Okay so you would think that after yesterday's ramblings I would have something really healthful and low-cal. Well, let me tell you - once a month I really really need something sweet and gooey and fattening and yummy. That time frame started yesterday. So, I made cookies!! Yes, I know. They go against everything I spoke about yesterday, but darnit, I am woman! I need sweets when my hormones are raging! So, anyway, I developed this recipe not thinking it would actually work, LOL, but it did. These things are sweet, caramelly, buttery, lacy, thin . . . okay I need one for breakfast now . . .
Supermom's Everything But The Kitchen Sink Cookies
Yeild:
A ton. I made about 20 cookies and only used about 1/3 of the batter, so I'm going to guess around 60 total.
2 sticks softened butter (I actually used Smart Balance's blend that has 50% heart healthy spread and Omega 3's added)
1/2 c white sugar
1 1/2 c brown sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 T milk
2 c flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnimon (my secret - shhhhh!)
1 bag simi-sweet chocolate chips
1 bag toffee bits (Heath bar makes some - find them right next to the mini-m&m's and the mini reeses pieces)
1 c walnuts
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until well blended. Add eggs and mix until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and milk and blend thoroughly.
In another bowl, whisk or sift together all dry ingredients. (I put them in the bowl and whisk them) Add dry ingredients to your wet ingredients and mix by hand until blended well. Add chocolate, toffee, and nuts. Mix well. BATTER WILL BE SORT OF LOOSE. DON'T FREAK OUT.
Drop by the spoonful (about a T for each cookie) on to a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 until slightly golden on top (about 5-7 minutes). If you find the bottoms burn, drop the heat to 325.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Diet Ramblings
Okay so, the diet is going . . . well, not as well as I had hoped. I have a ton of excuses, but none of them are relevent. Fact is, i WANT to eat better. I LOVE to eat well. I feel better, I look better . . . but I don't want to get anyone burned out. That's when "diets" fail. You get burned out eating the same thing over and over again. And that's where we're going to be at, culinarily, b/c that's where we're at, financially. We have enough to get by - our bills are paid, we have clothes on our back and food on our table. But unfortunatly, to eat the way I WANT to eat - mostly organic and vegitarian - well, that's a little out of our price range. We're lucky enough to be on WIC - without it, we'd be in trouble.
Another issue is I keep getting conflicting things from outside sources. Soy milk, for example. One source says to keep it away from children. One says to just keep it away from men. Others say it's good for EVERYONE, and still others say it's not good for ANYONE. So who do I believe? Which source is correct and which one is wrong? Another example is grains vs protien. One source believes high-fiber grains with limited amounts of lean protein is the way to go. Another says that high amounts of lean protein is ideal, and tiny amounts of whole grains are best.
I've done YEARS of research on nutrition. I know what's good and what's bad. I can tell you the top ten "super foods" and why their super. I can give you the lowdown on anti-oxidents and vitamins. I know what I should eat, and what I should give my kids . . . So . . . Maybe I'm worrying TOO much about it . . . Maybe I should just do what I think is best and smile at everyone and say "thanks for the advice" and go about my business . . .
I look every day at what people are feeding their kids. I see myself poisoning my children on a daily basis. Hot dogs, cold cuts, red meat, white bread and rice and pastas, pizza, fried foods. Why do I do this? Is it because it's easier than confrontation with a four-year-old? I try to teach her good eating, but she won't eat the good stuff. I'm lucky if I can get an apple or a carrot down her on occasion - forget about anything green. She won't even eat a potato that's not in french fry form. It's not for lack of trying. i've been giving it too her ALL HER LIFE - she STILL won't eat it. All those "experts" that say it takes 13 tries for a child to like a new food have never met MY child. If I give her the good stuff every meal, she won't eat. I can't stand to starve my child, and essentially that's what I feel like I'd be doing. Of course my parents don't help - giving her chicken nuggets, corn dogs, chips, and mac and cheese at their home. She asked for a salad the other day, and I thought my jaw would drop. Then she got mad b/c I wouldn't put crutons or bacos on it. That's all she wanted. Not the salad. The crutons and bacos.
And then there's my hubby. Bless him, I know for a fact he wants to get as healthy as I do. He will eat whatever I put in front of him. But then, I know what he desires from the kitchen. He likes shrimp. Fried. He likes chicken. Fried. He likes fish. Fried . . . well I can get him to eat roasted or grilled chicken. Dark meat chicken. He doesn't like white meat.
So where does that leave me? I am so tired of looking at myself in the mirror. All I see is fat. I disgust myself. And I refuse to make two meals. So . . . now what?
Another issue is I keep getting conflicting things from outside sources. Soy milk, for example. One source says to keep it away from children. One says to just keep it away from men. Others say it's good for EVERYONE, and still others say it's not good for ANYONE. So who do I believe? Which source is correct and which one is wrong? Another example is grains vs protien. One source believes high-fiber grains with limited amounts of lean protein is the way to go. Another says that high amounts of lean protein is ideal, and tiny amounts of whole grains are best.
I've done YEARS of research on nutrition. I know what's good and what's bad. I can tell you the top ten "super foods" and why their super. I can give you the lowdown on anti-oxidents and vitamins. I know what I should eat, and what I should give my kids . . . So . . . Maybe I'm worrying TOO much about it . . . Maybe I should just do what I think is best and smile at everyone and say "thanks for the advice" and go about my business . . .
I look every day at what people are feeding their kids. I see myself poisoning my children on a daily basis. Hot dogs, cold cuts, red meat, white bread and rice and pastas, pizza, fried foods. Why do I do this? Is it because it's easier than confrontation with a four-year-old? I try to teach her good eating, but she won't eat the good stuff. I'm lucky if I can get an apple or a carrot down her on occasion - forget about anything green. She won't even eat a potato that's not in french fry form. It's not for lack of trying. i've been giving it too her ALL HER LIFE - she STILL won't eat it. All those "experts" that say it takes 13 tries for a child to like a new food have never met MY child. If I give her the good stuff every meal, she won't eat. I can't stand to starve my child, and essentially that's what I feel like I'd be doing. Of course my parents don't help - giving her chicken nuggets, corn dogs, chips, and mac and cheese at their home. She asked for a salad the other day, and I thought my jaw would drop. Then she got mad b/c I wouldn't put crutons or bacos on it. That's all she wanted. Not the salad. The crutons and bacos.
And then there's my hubby. Bless him, I know for a fact he wants to get as healthy as I do. He will eat whatever I put in front of him. But then, I know what he desires from the kitchen. He likes shrimp. Fried. He likes chicken. Fried. He likes fish. Fried . . . well I can get him to eat roasted or grilled chicken. Dark meat chicken. He doesn't like white meat.
So where does that leave me? I am so tired of looking at myself in the mirror. All I see is fat. I disgust myself. And I refuse to make two meals. So . . . now what?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The End Is Near! (Not a Religious Statement)
I went to TWU yesterday to see about changing majors. Well, needless to say, if I had stayed on my current track, I would have finished in May 2010, with the way TWU's scheduling system goes. But, after talking to a wonderful advisor, filing some paperwork at the registrar's office, and going over schedules, it is done!! I am no longer an English major, I am now a General Studies major. I am no longer graduating in 2010, but now, ladies and gentlemen, I am graduating in MAY!!!! W00T!! That's right. 18 hours. That's it. I have three classes this semester, and three next semester. I am going to FINALLY do this!!
This brings me to a preachy moment. I have heard women saying, "Oh, i can't go back to college, I can't afford it/I'm a SAHM/I don't have the time/yadda-yadda-yadda" Okay, all those excuses are BS!!!! It took me 14 - YES, 14 years (by the time I walk across the stage)!!! I started in 1995. But I did it! Sometimes I could only take one class at a time. I had to take a few semesters off due to moving to Austin, legal troubles, pregnancy, wedding, pregnancy, baby, etc. It was slow going. But I did it.
So if you think it's not possible, think again!!
So, just FYI, the next person that comes up to me and says "Oh I just can't . . ." I will tell you to your face that that's a cop-out. Just be warned . . .
On a side note, after a week of feaver, night wakings, screaming, crying, rashes, diarrhea, swollen gums . . . we now have FOUR teeth instead of TWO!
4 nights of screaming $0, but really annoying
3 days of high (101) feaver $0, but a little scary
2 bottles of feaver reducer $8
1 case of roseola $0 - but unnerving for mom
Finally getting it all done and over with . . . until the next tooth, anyway?
. . . Priceless
This brings me to a preachy moment. I have heard women saying, "Oh, i can't go back to college, I can't afford it/I'm a SAHM/I don't have the time/yadda-yadda-yadda" Okay, all those excuses are BS!!!! It took me 14 - YES, 14 years (by the time I walk across the stage)!!! I started in 1995. But I did it! Sometimes I could only take one class at a time. I had to take a few semesters off due to moving to Austin, legal troubles, pregnancy, wedding, pregnancy, baby, etc. It was slow going. But I did it.
So if you think it's not possible, think again!!
So, just FYI, the next person that comes up to me and says "Oh I just can't . . ." I will tell you to your face that that's a cop-out. Just be warned . . .
On a side note, after a week of feaver, night wakings, screaming, crying, rashes, diarrhea, swollen gums . . . we now have FOUR teeth instead of TWO!
4 nights of screaming $0, but really annoying
3 days of high (101) feaver $0, but a little scary
2 bottles of feaver reducer $8
1 case of roseola $0 - but unnerving for mom
Finally getting it all done and over with . . . until the next tooth, anyway?
. . . Priceless
Friday, July 25, 2008
Hmmm . . . I need some chocolate.
Okay so I have come to terms with the fact that I am fat. Not just fat. I am FAT. I gross myself out. Thank God I have Ronnie in my life rather than some shallow guy that wants a stick insect for a wife. Sometimes I wonder how he crawls into bed with me . . .
So I have made a choice. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I make this choice once every couple of months, but this time I really MEAN IT!! Beginning with my next shopping trip, my family and I will be "clean eaters". No red meat. Very little chicken. Lots of fish, veggies, and fruits. A few whole grains - NO refined ANYTHING . . . I am even thinking very seriously about omitting dairy. Now, I know that would send Ronnie into shock, so I am thinking very hard about weather I want to go that route or not . . .
Theres a TV show on BBC America called "you are what you eat". The woman who does this show is named Gillian McKeith. Although I don't have this channel (yet) I have become addicted to this show. I went to this web site and printed out all the recipes. I am a little frightened, though. She uses things like star fruit and soy milk and courgettes - I don't even know what the heck a courgette is! And I know some of this stuff I can't even get in America, much less Bowie!! So, what's a girl to do? Well, I am going to buy fresh veggies out the wazoo, low sodium boullion, fresh fruits, fish, and soy cheese (I'm gonna try it, although I doubt the stuff they sell at Bowie Wal-Mart is going to be worth poop) . . . I am going to TRY to limit my soda intake (I drink diet coke all day. I'm going to try to limit them to three a day . . . note I said TRY on this one . . .) and drink more water, I will cook chicken once or twice a week - only when the kids are here, and even then, I will probably eat something else. I will try to stay as far away from red meat as I can . . . Although I can have chocolate!! Dark chocolate - the darker the better. Good thing I LIKE dark chocolate!
*sigh*
Poor Ronnie . . . He DID say he didn't mind eating vegitarian occasionally . . .
I hope this works. If not, the next step? Lap Band . . . ugh . . .
So I have made a choice. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I make this choice once every couple of months, but this time I really MEAN IT!! Beginning with my next shopping trip, my family and I will be "clean eaters". No red meat. Very little chicken. Lots of fish, veggies, and fruits. A few whole grains - NO refined ANYTHING . . . I am even thinking very seriously about omitting dairy. Now, I know that would send Ronnie into shock, so I am thinking very hard about weather I want to go that route or not . . .
Theres a TV show on BBC America called "you are what you eat". The woman who does this show is named Gillian McKeith. Although I don't have this channel (yet) I have become addicted to this show. I went to this web site and printed out all the recipes. I am a little frightened, though. She uses things like star fruit and soy milk and courgettes - I don't even know what the heck a courgette is! And I know some of this stuff I can't even get in America, much less Bowie!! So, what's a girl to do? Well, I am going to buy fresh veggies out the wazoo, low sodium boullion, fresh fruits, fish, and soy cheese (I'm gonna try it, although I doubt the stuff they sell at Bowie Wal-Mart is going to be worth poop) . . . I am going to TRY to limit my soda intake (I drink diet coke all day. I'm going to try to limit them to three a day . . . note I said TRY on this one . . .) and drink more water, I will cook chicken once or twice a week - only when the kids are here, and even then, I will probably eat something else. I will try to stay as far away from red meat as I can . . . Although I can have chocolate!! Dark chocolate - the darker the better. Good thing I LIKE dark chocolate!
*sigh*
Poor Ronnie . . . He DID say he didn't mind eating vegitarian occasionally . . .
I hope this works. If not, the next step? Lap Band . . . ugh . . .
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Don't throw stuff. Please.
I am voting for John McCain.
Now, before you start throwing things at me, let me defend myself.
Barack Obama recently took a trip to visit the troops in Iraq. He blew off the soldiers. He went into the officer's tent and played basketball. He shook a total of three hands while he was there. All three were high-ranking officers. One of the men tried to say hello to him. He completely ignored the boy and walked on. He said nothing to any of these men and women that are risking their lives so we can even HAVE elections in November. He was snooty.
John McCain went to visit the troops in Iraq.
He shook every hand that was given him. He told every man and woman he came into contact with thank you - and even hugged a few of them. He cried with on man as he listened to the story of how this man watched his bunk mate die.
So, before you start throwing stuff at me -
Who would you rather vote for? A man who doesn't care about the men and women risking their lives in Iraq, or a man who does?
Now, before you start throwing things at me, let me defend myself.
Barack Obama recently took a trip to visit the troops in Iraq. He blew off the soldiers. He went into the officer's tent and played basketball. He shook a total of three hands while he was there. All three were high-ranking officers. One of the men tried to say hello to him. He completely ignored the boy and walked on. He said nothing to any of these men and women that are risking their lives so we can even HAVE elections in November. He was snooty.
John McCain went to visit the troops in Iraq.
He shook every hand that was given him. He told every man and woman he came into contact with thank you - and even hugged a few of them. He cried with on man as he listened to the story of how this man watched his bunk mate die.
So, before you start throwing stuff at me -
Who would you rather vote for? A man who doesn't care about the men and women risking their lives in Iraq, or a man who does?
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Playing Catch Up
This past few weeks have been CRAZY!! I feel like I have been running around like a chicken with its head cut off . . .
So now I get to play catch up. I have a TON of blog posts to read, and a TON of blog posts to write, and a ton of responses to write! YIKES!
I did get my school schedule worked out - YIPPEE!! I have 2 classes on Monday and Wednesday and one internet course. They are all computer classes, so hopefully I'll do okay in them . . . *sigh* WHY didn't I choose History as my second concentration instead of Computer Science . . . Dumb Jen . . .
SO now I'm off . . . cookbook writing, blog reading, getting my poop together . . . I hope!!
So now I get to play catch up. I have a TON of blog posts to read, and a TON of blog posts to write, and a ton of responses to write! YIKES!
I did get my school schedule worked out - YIPPEE!! I have 2 classes on Monday and Wednesday and one internet course. They are all computer classes, so hopefully I'll do okay in them . . . *sigh* WHY didn't I choose History as my second concentration instead of Computer Science . . . Dumb Jen . . .
SO now I'm off . . . cookbook writing, blog reading, getting my poop together . . . I hope!!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Blogger madness . . .
Wow, has it really been that long since I blogged??? Yikes . . . what kind of blogging mommy am I??
You know, Mommyhood is the toughest job on the planet. I don't care what anyone says. Working moms don't have it easy, per se, but they get a break from their kids. Me? I'm lucky if I get out for 30 minutes to go to Wal-Mart or Brookshire's by myself. I don't have me time. It is impossible for me to have me time.
On a positive note - Ronnie and I are FINALLY getting a much deserved and much anticipated DATE NIGHT!!! Woo-hoo - Thank you Uncle Sam for the lovely stimulus check you sent us - it will be well spent . . . LOL. M. Night's "The Happening" at the Rave and chinese food at Red Pepper's - can't get any better than that!!!
Another positive - my best friends and I are planning a trip to GALVESTON!! Sun, surf, relaxation . . . aaaahhh . . . SOOO nice to think about. The thing is, I really would love it if our significant others went - we all are married, engaged, or may as well be (AIMEE, LOL) - and to be honest, I've never been a night without Ronnie since we were married. I don't know if I can take that - me and my co-dependency . . . But that leaves another problem - babysitting . . . UUUGH - why? B/C just two weeks AFTER that is TRF! This is where we dress up in garb, go camping, and play pretend for a whole weekend. And I am NOT missing THAT for ANYTHING.
So . . . I'm torn. I finally get the oppertunity for a weekend away from it all . . . and I am seriously thinking about reconcidering . . . what is WRONG with me???
Another side note - I have decided to write a cookbook. Yes, I know, I have been "writing one" for a couple of years now. But now, I am really going to concentrate hard on getting it finished! Thing is . . . who would publish me? Well, as Scarlett says:
"I won't think about that today, I'll think about that tomorrow. After all - Tomorrow is another day!"
You know, Mommyhood is the toughest job on the planet. I don't care what anyone says. Working moms don't have it easy, per se, but they get a break from their kids. Me? I'm lucky if I get out for 30 minutes to go to Wal-Mart or Brookshire's by myself. I don't have me time. It is impossible for me to have me time.
On a positive note - Ronnie and I are FINALLY getting a much deserved and much anticipated DATE NIGHT!!! Woo-hoo - Thank you Uncle Sam for the lovely stimulus check you sent us - it will be well spent . . . LOL. M. Night's "The Happening" at the Rave and chinese food at Red Pepper's - can't get any better than that!!!
Another positive - my best friends and I are planning a trip to GALVESTON!! Sun, surf, relaxation . . . aaaahhh . . . SOOO nice to think about. The thing is, I really would love it if our significant others went - we all are married, engaged, or may as well be (AIMEE, LOL) - and to be honest, I've never been a night without Ronnie since we were married. I don't know if I can take that - me and my co-dependency . . . But that leaves another problem - babysitting . . . UUUGH - why? B/C just two weeks AFTER that is TRF! This is where we dress up in garb, go camping, and play pretend for a whole weekend. And I am NOT missing THAT for ANYTHING.
So . . . I'm torn. I finally get the oppertunity for a weekend away from it all . . . and I am seriously thinking about reconcidering . . . what is WRONG with me???
Another side note - I have decided to write a cookbook. Yes, I know, I have been "writing one" for a couple of years now. But now, I am really going to concentrate hard on getting it finished! Thing is . . . who would publish me? Well, as Scarlett says:
"I won't think about that today, I'll think about that tomorrow. After all - Tomorrow is another day!"
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