Simple Inspirations

In this day and age which Mom is not looking for a little more get up and go?   I search high and low some times for the energy to pull through, my life is FULL ( and I love it) but it can be tiring trying to a straight a student, super Mom of 5 and wife/cook/friend extraordaire!  Coffee is great, but I am sure its partly to cause for my butt draggin across the floor my mid evening some days, not to mention the cream and sugar I crave to make my coffee "just so" expanding my hip line. Can I let you in on a little secret?

For 35 small calories you can pop the top off a Cranergy drink from Ocean Spray and not only does this juice have all the health benefits

• Cranberry juice and green tea extract: both contain high levels of antioxidants that help the body fight free radicals and stay healthy, and green tea extract offers a natural source of caffeine
• B-vitamins: support healthy energy production
• Vitamin C: helps boost your immune system

The tea adds a little something extra, I mean this drink is YUMMY and comes in two flavours cranberry lift and raspberry-cranberry lift.  I loved both and so did my kids ( who were practically begging me for a sip).

If you need more info make sure to pop over to the site at oceanspray.com ( I think there is even some great coupons if you wanna check it out). At cranergy.com there is a ton of recipes and ideas you don’t want to miss out on.

My little man, Asher, is now 5 months old.  He is on the brink of crawling.  He rolls over and over and over.  Its very cute.  After my last to kids hated being on their tummy..I am amazed at how mobile he is already.  There is NO sitting still.  At all.  Ever.

He is now on a non allergy soy formula and sleeps a lot better than he did a month ago.  Actually a month ago, he didn’t sleep at all so this is a BIG improvement.  I as sad to see nursing go, this was my last baby and I really will miss that closeness, but at least this way I know his little tummy is full.

I tried to upload a picture, but I keep getting the not responding window, so I guess I will try again later!

Its ben awhile, I know.  But life has been hectic.  I pretty much gave up sleeping entirely to get my University assignments done on time.  Talk about OVERLOAD!  I have been totally swamped..5 kids, school work, housework, homeowrk, swimming, cooking, did I mention the baby???….which makes me happy to say that I have found something I love and makes life easier…these new pouches from Ragu.  They have been a lifesaver.

They are called Fresh and Simple pouches and let me tell you, thats no lie!!!  They are delicious..all my kids and my husband gave them two thumbs up..and as I have said before I have a bunch of picky eaters in my house so that is a BIG THING!  You take these pouches, cut a corner, slip them in the microwave for 90 second, top on your pasta of choice and VOILA!!  Supper. Did I mention they come in some great flavours…my favorite is the traditonal tomato and basil!

I have to admit, I was skeptical.  I come from the school of cooks that says it takes hours to make a good spaghetti sauce..but this is quick and easy without losing the flavour!  Ragu deserves a medal for making life easier and tastier.  If you want to impress your family, pour onto some wholewheat pasta, top with cheese and basil. You don’t need to tell them it took you less time to make supper than coffee!! And without sacrifing study time. or whatever keeps you busy, you have a great meal you can feel good about serving!

I also have to say..Ragu has put together a free, downloadable recipe booklet that has a bunch of great time saving tips and meal planning suggestions for healthy meals for your family. The booklet includes recipes and tips from the Food Network’s Robin Miller, celebrity fitness trainer Kathy Kaehler, and last but certainly not least, and Mom Central’s Stacy DeBroff. You can download the booklet from www.FeedOurkidsWell.com.  I got mine and I have to say, its a keeper!  Check it out!!!

So I have these crippling chest pains which manded me in the ER two weeks ago, and still lurk around and make it hard to bend, breathe, lift, tie..live.  Today I wake up with a terrible shooting pain in my neck, thus making it harder to do all the above listed activities.  Throw in my second year university courses looming over me like Goliath over David, a baby who sleeps ( or doesn’t) like his Mother, a 2 year old who wants to go weeeeeeeeeeee (swing) all day long and you have the recipe for the quasi mess that is my life.  Organized chaos.

I wouldn’t have it any other way

Last night was Abby’s first day in her big girl bed!! She slept all night without crawling out, not bad for a two year old. Asher on the other hand is a Sprott through and through when it comes to matters of nocturnal sleeping patterns. He, like me, needs only a ten minute power nap to survive. Oy.

Its 8 am and I have been up what feels like half a day already and have been singing the same line of the same song for three hours…Jesus, make me the man that you want me to be…"..which clearly implies something about my gender that it shouldn’t.   I love Saturday.