Supermom Tip! Meal Kits

If your family is like mine, you have a few days a week that are extremely hectic.  Those are the days that we tend to run to things like microwave dinners, pre-packaged meals, or even worse - the dreaded fast food.  We all know that these items can be loaded with extra fat, sugar, preservatives, and sodium.  How can this problem be solved?

Robin Miller of the Food Network has the best solution I've heard:  Home Made Meal Kits.  The intention is simple:  Time saving and healthy meals for you and your family.

Here's what you do:

First, you chop all the veggies you need for separate meals.  Let's say you're making meatloaf one night, chicken stir-fry one night, and chili another.  Chop all the onions you need and separate them into bags - one for each meal.  Chop all the celery, carrots, bell pepper, etc. and place them all into the "veggie  bags"  (you might not have ALL the veggies you're chopping in all the meals your prepping for.)  Once you have them all chopped and separated, seal up your veggie bags and set them aside.  

The next step is to chop/slice all your meat.  If you're using ground meat, take it from its package.  Now, put your meat into separate bags - again one for each meal.

The final step is to put your veggie bags into the meat bag - right on top of your meat!  It's okay - the veggies are sealed in plastic, so there's no need to worry about cross-contamination.  Now seal up your bags, and place them in the fridge or freezer to use when you need them (remember if it's going to be more than a couple of days, freezing is the best option).

The night you need to use them, pop them out of the fridge (or freezer - don't forget to thaw before use!) and right into the pan.  Since all your prep work is done, dinner only takes a fraction of the time it normally would!

Want to know more about meal kits?  Watch this video:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/sensational-stir-fried-chicken/451.html

I hate daylight savings time . . .

Why, why, WHY do we have this tortorous tradition instilled as an international "have to"? Why can't we just let God do what He does best? Now, I'm all messed up, my kids are all messed up, my husband is all messed up, I'm sure my fish are all messed up . . . and why? So that we can have a few extra hours of daylight? And the thing is, now when it's bed time the kids don't believe it because it's still light outside! "Momma, it's not bedtime - see? Mr. Sun still wants to play with me!" Uuugh . . . It's going to be hard to get them up this morning.

Five year olds and Soccer Balls

We're Kickin' It - "Pre-School" Style!!

These kids were so fun to watch. In between throwing the ball the wrong way, getting stuck in soccer nets, and pouting when they missed the ball or had to go to the "back of the line", there was fun and frolicking, and a TON of laughs!

This is Emily's best friend from school, Nathan. They were SUPPOSED to be practicing throwing the ball back into play by throwing it to their coach. Nate missed. He may have hit a bird or two, though . . . we're not sure.

My beautiful princess. She is loving this soccer thing!

Lance, Nathan, and Emily. We have no idea what Nathan was telling Emily, but apparently it was HILARIOUS because right after this picture was taken, they both started laughing hysterically.

The Rockets!! Boy . . . what are we in for?



Soccer is great fun. I never in 1,00,000 years thought that I'd be in this place. I always thought that I'd be alone and raising 50 cats by now. But God had other plans for me. He brought me an amazing husband, and granted me not one, but two beautiful children of my own. Not only that, but he blessed me with two "bonus" kids that are equally special!!

Thank you God for my blessings!

Oh the joys of child rear-ing (no pun intended)

Cute Picture of the Week

Too cute, huh? I love my kids!!

**WARNING**
This story may be TMI for some people . . .

So I go to use the restroom this morning and Jake follows me in to the bathroom. He looks at me, grins and says "shoo!" Then he proceeds to pick up a towel off the floor and reach around to try to wipe my bottom for me!!!

What a Goob . . .






Emily and I have a routine every morning. She gets up about 5 (after Ronnie leaves) and crawls into bed with me.


The other morning I go in to get her up (it was after 9!!). I said, "are you going to stay in bed all day?" Her response? "Hm . . . well, I was thinkin' about it . . ."
Lazy girl . . .

Aren't they silly???

Have You Been to Bowie Wal Mart Lately?

At the crossroad of 101 and Decatur St., right in front of the Wal Mart, a little old man stands. He is wearing a white shirt, black pants, and a tie. He looks older - like he's in his mid-late 60's. He stands there, day after day, holding a sign that simply reads "Need a Job".

I am not big on Beggars - I have learned from experience that they either use donations for booze or they actually make $50,000 a year in donations and are therefore, scam artists. But this one struck me. First, his appearance. Not scraggly (yet). He is well dressed and well groomed, considering the circumstances. Second his sign - Need a Job. Not, need money. Need a Job. And finally, his face. He looks so sad . . . He reminds me of someone that once had everything and then lost it all. I wonder if he's been affected by these layoffs. Maybe forced into retirement because of his age. He really struck me.

I've never met this man. I've never spoken to him either. Yet, I feel a draw to help him.
So, my friends, I am going to ask you all a favor. I am posting this on Myspace, on my blog (http://supermomblues.blogspot.com), and in an email to get the word out.
If you or you know someone that has work or of any place that might be hiring, would you please let me know? Better yet, if you live in Bowie or go to the Bowie Wal Mart on a regular basis, would you let HIM know? If you don't know someone, please forward this message to your friends, because SOMEONE might. And - Please pray for him. I feel that he really needs it.

Blessings and love to you all!
Jen

I am so proud . . .

Emily wrote her first letter to the president today. Well, as of tomorrow he'll be president. She drew a picture and dictated her letter to me then signed her name. She wrote:

Dear President Obama:

I like you. I like your color and I love you. I hope you will be a good president.

Love,
Emily

I put her name and age next to the picture she drew, then she asked to put a picture of herself in with it, so we did.

I was not an Obama supporter, but I am so proud of her. She made a decision on her own to do what she did. She decided herself who to support - a freedom that she, a child, would not have in other countries.

America is such a wonderful place.

Supermom Soapbox - Kidz Bop . . .

Okay so I got the urge to go and look up some of these songs that the Kidz Bop commercials advertise. And I have to wonder, why would ANY parent allow their children ages 5-11 (the age group the CD's are geared toward) to listen to these songs???

I researched 5 songs off the commercial - Pink's "So What", Kevin Rudolph and Lil' Wayne's "Let it Rock", the Pussycat Dolls' "When I Grow Up", Rhianna's "Disturbia", and Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold". I. Was. Shocked.

Lets look at these individually, shall we?

(Special thanks to MetroLyrics and KO Video.net for Lyric look ups).

1) "So What?" (Pink)

Okay, now don't get me wrong, I love me some Pink. I think she's a wonderful artist, extremely talented, and a strong woman. I do not, however, think her music is appropriate for anyone under the age of 15 - simply b/c of subject matter (most young kids just aren't going to get the lyrics). But this song is even worse than most b/c of not only subject matter, but language as well -

"I just lost my husband . . . So I'm gonna drink my money . . . "
"The waiter just took my table and gave it to Jessica Sim - Sh***"

Now, I don't know about you, but I would NOT let my five year old listen to this!!


2) Let it Rock (Kevin Rudolph featuring Lil' Wayne)

I don't listen to much R&B or rap, so I have no idea who Kevin Rudolph is. I do know about Lil' Wayne b/c he's been on some talk shows I've seen though.

Parts of this song are beautifully written, but should a young child be listening to it? No. First, it is beyond their comprehension. Second, again, harsh language is used. Third, other parts of the song are AWFUL (I wouldn't even listen to this myself):

"But it broke his heart, So he stuck his middle finger, To the world . . ."
"Yeah! Wayne's world, Planet Rock, Panties drop, And the tops . . ."
"I'm in here up like b***h what's up, Mechanic, me, I can fix you up, I can f**k you up, I can f**k you down . . ."


3) When I Grow Up (Pussycat Dolls)

Okay, now, to me, it's just disturbing that ANYONE would let their young girl listen to the Pussycat Dolls. I think they are awful role models for young girls - they teach them how to use sex and their bodies for manipulation and they also promote highly negative self body images. But that's another blog post . . . Sticking to the lyrics of the song here . . . Well I'll let them speak for themselves . . . :

"Now I've got a confession, When I was young I wanted attention, And I promised myself that I'd do anything, anything at all for them to notice me . . . "

"When I grow up, I wanna see the world, Drive nice cars, I wanna have boobies (edited version: Groupies) . . ."

4) "Disturbia" Rhianna

Now honestly, I really like Rhianna. That's why this song really shocked me. I was reading the lyrics thinking, ah, there's nothing really wrong with this one . . . until I got to this part:

"Disconnected on call, the phone won't even ring, I gotta get out, or figure this sh*** out, it's too close for comfort . . . "

*Sigh* . . . Oh Rhianna . . . I am so disappointed . . .

5) Hot N Cold (Katy Perry)

Now Katy Perry is another artist that I really like. I just like the grove of her songs. But, again, they are not appropriate for kids!! And this song is no exception. In fact, the opening lyrics state:

"You change your mind, like a girl changes clothes, yeah you, PMS, like a b**** I would know"

I am not trying to bash these artists in any way - I think they are all super talented in their own right. But their music is NOT appropriate for children!! And the creators of the Kidz Bop line of CD's, DVD's and Web pages are irresponsible for thinking they are!!

Okay, I know they are edited for children, but you know what? When I kid listens to a song, they want the whole CD - I know this from experience. And guess what. The CD's by these artists are NOT edited for children!!

Okay, I will get off my supermom soapbox now. Thanks for listening.

Mom-Liness Part Deux . . .

When I woke up this morning, I went into my clean living room. Sat on my clutter-free couch, looked at my neat coffee table and sighed in contentment. Then I went into my clean kitchen, admired the shining sink and clean countertops, and marveled at my clean stovetop. Then I made me a cup of coffee, drank it, and put the cup into a half-full dishwasher. And I smiled.

For the first time since we have lived in this house, the living room and the kitchen have been clean for longer than 24 hours. I have kept them up for 24 HOURS!!

Now, that might not seem like a big deal to any of you, but for ME - THIS is a MILESTONE!! My best friends, my husband, and my mom can tell you - housekeeping is not really my forte. But yesterday, I got on a kick. And you know what? It's STUCK!! Today, I have done laundry and actually put it away. I put the dishes in the dishwasher and wiped off the counter after breakfast. I swept the kitchen when I dropped something on the floor. In a nutshell - I have cleaned as I go today. And you know what? I feel GOOD.

Something about looking around at a clean house just makes me feel good. Knowing that my husband, who has worked hard all day, will come home to a clean house and have a minimal amount to do to help out feels GOOD. And you know what? I have more time to myself today. While Jake naps and Emily watches Dora, I have time to send out a couple of much-needed emails, look up some songs, and blog.

Wow . . .

Now I need to clean my bathroom. That won't take 20 minutes. After that comes my and Ronnie's room . . . now THAT one's going to be fun . . .

Cleanliness is next to mom-liness . . .

I am on a spree. I don't know how long it will last, but it's happening. I have cleaned my living room, done dishes, three loads of laundry, and will be doing my kitchen when I get back in about an hour. I will probably come back and write more on it when I get back as well. I am just so pumped!! You know, when my house is clean, I feel better about everything. Why is that? I can look around my clean living room now and just sigh in contentment. Not something I get to do on a daily basis. I just hope this lasts . . .