Puppy Pics

We have PUPPIES!

Niki had three beautiful, healthy puppies beginning at 11:00pm Friday night.


Shiba Inus normally come in three colors; black, sesame, and cream. We were really hoping for at least one to take after Niki and be cream. However, we got 3 sesame. I guess the daddy was just too dominant. Sesame is the traditional color of the breed. They are cute as can be. We've sold two and my children are continually begging to keep the third. (we'll see)

Healthy Eating

So it has been over a week now that me and my family have adopted a healthier eating menu. It is not the easiest thing in the world. As a matter of fact it is really hard for me. I have tried to cut out sugar all together and it’s not working so well. The first 7 days I did really well however my energy did not seem to be up to par. On Sunday I taught the sunbeam class and I brought snacks; crackers, marshmallows and fruit loops. It was really hard to feed them and not myself so I did sneak some fruit loops. Now the past two days I have found myself snacking on cold cereal several times throughout the day. I’m not sure how to stop. I haven’t had one piece of candy or chocolate and that is a huge feat. Were doing somewhat ok but of course it could be better. We eat a lot more vegetables and mainly chicken or fish. We’ve also cut out table salt. We use a lot of Mrs. Dash. It’s got to be healthy right?! I’m actually really proud of Steve I did not think he would be able to keep it up this long but he seems to be doing really well. Of course I sneak cereal so who’s to say he doesn’t sneak as well.

I’ve also got Steve exercising every day. Exercising is a lot easier for me than the eating part of this whole scenario. It’s not so easy for Steve however. The lack of time is a big factor. There’s usually less than an hour of time for him to spend with the kids at the end of the day. And if you factor in a workout there is no time, which has left him to exercising late at night. I am exhausted by the end of the day and I can only assume it is the same for him, but he has been a good sport and has continued each day.

So the reason that I put up this post is to add a few recipes every so often. I’m trying new, healthier recipes and I thought I would share those I liked.
This soup is one of my favorites. It is so easy and so good.



Tuscan Vegetable Soup




Ingredients
• 1 (15-ounce) can low-sodium canellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 2 carrots, diced (about 1/2 cup)
• 2 stalks celery, diced, (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 small zucchini, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 32 ounces low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can no salt added diced tomatoes
• 2 cups chopped baby spinach leaves

Directions
In a small bowl mash half of the beans with a masher or the back of a spoon, and set aside.
Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, garlic, thyme, sage, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and cook stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
Add the broth and tomatoes with the juice and bring to a boil. Add the mashed and whole beans and the spinach leaves and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes more.

Christmas Pictures

I know that it is well past Christmas but I thought I would throw up a few pictures anyway.

Christmas Eve! Jack is a goof ball and it's really hard to get a serious picture of him. This is the best I could do that night.

Here's the kids spreading food out for Santa's reindeer. We were lucky, it snowed on Christmas Eve.


Here's Jack fighting off kisses from the girls.

Unlike most of you who's children slept in until 6 or 7am, Kennedy and Rylee were up at 3:45am. I made them stay in their room until 6am. I know I'm a mean mom but that is just too early for me.




This is my gift to Stephen, a pullup bar. However Kennedy and Rylee love it more than most of their own gifts. They use it more too. They both do a few pullups everytime they walk by it.


Rylee loves to let everyone know that in Gymnastics her nickname is "Muscles".

Kennedy loves to show off her muscles as well.

Gregory, Mimi and Max came to Cedar a couple of days after Christmas to visit. Grandma Janet came over as well.



Kennedy, Rylee and Jack love it when their older brothers and sisters come to visit. They are all so much fun and give them a lot of attention. Here they are deliberating over a game. Gregory and Kennedy were on a team against Mimi, Rylee and Jack.


We all sat down for a tea party one afternoon.



My family is continually blessed. We had a wonderful Christmas. We gave to a family who are currently not as fortunate as us. I feel bad we didn't do more. There are so many people in our own communities who are hurting because of the failing economy. One New Years Resolution I made is to become more aware of those in need and actively be engaged in service. My family has been given so much and I would feel very ungrateful if I din't give back. We live in a wonderful neighborhood and have so many wonderful friends around us. I am blessed to be the receiver of much service and I am very grateful to all those who have helped me and my family throughout the past year.