Strawberry No-Cook Overnight Refrigerator Oatmeal

A healthy no-cook breakfast... I'm in!!!
I saw this overnight refrigerator no-cook oatmeal idea on Pinterest The Yummy Life Blog and came up with my own recipe.
This is pretty easy and perfect for those of us who *ahem* aren't morning people but still want to have a healthy breakfast ready to go for the kids (and yourself)... This is great for lazy Saturday mornings and those rush out the door mornings. . . . And I'd really like to know if there is a more brilliant way of incorporating chia seeds into your diet!

Ingredients for each serving:
1/4 cup rolled oats (not instant, quick, or steel-cut)
1/4 cup yogurt (I used vanilla flavored)... if you use greek yogurt you need to increase the amount of milk you use to 1/3 cup b/c greek yogurt has less water in it.
1/4 cup milk (I used vanilla coconut milk... use whatever you prefer)
1 teaspoon chia seeds (we bought ours at New Seasons)
1 tablespoon strawberry jam
approx. 3 strawberries sliced into bite sized pieces

Directions:
In a 1 cup mason jar (I used the kids thermos containers) all my left over mason jars are being used as candle holders at this very moment - hahaaa!
So anyways... combine the oats, yogurt, milk, chia seeds and jam into the jar... seal lid and shake it like a Polaroid picture or like you're making one of those fancy foo foo mixed drinks :)
Remove lid and add fresh fruit... gently shake this time and place in the fridge overnight.
The next morning --- breakfast is served!!!
Eat cold.... These are good in the fridge for a couple days.
I was really worried my kids wouldn't like these but they LOVED it!
You can switch up the flavors and fruit... get creative!

Pasta Salad

I was at Trader Joe's... whoa --- big surprise, I know. hahaa ... they were sampling a pasta salad dish. I didn't get a recipe but I did gather the ingredients needed to throw this dish together.... and I made up a recipe. Super simple and oh so good.

Trader Joe's Ingredients:

2 cups dried Italian Tortellini (with mixed cheese filling)
1/3 cup of Balsamic Vinaigrette
1 - 14oz can Artichoke Hearts (in water)
a few big spoonfuls of Julianne Sliced Sun Dried Tomatoes (in oil)

Directions:

Boil tortellini according to directions... drain and place in large bowl.
Slice artichoke hearts in half... then each half into thirds.
Combine cooked tortellini, sliced artichokes, a few big spoonfuls of sun dried tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette. 

Mix, cover bowl and place in the fridge for awhile to serve cold... tastes even better if it sits overnight. Enjoy!

Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar "with the mother"

I'm a HUGE advocate of Apple Cider Vinegar... last year I had cold after cold from January till August (no joke) I was put on antibiotics several times, took tons of cold meds, allergy meds, nose spray, eye drops yaddda yaddda - nothing worked... I finally started taking ACV and it got rid of all my symptoms within a couple weeks. I've been taking it off and on ever since for general wellness... and twice to three times a day at the first sign of a cold or flu coming on. It tastes sooo gross but when you are as sick as I was you'll do anything to make it go away --- and stay away. So far it's done this body good and I recommend everyone else try it too! **stepping down from soap box now** lol :)

http://www.foodmatters.tv/_webapp_448797/Apple_Cider_Vinegar_-_The_Wonder_'Drug'_of_Yesterday_and_Today

Take 1-2 teaspoons in 6-8 ounces of water… and chug it. However I prefer to drink it through a straw.

The best ACV is organic raw apple cider vinegar “with the mother”… and it has to have the mother for it to be effective... that's where the enzymes are! You can find it at any local grocery store… AND it’s only a few $’s!

http://bragg.com/products/bragg-organic-apple-cider-vinegar.html

2012 GOALS!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I thought I'd jot down a few of my 2012 goals to keep me honest and on track... for some reason if I publish it then I feel like I'll have an easier time following through... a lil accountability.

I feel like a goal sounds better than a resolution... in my mind at least.

Okay where shall I start... 

EAT HEALTHY! 

This is my third year of my NO fast food & NO soda pop goal. I've slipped up a few times -- and every time I enjoyed it and then regretted it later... it's not worth it. This year I hope to grow a more successful garden... lots of veggies! Would like to try canning and freezing. I hope to continue fine tuning our meals to make them healthier and more budget friendly.

BE A GYM RAT! 

You think I'm joking? I'm not. I flippin' work at a gym yet I NEVER find time to go... and trust me I have time... haha. My "goal" is to get in a really good workout at least 3-4 times a week.

REMEMBER TO TAKE VITAMINS! 

I don't know why it's so difficult but I always forget. Several months back I switched out my pills for vitamins. I was taking birth control and allergy meds... I stopped all that and now as long as I take my vitamins, eat healthy, drink plenty of water and go to the gym -- I feel GREAT!

DO MORE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES!

Now that the kids are getting older it's easier to get out and do things with them. I hope to do some more sledding/tubing this winter, maybe some skiing & snowboarding. I'd like to take the kids on some hikes this year. Obviously we'll go camping in the woods but I'd also like to spend more time at the beach. I'd like to get the kids proper bikes and do some bike riding too. OH and its my goal to get all four of us out on the golf course this year. Let’s hope it doesn't rain all year!!!

HAVE MORE PATIENCE!

Let’s just put it this way... my kids know how to push my buttons. Sooo, with that said, it is my "goal" to yell at them less and love on them more. 

FIND A HOBBY!

I don't scrapbook but I LOVE to take pictures... This year I hope to get most of the photos I've taken over the years and compile them in albums. I love photography and would like to get better at it.

READ MORE! 

Yeah, this one is a biggie for me... I'm sure some of my "mom friends" understand where I'm coming from. Its go go go all day long and I finally plop down on the couch after the kids are in bed and all the chores are done... mentally and physically exhausted - reading a book for "enjoyment" is the last thing on my mind. Watching House Hunters or Iron Chef wins most nights. WELL that *I hope* will change... starting my goal out small this year. I have to read at least ONE book per month. My SIL got me Crazy Love by Francis Chan for Christmas... http://crazylovebook.com/  I think I'll start with that one. 

BE THE KIND OF WOMAN THAT WHEN YOUR FEET HIT THE FLOOR EACH MORNING THE DEVIL SAYS "OH CRAP, SHE'S UP."  
This is my MOST important and #1 goal for 2012 and beyond! The goals above are just ho-hum normal make yourself better line items but this one is serious. 

I really need to read my Bible way more than I do... I need to find a good devotional that I can really get excited about... we're already over a week in - I'd better get on it! I think I can, I think I can. This Fall I hope to sign up for the Women's Bible Study on Wednesdays while the kids are at school. I feel like God has big plans for me... I just don't know what yet.

Tonight I started writing this blog post and took a break for a while to sit down with the kiddos before bed. I went to read them their daily devotions for kids... and guess what? The devotional for today is perfect for this post!

"Never Give Up!

Nothing is impossible for God! - Luke 1:37

I am always with you and for you. I am your biggest fan. When you decide to do something that fits My plans for you, nothing in heaven or on earth can stop you. You may face some problems along the way to your goal--that is part of living in an imperfect world. But never give up! With My help, you can conquer any problem.

But don't just rush headlong toward your goal, trying to make things happen when you want them to. First, come to Me. Ask Me to guide you every step of the way, minute by minute. Let Me set the pace. Sometimes I may ask you to wait, or to slow down, or even to stop for a while. But remember, My timing is perfect. Trust Me and enjoy sharing the journey with Me.

Read on your own... Romans 8:31; Psalm 46:1-3; Luke 1:37" (1) 

(1) Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions For Kids - Sarah Young

http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Calling-365-Devotions-Kids/dp/1400316340

Go GREEN!

A couple months ago my hubby bought some Matcha... I thought to myself "oh great another gross thing I have to consume because it's good for me!"

I like to eat sushi often and usually I'll order green tea... most of the time it tastes like DIRT and I end up wishing I had ordered ice tea or just plain ol' water.

Well to my surprise Matcha doesn't taste like dirt... it's really good and it's really good for you... WINNING! Haaaa!

SOO what is Matcha and why is it good for you?

Well Matcha is finely ground whole green tea leaves. You’re actually consuming the tea leaf itself instead of just steeping your tea with the leaf.  Drinking tea with whole leaves means you’re getting more nutrients & fiber.

Matcha contains antioxidant compounds called polyphenols that according to research aid in the prevention of heart disease and cancer.  Other benefits of Matcha are tension & stress relief, as well as, improvement in concentration and mental focus. Hey, that sounds good to me!!!

To prepare my "afternoon tea" (sounds fancy) I add a teaspoon of Matcha to my cup and pour warm (not boiling) water about halfway and I whisk till it’s frothy. Next, I add a teaspoon or two of local RAW honey... stirring till melted. Then I add warm or room temperature water to fill the cup... it is important not to add water that is too hot of a temperature because it will compromise the healthy enzymes in both the green tea and raw honey. (Also, never microwave honey - it will kill the enzymes as well)

Matcha is a Japanese tea that is available in the United States now. My husband bought ours online but with it gaining popularity I’m sure it’s available in most health food stores.

Is Santa really real? - Zack (age 7)

So the other night at dinner the kids were talking about Christmas because I had purchased some cute lil placemats in preparation for decorating for the holidays.  Zack asks, “Is Santa really real?”  Uuuhhhh (I’m a deer in the headlights then I look down at my plate HOPING Brian says something so I don’t have to!) Brian replies, “You need to finish your dinner… eat your vegetables.” Pheeww! HAHA… that was close. He didn’t ask again so we lucked out.

I’m not at all opposed to telling him the truth about Santa Claus… it’s something I have felt conflicted with for a few years now. We were just caught off-guard and don’t know how to tell the kids without it making them sad!

The next day I told Zack’s teacher about this and she gave me an excellent book that we are going to read to the kids as a family tomorrow night. It’s called “Santa Are You For Real?” by Harold Myra.

I’ve read through it a couple times in preparation. It tells the story of the REAL “Saint Nicholas” and how he would secretly give gifts to those in need. Nicholas loved Jesus very much and he gave these gifts because Jesus came on the first Christmas to give himself. It goes on to explain that the real Saint Nicholas is in heaven now with Jesus and when we see Santa in a store or a parade, we think of Saint Nick.

Here is Harold Myra’s Note to Parents;

“Christmas, children, and Santa Claus. The combination often generates adult explosions against materialism. Why should children be encouraged to be so self-centered, so caught up with a myth that distorts Christmas into a pagan holiday?

Why indeed? I had always been ambivalent myself. But then I read about the historic Saint Nicholas. Even after skimming off the tall tales and adjusting for medieval exaggeration, he comes off as a rather exciting person for children to know about. It’s important to understand the roots of the Santa Claus phenomenon and how the original Saint Nick put the Christ Child clearly at the heart of his Christmas.”

So from now on Christmas is going to be a bit different at our house… and I’m excited!

The story of Saint Nicholas reminded me of this Bible verse…

Matthew 6:1-4 -Giving to the Needy

1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

The holidays are going to be here before we know it!!!

It is my prayer for all of us to be blessed with a giving heart this holiday season... and that we can all put the Christ Child clearly at the heart of Christmas… just like Saint Nicholas did.

School Food... Fed Up With Lunch

This lady rocks! She secretly blogged a whole year of school lunches and wrote a book about it! So many parents have no idea what their kids are eating at school.

Source: chicagotribune.com
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-undercover-school-lunch-20111005,0,2935446.story?page=1
                       
                 
      
Mrs. Q's blog: http://fedupwithlunch.com/