Coffee Cup Omelet

Moms, do you want a quick and healthy breakfast? I came across a recipe for Coffee Cup Omelets and they are quick, easy, healthy, low-calorie, and so good! Here's what you do:

Tastes better than it appears.

In a coffee cup, put in two eggs and about a tablespoon (or a splash) of milk. Whip together. Microwave for about one minute. Take out and stir and add anything you want to it. Today I added a little shredded cheddar cheese, a handful of spinach leaves chopped finely, one mushroom chopped finely, one leftover cooked asparagus I had in the fridge from dinner the other night, a shake or two or salt and pepper. Then microwave for about another 30 seconds. Mix and eat!

Source

These eggs are so filling that when I eat them I am rarely even hungry at lunch time. And they are so much easier than getting out and dirtying a skillet and spatula, a bowl to mix the eggs, a plate and a fork. It's all done in one coffee cup with one fork.

Try it!

I am linking up with Food on Friday at Carole's Chatter.

Training Healthy Eaters

As a single mom when Kyndal and Dawson were little, my philosophy was that I was not going to fight about food. Primarily because of that, Dawson is a horrible eater! Thankfully, Kyndal had already received a foundation of pretty healthy eating before Dawson came along, so she still would eat pretty good. Dawson? Wow. Not so good. He is just now starting to eat a little better, but his inclination is always to go toward the junkier foods.

I vowed to do things differently with Eli and Brynne. I started them off with more well-balanced meals, not really giving them choices about what they did or did not eat. I encouraged them to eat healthy, and for the most part they have.

Of course, as they have gotten older and seen other types of foods, they have formed some opinions about what they "don't like". Because I still want them to get healthy foods in them, even if they don't want them, I have come up with some ways to accomplish that without a huge fight.
 

Call it something else. My kids have never wanted to eat eggs. And we like to have breakfast for dinner sometimes. So I had the idea the other night to make turkey bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits. Instead of asking them what they wanted on theirs, I just made them each half of one and put it on their plates with some fruit and extra pieces of turkey bacon. When Brynne asked what the biscuit was, I told her it was a "breakfast sandwich", not a "bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit". They gobbled them up and kept saying, "These are soooo good!" After they were COMPLETELY done eating, I said, "You just ate eggs." Huh??? "But weren't they good?" And the resounding answer was "Yes!"

Put it in and just don't tell them what it is. ~ A similar tactic is just putting the healthy stuff in and not drawing attention to it. Two nights ago we had quesadillas on whole wheat tortillas, containing refried beans, cheese, and avocado. They asked what they were. I said "quesadillas" (total truth). And they ate them. I never told them that inside those quesadillas were refried BEANS and AVOCADO. Had they known they were in there before they started eating, they probably would have refused it. Instead, all I heard was "Yum!"

Make it look different. A lot of times this involves putting it on rice or pasta. My kids will eat just about anything if it's on rice or pasta. Brynne might skip over the green veggies, but if I get them cut small enough, she eats them without even knowing it.

A big example of this was with the cabbage rolls I made last night.

These two dishes contain the EXACT same ingredients. Guess which one my kids ate?

I just switched things up a bit. I made brown rice their base food, added some ground turkey mixed with puree'd tomatoes instead of diced and small cuts of cabbage. They didn't even know that they were getting tomatoes and cabbage. And, they ate it right up. Rick and I had the original version which was delicious!

Add veggies to desserts. Jessica Seinfeld had a whole cookbook on this. I did some of her recipes, but they were really time consuming. Now, I just stick to muffins and cookies and put in some zucchini or carrots or some bananas, applesauce in place of oil, whole wheat flour instead of white, some ground flax. They love them and I feel good about them eating them in handfuls.

Put baby food veggies in your meals. What? Yeah! In spaghetti sauce, add a jar of squash. In soups, add a jar of carrots. If you can hide it, do it. Dawson actually asked me if I would do it. That way he gets veggies, but doesn't have to see them. Okay.

Food Groups plate. I recently blogged about these plates I purchased at Walmart in the baby and toddler section. They have seriously made dinner time a delight! The kids love to have ALL of their food group sections filled with the appropriate foods. If they are missing something, I give them options to fill it. It's been great.

Of course my main advice is to start when they are babies feeding them nothing but healthy foods and hold off as long as possible before letting your kids know there are other things out there. Don't ever give them white bread. Don't ever give them white rices and pastas. Don't ever give them anything to drink but water, milk, and the occasional juice. If this is what they know, this is what will make them happy.

But if that day comes and your kids know that there are some yummier (of course) less healthy options and they refuse your meals, maybe the tips above will help you. They help me daily.

Nicole's Daybook

Outside my window... are potentially ugly storms starting today.

I am thinking... about making this a full-out sick day for us today. Dawson had his oral surgery yesterday, so he's definitely out. Eli has caught a cold and isn't feeling well. I woke up with a headache that feels sinus-y. Everybody is still asleep. Seems like a good day to keep everybody home and learn about earthworms. (We need to get our habitat made before they die in the cups they are in.)

I am thankful ... for Dawson's sweet friends who sent him Facebook messages to get well soon, and for Tonio coming over to hang out with him even though he was pretty out of it. He has great friends.

I am wearing... my pjs still, and probably won't upgrade much today.

I am planning...  so much right now. It's the nature of a homeschooling parent. Finishing up this school year with some delight-directed unit studies, and thinking hard about next year.
 

I am creating... clean and organized clothes closets. Two down.

I am going... to try my best to get back into a better exercise schedule. This time of year, especially, my arthritis is flared up with all of the pressure changes from storms. I know this. I know this. But, still, I get worn out and exercise is one of the first things to go (because I need to do it first thing in the morning, but sleep wins out.) But I also know that if I would just get up and exercise, I would have more energy. It's a vicious cycle.

I am reading...  Reality Check by Peter Abrahams, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (Dawson's daily read-a-loud), The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (Brynne's daily read-a-loud),  Stepping Heavenward by E. Prentiss (my daily devotional).

I am hoping... that Dawson gets the feeling back to the left side of his jaw, chin, and lip. He's having the same nerve damage issues that I had when I had my wisdom teeth extracted. I am SLOWLY getting the feeling back, so I hope he is successful as well.

From the learning rooms... I've decided to give our homeschool an official name: Pursuit Academy. There are times where I am asked what our school's name is, and we haven't had one. My homeschooling blog is called Journey to Excellence, but that is not our school name. So now... We are on a Journey to Excellence at Pursuit Academy. How's that? To me it's all about the journey ... the pursuit. The end result will work itself out.

Noticing that ... my kids are so cute when they are in the backyard hanging out at the fence with our neighbors' kids. We have three yards that all meet together in one spot. All three homes' swingsets are in that corner. The kids will all swing on their sets and talk, kick balls back and forth to each other over the fence, and just hang out. I strongly remember my neighborhood friends when I was a kid, and those are great memories.

From the kitchen... we are using up the remainder of our fresh foods from my last shopping trip. Need to make it stretch to the 16th. Today, I am making homemade banana mini-muffins for our homemade snack.

Around the house... the weeds are dying. We finally broke down and hired a lawn company to deweed and fertilize our yard. I imagine our neighbors will thank us.

One of my favorite things... is a Sunday afternoon nap, or any nap for that matter. But Sunday afternoon ones are just extra special.

A few plans for the rest of the week... My week will mostly consist of taking care of Dawson. I'm going to go up and clean his room and nerd cave today so they are all ready for him when he gets to feeling better. Eli and Brynne have choir practice at church on Wednesday night. On Saturday, Brynne and I are meeting some friends to go have a "tea party" at The Pink House in Claremore, Oklahoma, then are going to see the musical The Secret Garden.

From my picture journal.

I came across this when looking for a photo to post. Kyndal did the editing after it was taken. It couldn't be more true for us as a family. With Kyndal's move this past December, I was so worried what it would do to us as a "family". But she and I are so incredibly close right now. It's surreal, because when she calls it feels like I am talking to my adult daughter who is out there in the world living her own life. And then I have a flash of remembrance that she's only a 17 1/2 year old junior in high school. I love her and miss her, but she has not been forgotten. And, I don't feel as though she has left us behind.

Lots of women Daybook. See what they have to say at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Menu Plan Monday

Dawson will be eating liquids and squishy food this week. It's his turn for oral surgery. I feel really bad for him, and hope that his recovery is MUCH shorter and MUCH less painful than mine.

What will the rest of us be eating?

We are still eating from my last shopping trip where I just grabbed a variety of lean meats, fresh veggies and fruits. So far that's been working well! We have had some delicious, healthy meals, and with homemade and healthy snacks, we have been eating well!

Here is what we will be having this week from that same stash of food:

Monday ~ Quesadillas with shredded grilled pork, avocado, onions and tomatoes

Tuesday ~ Baked tilapia, rice and green beans

Wednesday ~ Fend for Yourself

Thursday ~ Cabbage rolls (stay tuned for how I get my kids to eat this)

Friday, Saturday, Sunday ~ Ah, who knows. We'll make it work with a pantry and freezer purge before the next big shopping trip.

Easter

We have had a nice Easter.

Last night we did our two traditions of coloring Easter eggs and making Resurrection cookies.

First thing Easter morning we noticed that, ooooops, the Easter Bunny had to go potty while he was eating his lettuce and carrots! I guess when you gotta go, you gotta go!

Everybody enjoyed the goodies they got from the Easter Bunny and their special Easter morning sprinkle donuts.

We got all prettied up and went to church.

When we got home, Eli and Brynne hunted eggs.

Then we sat down to read our Resurrection Eggs. It was amazing the difference in Eli and Brynne's involvement and understanding this year over last. This year they even read some of the scriptures.

I released my husband to go play a round of golf this afternoon because, honestly, I just have so much to do today. It's a beautiful day and he should take advantage of it! I am planning a nice Easter dinner of grilled pork ribs (gonna clean that grill first), potato salad, asparagus, mac and cheese for the kids, and strawberry shortcake for dessert.

I am thankful for my family.

And I am thankful for the sacrifice of my Lord and Saviour, and the wonder of His resurrection.

Happy Easter!

Book List

Sometimes after I read a really good book, I have a hard time getting into another one. This has happened to me recently. I read The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. It was SOOOOOO good! Since then, I have tried to start three different books, but just couldn't get into them.

Dawson and I recently read a book from the 2012 Sequoyah list called Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson. It, too, was very good.

So, today I printed off the list of High School books on the 2012 Sequoyah list. These books are top-notch award winners, and since they are written for young adults, they will be a little easier read. I decided to read each book on the list, at least until I find another book I want to read more.

I am starting with Reality Check by Peter Abrahams. Stephen King calls Abrahams his "favorite American suspense novelist." The book is about a young high school football player who reads a headline in a newspaper that his former girlfriend, who has been sent away to boarding school, has been abducted. He heads out to find her.

Here are the other books on the list I plan to read:

Hate List by Jennifer Brown
Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford
After by Amy Efaw
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Say the Word by Jeannine Garsee
Into the Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern
Brutal by Michael Harmon
Freaks and Revelations by David A. Hurwin
Pop by Gordon Korman
Blue Plate Special by Michelle Kwasney
Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
A Map of the Known World by Lisa Ann Sandell
Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten

The Craziest Flowering Season

It has been a crazy season for flowers around here, because of the warm winter.

First, my vinca vine that is usually TOTALLY dead in my headwall pots, are all thriving! They even flowered!

I had one set of petunias survive the winter! Crazy!

These spriggy-uppy things (that's what I call them) also survived, so that will save me some cash.

The craziest still ... my MUMS grew for a second time this season ... in MARCH! I planted them in the ground today hoping that I was able to recycle them.

In my vegetable garden, I have lettuce, chives, and strawberries, all from last year.

And down the hill, where the pumpkin seeds will be planted this year, where I chucked the dying squash and zucchini plants last summer, in the midst of all the weeds, I believe I see NEW SQUASH and/or ZUCCHINI plants! What??

Have you had any unexpected spring flowers or returning veggies?

Where Two or More are Gathered ....

I would like to humbly ask for prayers for a young man from my distant past, who is still very active in the lives of my children. He feels desperate. He feels alone. He is crying out for help, so loudly crying out for help! Real help from someone, anyone who loves him and believes in him. I don't know who is really reaching out to him, if anyone. Maybe many are and he is just not accepting it. There is no doubt that he has acted out, been inappropriate in his actions and reactions, has dug himself into a deep hole. However, he has not acted alone, in my opinion. He has much to overcome. And most of what he is hearing from those who love him is how bad he really is. Those are hard words to overcome.

I believe in him. I know that he can overcome the difficulties in his life and excel. God has created him to do something special, singular only to him. I pray that someone is able to breathe that truth into him before it's too late. I pray that someone will step up and give him the right support, offer him some hope. I pray, more than anything, for God's interceding hand.

Will you please join me?

Nicole's Daybook

Outside my window... at 5:30 this morning, was a meowing Clifford who had been left outside all night. He was sure happy to come back in!

I am thinking... about proud I am of Kyndal for taking such good care of herself and for making good, responsible decisions.

I am thankful ... that we are having a MUCH less busier week this week! Last week about killed me.

I am wearing... a cream colored shirt with gray and gold swirlies on it, skinny jeans, and tan Rocket Dog shoes. Oh, and menthol stick-on heating pads on my lower back because I pulled it when picking up a box of clothes.

I am planning...  to plant a few veggies this weekend.
 

I am creating... dressers and closets with summer clothes instead of winter, and lists of new summer clothes needed.

I am going... to take Dawson to the dentist this afternoon, and then go to the post office to mail Easter cards to Kyndal and my grandma. (I originally did this post this morning, and I had a long list of errands I was planning to do. But when I went into town to drop off Buck for his grooming appointment, I ran over a screw and it got stuck in my tire. I had to go to Walmart to have it repaired, which took two hours. So I did the only thing I knew to do ... went shopping while I waited. After my car was fixed, I went to the library, picked up Buck, and came home.)

I am reading...  How the Other Half Lives by Jacob A. Riis, City of Orphans by Avi (Dawson's daily read-a-loud), The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (Brynne's daily read-a-loud),  Stepping Heavenward by E. Prentiss (my daily devotional).

I am hoping... that Eli is as excited about coming home to school next year as I am. I cannot wait to have him here!

From the learning rooms... We are just working really hard, trying to get the necessaries done so that we can celebrate a fun month of learning in May.

Noticing that ... that I had some annuals (petunias, vinca vines) that are coming back up after winter, and that my hydrangea, that I thought was dead, has new shoots!

From the kitchen... we are eating some yummy, healthy foods this week, with a concentration on veggies and fruits. It has been so good!

Around the house... the mosquitoes are INSANE! The mild, no-freeze winter is going to make the bug population ridiculous this year.

One of my favorite things... is gardening, both vegetable and flower.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Just a few errands and appointments, but nothing outrageous. We do have a curriculum sale at Co-op on Friday, and I hope I can pick up a few things I need. Of course Easter is Sunday, so we will be celebrating the resurrection of our Lord. I am hoping to finish up some clothes organization and work in my gardens. The kids are just enjoying outside time. Even Dawson has been getting out in the evenings to take Crusoe for a run. Rick will be fitting in some golf, I am sure. Easy days right now.

From my picture journal.

This was in an e-mail I got from a friend. It's it great?

Lots of women Daybook. See what they have to say at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Menu Plan Monday

When we were in Florida a couple of weeks ago, we went to the store to buy food for the week. Since it was just my mom, sister, and I (and the two little kids), and we are all into watching what we eat, we were able to just purchase a bunch of fruits, veggies, lean meats, and snacks. The whole week of eating FELT good. (I also noticed that I did not have heartburn when I went to bed each night, like I usually do.)

Especially in the winter months, I load us up on comfort foods. I try to keep them as healthy as possible, but I cook with lots of pastas and rices and potatoes and creamy soups. We are a casserole family.

When I was preparing for our grocery trip this week, I just felt like buying differently. I had in my mind the types of meals I want to prepare this week, but didn't make a real MEAL list. Instead, I just started listing all of the lean meats, fruits, veggies, and healthy snacks I could. Then I decided that I would just plan our meals each morning using those ingredients.

What did I buy? pork ribs, chicken breasts, ground turkey, tilapia, broccoli, avocados, green peppers, red onions, spinach, cabbage, asparagus, mushrooms, grapes, apples, pears, bananas, strawberries, mandarin oranges, canned peaches, whole grain pastas, brown rice, yogurts, cheeses, whole wheat crackers ... you get the picture.

What types of meals and snacks will I fix? homemade veggie pizzas, turkey tacos, popcorn chicken salad, baked tilapia with brown rice and veggies, grilled pork ribs with veggies, banana muffins, oatmeal raisin cookies, and whatever strikes my fancy that day with the ingredients we have.

I am actually planning to go through my pantry today and toss every box that's in it, that does not contain a healthy-ish item. I am not a fanatic who plans to cut out every processed food item from her family's diet. But I just know that we will all feel better if we cut out the majority of it.

Now, with me being a planner, this might not work for long. For ten years I have planned our weekly menus and put them on a calendar. Choosing meals each day might not work. I'm afraid that I will get busy and, because I haven't planned, that when it's time for dinner I'll just give up and tell everybody to fend for themselves. But, I'm willing to give it a try.

Oh, and here is why you should clean out the bottom of your grill before you use it the first time after winter.

I glanced up from the kitchen and saw smoke and flames billowing from my grill. I know you are supposed to cook pork well done, but this was a little much. It was really, really funny, and tragic because those pork chops were looking and smelling SOOOOO good! The Wendy's spicy chicken sandwiches didn't taste near as good with our homemade garlic mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli.