What?

Isn't this how all kids watch movies?

Kale Chips

Anyone who knows me knows that I am useless when it comes to technology.  I didn't even know what a blog was until a few years ago.   Twitter, I am still a little unsure. Cell phones & texting, doesn't fit into my world right now.   But when it comes to food, food I know.  I didn't have much need for the computer until I learned about google.  You mean I can type in any recipe, any combination of ingredients and 1 or maybe 100 recipes will pop up..........Amazing, Magic!  Seriously, this is pure Magic.  Back in the day if I wanted a recipe I would ask my mom, sisters, call friends, and most of the time just check out a bajillion cookbooks from the library to try and find what I was looking for.  

Well now that I have stumbled upon Allrecipes, the aforementioned google, and countless blogs with people who are not ashamed to unabashedly proclaim  their love for food,  finding a recipe, any and all recipes, couldn't be easier.

I cannot remember for the life of me which blog I got this recipe from, but I think it's interesting and I like it.  My kids, not so much, they prefer regular Kale chips (sans coating).

So I know this looks like something I just pulled from my backyard and slapped on a plate, but no, it really is good.  They are Raw Vegan Kale Chips.  I know, I know, sounds way too healthy to be good.  But they are!

I can be lazy when it comes to learning new things, especially when they seem so overwhelming (technology).  But  all I need is a little motivation.  I thought blogs were so cool and now I can blog.  Good thing I have a 10 year old, these darn kids were born with a techie chip implanted in their brains.  Lucky for me.

In the O.C.

Not going to the beach, shopping or visiting the Houswives or anything normal people would consider fun.  We were at the Science Museum where all  the cool Nerds hang out.

This Dino quarry was awesome.  My kids all went on different expeditions to find all sorts of  bones.  Had to literally drag them away at closing time.

This is an earthquake simulator.  They gotta get used to what's in store.

Truth be told, we all know that nerds are cool.  They are usually humble, nice, a little clueless (can be quite a good thing actually) and  keep busy with their nose in a book.  But the very best thing about being a nerd is that they are usually employed. 

Like the Little Red Hen

Except the exact opposite.  Who will help me grind the wheat?  Everyone.  Who will help me make the bread?  Everyone.  Who will help me eat the bread?  Everyone.  Well of course.

 I used to grind the wheat in the kitchen until one snap on the lid broke and even though at first it's not that obvious, after grinding about 10 lbs. of wheat there is a thin layer of wheat dust over my island, the counters, my floor, etc.  So now it is done outside. By Emry.  My neighbors I am sure love how extremely LOUD it is.  But I am sure if I just explained how beneficial it was to their health they would probably go and drop $200 on their own grinder and spend all their days grinding wheat and  making bread too.  No?

 Luckily I have a big freezer so I can make a ton, slice it up and freeze it all.  Once toasted right from the freezer it tastes freshly baked.  I've made many different recipes and my favorite is  'simple whole wheat bread' from allrecipes it's fail proof.   And I love that it calls for honey seeing how thanks to my in-laws I have a 50 lb. container in my garage.  Along with the hundreds of pounds of whole wheat they give us for food storage I will be making bread for many years to come.

Sometimes I sorta do feel like that Red Hen.  Although I doubt she let's hers rise all night in the fridge so she can bake it first thing in the morning & have her husband and children awaken to it wafting throughout the house.  Sometimes being a stay at home mom is a thankless job, so if it makes me feel better to one up a fictional storybook character, so be it.

No Air

Because of my kids school schedule I rarely run during the week.  Add in some busy (read lazy) weekends and bam, it's been 2 weeks. Yikes!  Some days I do 20 minute shred plus 25 min. on the stairmaster.  Sometimes just the stairmaster.  Sometimes a long walk with Brutus.  The point is I should still be in shape right. Right? 

 I ran 6 miles the other day and you would have thought it was my first time running.  Do I get no credit for the past 25 years!!  My throat was hot, my lungs couldn't get enough air, my legs were heavy.  I thought my time would be horrible but surprisingly even with 3 walking breaks and about 1/3 of my route steep hills I still finished in 55 minutes. 

And yes I bring 2 i-pods with me when I run.  Glenn has told me a million times how to tell if it is charged, but my mind repels any technical information.  I must cover my bases because music gives me what apparently years of experience doesn't.............endurance.

Not Nice!

"We never have anything nice because of you kids".  This was a common statement said by my parents in our household growing up......and it was true.  Between us 9 kids we broke and ruined pretty much everything my parents ever brought into the house, including the house itself.  Windows, lamps, mirrors, dishes, cars, nothing was safe.  I myself am responsible for 3 broken blenders. 3! 

Luckily I have convinced myself I don't like nice these.  With 3 children, there really is no point.  I know that it is not in my best interest to get too attached to anything.  Surprisingly the kids are pretty great.  It's our little Brutus that has a love for destruction.  Thankfully it's only one thing.......blankets.  But that one thing has become pretty annoying.

Luckily he's not big enough to do any real damage.  But not nice that when it's cold we look like hobos.

I lied.  I do own some nice things.  My blender is a Vita-Mix.  Here's hoping no paws or mitts ruin it.

The Kids are Allright

Taking Brutus on his morning walks are always an event (when it involves the kids).  Sometimes there is waiting while roller blades or roller skates are put on, or a bike or skateboard is found.  I am sure the neighbors can't get enough of us all especially because if you know my children you know how crazy LOUD they are, even at (especially at) 8 a.m.  Emry of course had one of her great ideas for a new way to go the 2 blocks to the park.  Notice her arm looped through the wagon handle, nice Emry, one less thing for me to carry/push/pull/hold.

 After waffles it was off to parent teacher conferences and all the kids are well on their way to Stanford, I mean they are doing well.  Ethan needs to remember not to run during free time.  Emry needs to stop being so chatty during class.  Lila..........nothing to fix there.  After conferences it was time for-

 





                 

 I paid 18.99 for both haircuts including tip.  Not too shabby.  That Smart Card has already paid for itself.  When I have coupons I always use them. 

Next up we redeemed some coupons at Chick Fil-A for free kids meals.

Then a pop quiz.  In what book does a character say "Soft serve ice cream is soft serve ice cream"?  Ethan got it when he said "Berenstain Bears:"!  He was right.  It was when Queenie was stealing all Sisters friends and bought them all soft serve.  In honor of his correct answer, they all earned..........

But we went down the street to McDonalds because it is about half the price of Chick Fil-A.

Then it was homework, chores and reading time.  (With messes, whining and very annoying kid stuff thrown in all throughout).  All in all, the kids are better than all right......

Balance

 I am nothing if not balanced in my food choices.  As of last night we had zero chocolate in the house, and that doesn't really sit well with Glenn.  So I made sure to remedy that situation today.  Okay fine, it makes me a little nervous too.  And it makes my kitchen downright sad.  We're all happy now.

Work it

 

 Glenn was doing Gillian Michaels 20 minute shred this morning when all of a sudden he had 3 little workout buddies.  Usually they just watch us when we excersise, but sometimes it strikes their fancy to join in, I love it.  I remember reading a study which said that 85% of children who have parents that excersise will also grow up to include it in their lives, awesome.

Then we went on to have dutch babies for breakfast.  Buttery and sweet, but also made with 100% whole wheat flour.  This is Glenn's specialty and he probably would have used white flour but we have been out for a few weeks. 

I am also hoping that children whose parents make them yummy breakfasts grow up to take care of those parents and feed them and take care of them well into their old age.  After all, they will have the energy seeing as how they work out all the time.

Field Trip

Took the kiddos to Pennypickle's Imagination Workshop for a home school field trip.  Just to clarify, they go to school 4 days a week and on Friday it's home school which is usually some sort of project, report or field trip and always includes cleaning 101 =). 

  

  

                   
Fun day, the kids loved it and Jeannette only got taken to task once for losing Kiera.  Enough learning!  The kids night consisted of Little Ceasars five dollar pizza and a movie while Glenn and I along with Jeannette and Merrill got taken out to Mexican food. It was a good Friday.