Kicking and Screaming into the Gluten-Free Diet - Day 0

Well, let me start this post off by stating the obvious - I failed miserably at keeping up a daily blog through December, and didn't even try in January.  Now that I'm back, I'm going to use the next 30 days to document my, and my family's, transition into a gluten-free lifestyle.

First thing you might be asking is: why are they deciding to try gluten-free now?  And my answer to that revolves around my 3 year old.  Maddie is about as fair as they come, and with that fairness comes a bigger probability that she will have allergies and other sensitivities (gluten, for example).  I've read a little bit about gluten sensitivity, as has my husband, and it seems that it can effect moods/emotions, as well as have a physical manifestation in the gluten sensitive individual.  Maddie has noticeably dry and bumpy skin on the backs of her arms (a possible symptom), which I have noticed before, but brushed off as nothing.  The mood/emotional manifestation got us thinking, however.  My daughter is a very sweet, very intelligent girl (I know you think I'm just saying this because I'm her mom, but she really is).  However, when she has a tantrum, she completely (and I mean completely) loses it.  We're talking trying to hit/bite/scratch/kick me and my husband (and herself!), throwing and breaking toys, and recently, peeing on the floor.  My daughter has been potty-trained since she was 21 months old, so this new development is just too much.  While I do realize that I am dealing with a 3 year old and tantrums come with the territory, we have decided to give this gluten-free diet a try to see if it will help her mood stabilize to make everyone in the family a happier person.

So today I did some more research and this weekend I will do some shopping based on what I have found. This website has been very helpful for those of you thinking of taking this journey. I will check in daily to let you know how the transition is going and to share any yummy recipes I stumble upon.

Turkey Soup

I realized last night that my meal plan, while lovely, is incomplete. I did not include the recipes for either my Turkey Soup, or my Quiche.  I unfortunately do not have pictures to go with these recipes either, but I will post them because they are yummo!

Turkey Soup

Ingredients:

• 1/2 diced onion
• 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 3 stalks of celery, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup frozen green beans
• 2 cups diced turkey, cooked
• 32 oz. chicken broth
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp dried parsley

Instructions:

1. Saute the garlic and onions in about 2 tsp of coconut oil (or whatever you have) for about 5 minutes.
2. Add in the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil
3. Simmer for about 45 minutes.

Easy peasy and delicious!  I'll post the quiche tomorrow!

Meal Planning

I have been making an effort to sit down every Sunday morning and plan out my meals for the week.  I have seen bloggers who are really committed and have lists of everything in their fridges and pantries and nicely compiled recipes, and maybe one day I'll be that on top of things, but for now, I take stock of what I have and go from there.  I hope to eventually be able to plan for a month at a time, but I live in an apartment, so for the time being, it just isn't practical.

Here is my plan for this week:

	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Monday	Oatmeal w/ fruit	Peanut butter sandwich w/ cucumber	Turkey soup
Tuesday	Oatmeal w/ fruit	Turkey soup	Quiche w/ broccoli
Wednesday	Leftover quiche	Turkey soup	Grilled chicken over salad
Thursday	Pumpkin smoothies	Turkey soup	Kale pasta
Friday	Cereal w/ banana	Sweet potato w/ broccoli	Thai turkey meatloaf w/ salad
Saturday	Baked oatmeal	Kale pasta	Leftovers
Sunday	Eggs, turkey bacon, and fruit	Leftovers	Leftovers

I have found that leaving Saturday and Sunday meals a little more open to leftovers and cooking whatever I have left from the week saves money and ensures I use everything that I bought in the week.  I do it in a table in Microsoft Word and print it out and put in on my fridge.  I use the meal table to make my grocery list on my phone and I'm set for the week!

Thanksgiving Leftovers

This year, my husband's family came to see us for Thanksgiving.  His parents have a summer home here, and they all stayed there, so it was nice to have everyone in town, and not overwhelming to have everyone at our home.  Because they were in from out of town, we got the leftovers!  By the time they left, however, we basically just got the turkey and some potatoes that somehow didn't make it in with the mashed ones.

I try to do a weekly meal plan and shop accordingly. It saves so much money and time and I find that I regret not doing it if I skip it for whatever reason. This week my goal was to use up that bird! I made some turkey soup on Sunday night and packed away 3 servings for my lunch at work.  And last night, I made a turkey casserole.  I neglected to take any pictures, but I will do my best to explain the casserole directions, because it was delicious!!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 tbsp butter
• 1 1/2 tbsp flour
• 1 1/3 cup milk
• 4 capellini mushrooms
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp herbs de provence (dried)
• 1/2 lb pasta
• 1 1/4 cup diced cooked turkey
• 1 1/4 frozen broccoli
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Thinly slice the mushrooms and saute with the garlic over medium heat until brown and wet-looking (about 5 minutes).
3. In a small saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter.  Add in the flour and stir continuously for about 2 minutes.  Add in milk and herbs de provence and whisk.  After the mixture starts to thicken, add in the mushrooms and garlic. Whisk until it is the consistency of cream soup.
4. While you are making your sauce, cook the pasta according to the box, drain, and pour into non-greased 8x13 casserole dish.
5. Cube the turkey and add it and the broccoli to the casserole dish.
6. Pour the sauce over the pasta, turkey, and broccoli.
7. Add in the parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, and mix until all ingredients are equally coated.
8. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the top and bake for 15 minutes.

Sorry again for the lack of pictures, but do not let that be the reason you don't give this recipe a try!

Elf on the Shelf, Part 1

Last post, as part of my 101 in 1001, one of my items was to blog for 30 days straight.  While the holidays are maybe not the best time, in terms of having spare time, I am going to try and make it for the next 30 days with a posting each day.  If I fail, I'll start over in the new year!

Last year my husband's dad's secretary sent us an Elf on the Shelf for Christmas, so this is the first year we have gotten her out of the box.  We got her out on Saturday night so that Maddie can enjoy finding her for the entire month leading up to Christmas.  Maddie named her "Mubble."  I have been scanning Pinterest for different ideas for our little Mubble and will be posting her antics sporadically.

The first night she sneaked into Maddie's room and got out her tea set and had a tea party with Dora the Explorer on my book shelf.

When Maddie found her in the morning, she was very distressed that the elf had taken her tea set.  She also accused me of doing it.  My almost 3 year old is already a skeptic!  I think she is now convinced that the elf moves on her own, because she thought it was hilarious that Mubble was on top of my moon stairway this morning.

I have a few more ideas, some seen on Pinterest and some of my own concoction, for the next few nights, so I will keep you posted with pictures of Mubble and Maddie's reactions.

101 in 1001

I actually heard about this trend from my sister.  It sounded really cool, and after looking into it on other blogs, I've come to the conclusion that it IS really cool.  I turned 26 yesterday, and this seemed like the perfect time for me to start my 101 in 1001.  I love the idea because it gives you enough time to accomplish your goals without the end-date feeling so far away.
I created this blog posting in its own page so I can easily mark through my items as I complete them and you can easily access my list for inspiration.
Here it is:

Challenge - write a list of 101 goals to accomplish in 1001 days (approx. 2.75 years).

Start date - November 15, 2013

End date - August 12, 2016

101 Things in 1001 Days

For Maddie:

1. plan a mommy-daughter day with Maddie
2. designate a guardian for Maddie
3. regularly contribute to a school savings account for Maddie
4. organize Maddie’s toys/room
5. teach Maddie how to get cereal for herself
6. teach Maddie to read
7. go to the Cape Fear History Museum and Cameron Art Museum
8. start her in lessons (ballet/soccer/music), of her choice
9. only buy her clothes from second hand stores (underwear is the exception!)

For Jon:

1. go on a weekend get away
2. go on bi-monthly dates
3. have a week night designated for us (late dinner, movie/tv show/game night)
4. workout together
5. read a book together and talk about it as we go
6. go kayaking together (in a tandem boat)
7. get cheese at the bar at the Melting Pot
8. take a ballroom dancing class together
9. get a couples massage
10. watch the Academy Awards Best Pictures from the years we were born (Jon 1979 – The Deer Hunter, me 1987 – Platoon)

Family:

1. organize family photos into an album
2. take more walks together
3. go on a family vacation (not to see extended family)
4. go on a hike
5. go Geocaching
6. move to MD/DC area
7. go visit my sister in AZ before she moves
8. plan and execute an amazing Bachelorette party for my sister
9. host Thanksgiving
10. develop and stick to a good daily cleaning routine
11. Send birthday cards to all brothers, sisters, parents, and grandparents
12. go see a movie in the theatres as a family (Finding Dory??)
13. send my mom and mother-in-law flowers just because
14. go see The Nutcracker Ballet at Christmastime
15. go to New York City
16. take my family to see my grandparents at their house
17. get a family portrait taken
18. go to a fair
19. start a fun holiday tradition that is our own
20. have a themed costume for our family for Halloween

Cooking:

1. organize recipes into accessible book or recipe box
2. have at least 2 meatless meals per week
3. meal plan every week
4. only go to the grocery store once per week to shop for weekly meals
5. get the recipe for Grammy’s oatmeal fingers
6. bake my own bread, at least once
7. cut coupons (not extreme, but just to save some money)
8. try my own recipes (and record the recipes) once a month
9. bake cookies for the office twice a year
10. grow a garden and cook with produce from it
11. bake a layered birthday cake
12. bake a cheesecake
13. eat breakfast
14. bring my lunch to work everyday
15. try a Pad Thai recipe
16. find a green smoothie recipe that I actually like
17. cook a duck

Financial:

1. pay off Jon’s car loan
2. pay off half of Jon’s student loan
3. apply for scholarships for Masters Program
4. buy a home
5. put together and stick to a monthly budget
6. save all our change for the entire 1001
7. put away $10 whenever I accomplish a goal on my list
8. save enough to cover 3-6 months of bills/rent/groceries etc.
9. start a retirement fund

Fitness:

1. start a workout routine
2. run a 5K
3. swim a mile twice a week for at least a month
4. do a color run
5. do yoga each morning for 5-10 minutes after waking up

Career:

1. graduate from college
2. earn a Masters Degree
3. get a better job (at a nonprofit)
4. become a notary

Misc:

1. learn to knit
2. write a blog posting every day for 30 days
3. read Atlas Shrugged
4. read 20 books *I would do more, but I want to get my Masters
5. get a pedicure
6. take a personal day
7. get my passport with married name updated
8. have a fire in the fireplace before we move
9. participate in 3 charity walks with my family
10. start recycling again
11. donate at least 4 boxes of things I have that I don’t use anymore
12. ask for charitable donations in lieu of my Christmas presents one year
13. keep a calendar up to date
14. have a lazy pajama day with my family
15. organize paperwork
16. buy a safe
17. sell some of my crafts
18. substitute tea for coffee
19. give all hand-made Christmas gifts one year
20. get a sewing machine
21. go to bed at 9:30 for a month
22. host a game night
23. make an address book for friends and family
24. do the 365 project
25. buy a lottery ticket (can you believe I’ve never done this??)
26. inspire someone else to write their own 101 in 1001 list
27. write my next 101 in 1001 list

I'm really excited to get started on my list.  I hope you are inspired to write one of your own!

Halloween Costume 2013

This year my sweet little girl decided in September that she wanted to be a butterfly for Halloween.  My mom always made my costumes from scratch.  I love this tradition and have always said I want to continue it with my children.  Last year was pretty easy, I had to do a little stitching to get the ears to stay on her lamb head piece, but otherwise I made it work with fabric glue.  This year, however, was a bit more involved.  I should also mention that I love to sew, so the reason I try and stay away from it is not that I don't like to sew or don't know how.  I try to stay away from sewing intensive projects because I do not own a sewing machine and the only person I know who does (my mom), lives 400 miles away.  And her sewing machine is one of those really ancient ones that is attached to the sewing table, so she couldn't even bring it if she came for a visit.

There is now the problem of how to make wings for my little butterfly.  I didn't want to just buy her the pre-made ones, so I decided to hand stitch a set of wings, and sew them to her shirt so she could flap her wings.  Ambitious, I know, but I wanted it to be special.

I started my project before I started this blog, but I will do my best to post step-by-step pictures and descriptions below.  If you have a sewing machine, it is an easy to replicate costume, and if you have time on your hands, sewing it by hand was not too bad.

I started by buying 2 square yards of fabric (pink and orange, per Maddie's request).  This made cutting the "pattern" easier.  I ironed out the wrinkles and folded the fabric in half, one on top of the other.  I used the black long sleeve tee to measure how far out the wings should span, drew half of a butterfly wing and cut it out from both pieces of fabric.

We decided that the pink was going to be the top of the wings and the orange was going to be the underside.  I cut out some geometric shapes from the remaining orange fabric and used fabric glue to stick them to the pink wings for some added decoration.

Once the glue dried, I spread the pink wings face up, and matched the orange wings face down to the pink wings.  Then I pinned all around the edges.  This is where the majority of the time was spent because then I stitched all around the edge, save for about an eight inch gap that was left open to turn the wings right side out.

After stitching around the outer edge, I turned the wings right side out and slip-stitched the opening closed.

Then I sprayed the underside of the wings (the orange part) with sparkly spray paint.  Before going to bed the night I made this, Maddie said, "Don't forget the glitter,Mama!" I made sure this sucker was glittery.

I then pinned the wings to the black tee.  The tops of the wings were pinned to the underside of the arms and I pinned the center of the wings down the center of the shirt to make sure everything was centered and stayed attached.

I stitched down the center of the wings first to better anchor them in place (plus it was the easiest part to sew!). Then I slip stitched down one arm from the center, then down the other arm to the center.

Finally, I used Elmer's Glue to outline the geometric shapes and cover the stitches down the back of the wings and added more glitter.

Add in some black pants and some antennae and she was good to go!

On a side note, she had so much fun trick-or-treating!  This was the first year we went and she and I are already looking forward to next year :)