FANTASTIC BOOK!

This book is seriously awesome! It has some fantastic ideas about 'Training' your kids to do the things that they need to in order to be successful, independant adults, instead of leeches. It isn't that the ideas are new, it is just that it puts everything you want to teach your kids into an plan of action that you can adapt for you. Not only does it cover household things, but teaching your kids about saving and spending and investing and all of that stuff. I am about half way through it and have loved it. Oh and for those of you with little ones, her plan starts with 3 year olds and goes right on through until you kick them out or your house to fend for themselves!

You can find it at your local Deseret Book or have your sister send it to you from hers (Thanks Marilee). I believe Merrilee Boyack is a 'TIME OUT for Women' speaker. Let me know what you think if you read it!!!

New Moon Trailer

Here it is!!!

Saturday Night Sugar Fest

I wanted to share a recipe with everyone.....but it comes with a warning.  These are so deadly sweet and delicious.  Don't be scared by the ingredients, trust me, you will want to make these over and over and over again.  Thanks Pioneer Woman, you rock.

Apple Dumplings

2 Granny Smith apples

2 cans of crescent rolls

2 sticks of butter (unsalted)

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 t. vanilla

cinnamon

1 small can of Mountain Dew or Sprite (8 oz.)

* Peal and core apples.  Cut apples into 8 slices each.  Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll.  Place in a 9x13 buttered pan.  Melt butter in a small pan then add sugar and barely stir.  Add vanilla, stir and pour over apples.  Pour soda around the edges of the pan.  Sprinkle generously with cinnamon and bake at 350 for 40 minutes.  Serve with vanilla ice cream or Cool Whip.  Spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.  Enjoy.  Go into a sugar coma. 

 If you try these let me know what you think.  They were a huge hit last night at my house!

2 Great Products!

So the first one helped me get through my first few months of Pregnancy. It is Mommy Bliss, Morning Sickness Magic. It didn't totally take all of the nausea away, but it definitely helped ease it and made me much more functional. I've heard of the Preggie Pops or some other stuff, but I don't like hard candy and so these worked great. They are all natural and have folic acid, ginger, B6 and Raspberry or something in them. I highly recommend at least trying them to see if they help. If you are pregnant that is. You can get them at BabiesRUs for about 10 bucks.

Product number 2 I discovered this week. My hair stylist recommended it. I have really fine oily hair and cannot go without washing it everyday. I have tried to 'train' it, but have had no luck, it still in greasy and stinky by the end of day two. I had heard of Dry Shampoo, but never taken the time to go buy it. Until last week that is! Who can resist a product called 'Rockaholic Dirty Little Secret Dry Shampoo.' I mean not only is it Rockaholic, but Dirty Little Secret, it couldn't be better!!! It is made by TIGI and let me tell you it is AWESOME! Really truly I love it. It completely solves my problem and now I can go an extra day without having to wash and blow dry! Being Pregnant and hot makes that an extra bonus. Give it a whirl. I found it at a beauty supply place for $18.95. Worth every penny!

The Pioneer Woman

Since "P-dub" (PW) has changed my life--I thought I would do a lovely post about it. I love her site! It's a cooking blog (she also has a photography blog, home & garden blog, and I think something else, too) with tons of pictures and funny comments to boot. But the food blog is my FAV. Most of her food is pretty simple and of course, not necessarily low calorie--but they are easy enough to lighten up if ya need to. Anyways, I recently shared it with a good friend of mine, and she liked it just as much as I do! So now I know it's not just me. Ha! Hope you enjoy it! Click HERE.

Eating for Life

I'm writing this as I eat some sweet corn tamales from Bajio....so don't judge me. I am 8 months pregnant and trying.

So in an effort to eat better, my hubby and I are eating most of our meals from the Eating for Life book. If you don't have this yet, it's a must have. It's the recipe companion book to Body for Life, which totally and completely works.

I wanted to post a pancake recipe that I made this morning, and was SUPER surprised how delish it was. So very easy and nutritious. ENJOY!

Golden Pancakes

1 cup uncooked whole-grain oats (non-instant oatmeal)

6 egg whites, or egg substitute

1 cup cottage cheese

1/4 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp cinnamon

2 packets sugar substitute

Mix in a blender until smooth and pour into hot griddle. Top with warm maple syrup and fresh berries. (and in my opinion, i would add more vanilla and cinnamon. or apple pie spice. yummy!)

There are also some great recipes for protein shakes, lettuce wraps, turkey meatloaf, and omlettes. Most of the stuff that I've tried from the book is pretty good. Can't complain when you're not eating a burger and fries! (which of course i'd rather, but i gotta do something!!!)

Best time of the year!

So this might seem a little odd but for those of you who love the citrus season I have to say, it just doesn't get any better than Costco right now. Every year I know that I can count on Costco to have the BEST grapfruit and clementines ever! My kids are addicted and it happens every year without fail. It is so good that if you thought you didn't like grapefruit and tried Costco's you might say, "I love grapefruit!" Same with the clementines. Sweet and Juicy!

What did you think of Twilight?

I just got home from seeing the midnight showing of Twilight (yes it's 2:53 am right now) and I am interested to hear all of your thoughts on the movie. Good? Bad? Like? Dislike? I won't tell you my thoughts because I don't want to set anyone up with my opinion. Tell me yours though, and beware, if you haven't seen it yet, don't read the comments. You don't want to spoil it for yourself. I'll put my thoughts in the comments too!

Food Storage Help

Hi. So lately I've been thinking I need to get up to par on my food storage (for those of you who may not know what I mean, I'm referring to the LDS Church's recommendation to keep a year's worth of food in your home in case of hardship) . It has always been overwhelming for me, but in light of this economy and such, I have found some new motivation to get it done. I've been doing a bit of online research and making a few phone calls. If anyone knows of any cool websites that would be helpful in this area, I'd greatly appreciate a comment with the link. Here are some that I've found so far:

FEMA disaster preparedness
LDS.org
The Red Cross

Eddie Bauer Sale

Hi. I'm not normally a huge E.B. fan, but I happened to be the mall today and they are having an additional 30% off of their sale/clearance items (some shirts were only $10). They have long sleeved shirts, sweaters, jackets, pants, etc. I bought a few really cute things! Just thought I'd share the news...