitamin Cottage carry a lot of these products and when on sale they are really no more than products loaded with dyes, hydrogenated oils and sugars.  

I am always looking for good snacks for kiddos

and new healthy products.

Please Post your Favorites under comments!

Read more...

A Simple Spring Lunch

Sweet Berry Salad with Almonds

1/3 cup Teriyaki Sauce

Honey

1/3 cup Sliced Natural Almonds

Crushed Garlic

Olive Oil

4 chicken breast

(trimmed and pounded to even thickness)

Strawberries

Blackberries

Spring Salad Mix

Brianna’s Home style Blush Vinaigrette

In a small saucepan simmer on low heat 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce with ¼ cup honey and 1 tsp crushed garlic  1 minute until honey is dissolved. Remove from the heat, set aside.

For the Candied Almonds In a heavy, nonstick skillet heat 1-2 Tbsp Honey with 1/3 cup natural sliced almonds, stirring constantly. Remove from heat once honey dissolves and almonds are coated. Quickly spread onto foil-covered surface, lightly salt, allow to cool. Break apart, if necessary

Preheat a grill or large grill pan to medium-high. Rub the chicken with the 2 tablespoons olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Grill chicken until cooked through, turn heat to low and brush glaze on each side of chicken. Pull chicken off grill and let rest.

Meanwhile, toss spring lettuce mix with one carton slice strawberries and one carton blackberries.

Slice Chicken Thin. Top salad and berries, sliced chicken and Almonds. Dress with Brianna’s Home style Blush Wine Vinaigrette. (I buy it at Target)

Serve with Crusty Bread and Favorite White wine!

Read more...

May is Mothers Day, Host a Mother Daughter Brunch!

 
A Simple, fun Mother Daughter Brunch!

The perfect way to celebrate your mom!

Menu:

Ham and Swiss Quiche

Caprese Salad

Spinach Salad with Oranges

Lemon Bars

Chocolate Truffles

Iced Tea

Pink Lemonade

Garnished with citrus and fresh cranberries

Favors:

Antibacterial Hand Soaps

Colored Fans

Read more...

Another sweet year.....

This month I celebrated my 29Th Birthday! Time flies when your having fun! The whole day all I could think about was how lucky I was! Three wonderful kids, an amazing husband and the greatest family and friends and girl could ask for. Thanks to everyone who made the weekend so special! I thought I would share some fun things from the day.....

Great Gifts...

Bitch Wine
Pop Champagne
XOXO chocolate
 Gladiolus's
Breakfast in bed

Entertainment...

Date Night Movie
My kids singing me Happy Birthday
and a pic of me as a
BABY!

Read more...

Time to Grill..... Turkey Burger Recipe

I love ground turkey and this Turkey Burger
recipe is sure to please!

1 pound Ground Turkey
1/4 cups Olive Oil Mayo
2 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley
1 Tbsp fresh Thyme
1-2 celery ribs finely chopped
2 chives finely chopped
1 Tbsp crushed garlic
Jar of Pesto
Roasted Red Peppers
salt and pepper to taste

In a bowl combine Turkey with, mayo, parsley, thyme, celery, onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Shap meat into 4 patties. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours.

Grill over medium heat until cooked through.
Place cooked patty on kaiser roll spread top of bun with pesto. Top patty with roasted red peppers! ENJOY!

Read more...

New favorite wine!

I am always looking for fabulous wines.
I particularly love Red Wines.
This is my new favorite!
Chime, Pinot Noir
"Aromas and flavors of bing cherries, followed
by a touch of vanilla and floral notes characterize
this delightful Pinot Noir. It is elegant,
perfectly balanced and flat out delicious."

Try it out at your next get together!

Read more...