On Nutrition…

 There is no doubt, when we eat foods that are good for our body on a regular basis, we feel better. No rocket science there…   If you put crap gas in your engine, you’re gonna get crap performance.

  With this in mind, I’ve been making changes over the years to my family’s diet with better health in mind.  Are there oreos in the pantry?  You betcha.  Frozen waffles for those breakfast quick fixes?  Yup.  M & M’s in the candy jar! And, we’ve got cheeses and pepperoni in the coldcut drawer.   I’ve never been an ALL OR NOTHING kinda gal, and that’s not gonna change with our diet if I’m being realistic.   Bottom line is, we all have to choose a method that we can respect for a life time commitment.  That’s why the fad diets ultimately don’t work! You’re not gonna eat bacon and eggs only or grapefruit  – forever- .   Portion control is important too.  My husband has struggled with weight issues and in the past has been a big fan of the Atkins diet.  He was very successful in losing weight on that plan, but ultimately the weight came back because it’s not a diet you want to be on forever, and it’s just not good for you.

   What I’m really liking right now is the smoothies I’ve been making, recommended by my friend Lynn, who has always been pretty health conscious.  She has the Vitamix blender, which is expensive, but does a phenomenal job.  I opted for a less expensive blender which does ALMOST as good a job, but not really. Especially if you  are texture challenged and want your green smoothies REAAALLY smooth. My husband saw the NutriBullet advertised on TV, and so we ordered it.  He is now making protien and fruit shakes too.

We are very pleased with it’s performance.  And, for $100, it’s affordable.  
(I’m not paid for any endorsements on my blog)

My favorite breakfast shake –
Greek vanilla yogurt, honey, flax seed oil, blueberries, bananas, almond milk

The green shake I find drinkable and good tasting consists of
a big handful of baby spinach, parsley, an apple cut up, half a banana, coconut milk
and a dash of lemon juice.
My husband has been using this livestrong app on his ipad to track his calorie intake…
I’m not a charts and graphs checker, but he loves it and finds it keeps him motivated.
http://www.livestrong.com/myplate/
I also did some checking up on the Dog food I feed my dogs…
and I will admit I do not buy the most expensive brands, because I’ve got four dogs,
one weighing 190 lbs.  We buy ALOT of dog food.
What I found?  The wet food I feed gets a great rating, that’s awesome.
The Dry food?  Not so much… at all.
Here’s the link if you are interested in seeing how well your dog food of choice holds up
in the nutrition department.
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/ 

Turkey & Black Bean Chili

Made this last night for my family – it was delicious! And good for you. I forgot to take a picture, forgive me for googling one instead.
 The recipe is a repost from a repost… credit to Mir and her friend Karen for sharing.  You can add to this easily, too… throw in some corn, some celery, shredded carrot!

Turkey and Black Bean Chili

4 strips bacon, cut into ½” pieces

3 lb. ground dark-meat turkey ( I used ground Turkey, not necessarily dark meat)
4 cups chopped onions  ( I reduced that a little)
¼ cup minced garlic
2 medium fresh jalapeño chiles, minced (ribs and seeds removed, if desired)
3 Tbsp chili powder
3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

4 tsp ground cumin
2 (28-oz.) cans whole peeled tomatoes in purée
2 Tbsp unsulfured molasses
1 cup water
4 tsp coarse salt
3 (15-oz.) cans black beans, drained and rinsed (I supstituted one can with Cannelini beans)

Heat your biggest Dutch oven over medium heat. Add bacon; cook until crisp and brown, 6–8 minutes. Raise heat to high; add turkey. Cook, stirring and breaking up meat with a spoon, until no longer pink, 8–10 minutes.

Add onion, garlic, and jalapeno; cook until soft, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cocoa powder, and cumin; cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 minute.

Break up tomatoes with a spoon or your hands (fun!), and stir them in along with the puree. Add molasses, water, and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer; cook, partially covered, 30 minutes.

Add beans; continue cooking, uncovered, until meat and beans are very tender and chili is thick, about 30 minutes more. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, cornbread, whatever.

Seriously good on a cold winter night.  I’m having leftovers for breakfast, yes I am.

A walk in the woods

I am determined to stick with my walking/yoga routine atleast four times a week. There is no doubt I feel so much better about just about  every.single.thing  when I am taking decent care of myself. When I slack off, I feel like I’m slogging through my days.  Something I have found useful –  A mantra I use when I’m about to eat something…. “Is this nourishing my body? .. or polluting it.”   
Yesterday, despite the dreary misty grey day that was supposed to be sunshiney and warm, I took Ben for a walk at my favorite State park. I am asked at least once on every public walk with this dog… How much does he WEIGH??… when I say 190 lbs… some folks back up a few feet, which is kinda funny. Yesterday a man said.. “but you don’t weight 190 lbs.”   Since this fellow wasn’t the friendly looking sort… I replied… “… I know, right?…” as if I wasn’t any more sure of controlling the beast than he was sure that I actually could.
 Enough said.
By the way.. if you have a dog that pulls when you walk him/her….
buy yourself an Easywalk harness… they are incredible.
Because of arthritis in my neck, I really can’t have a dog pulling on me constantly.
This is one of those simple products that works wonders, and it’s very humane…
no choking of the dog at the neck.

I love the old hardware on this cabin….

 

Walking is one of the easiest, cheapest and best forms of exercise you can participate in.
No matter what your weather, make some time for yourself and just do it.
I find that changing my location frequently gives me more motivation.
Even if it’s just a different route in your own nieghborhood. 
If you have state parks  within an hour drive, make use of them! 
Here in Connecticut we are very lucky to have access to many beautiful areas
for walking, hiking, biking…and kayaking!
But that’s for another post.
It’s a new day – make it a good one!

a Me-Me – for you too.

Weather Outside:  Foggy, misty, rainy morning. Mud everywhere and then some.

Breakfast:  Gluten free homemade waffles with gingerbread syrup.
(Stonewall Kitchen brand… WOW, seriously good)

Pondering:  Should I have let the chickens out to wander for a while? or are they gonna get lost in the mist.

  Also, why is Britney Spears still on the radar?  I feel sorry for her, I do.  Xfactor dumped her, and so did her newest fiance.  She doesn’t have what it takes to survive with sanity the world of entertainment, why can’t they just leave her alone to live a simple life and raise her boys in a healthy way.  Probably because she doesn’t want that either.  I find it very disturbing, the public crash and burn of some celebrities. They can’t seem to get out of their own way to save themselves.  And the vultures waiting to document it.

Reading:  January First – almost unbelievable and courageous true story of the Schofield family. Google Jani Schofield if you’re interested. I guarantee, you’ll never look at your own life the same again without a heck of a lot of appreciation.  Warning – it is disturbing and heartwrenching.

Current Crush:   Justin Timberlake and Phillip Phillips.  Yes I know they are way way way too young for me.  I can still appreciate that they are charming and adorable and down to earth despite their star status.  Hey, I had crushes on Paul Newman and Robert Redford and they were WAY older than me.  

Ok… your turn, in the comments section.

As it ever shall be…..

My kids find it humorous and most definitely annoying that I worry over their safety.
“Mom!! I’m 23!!!”… says she.
“Mom!! I’m almost 17!”…. says he.
As if that information nulifies any concerns I might have about their wellbeing.
I don’t sleep until my new driver son is home for the night.
Is that really so crazy? Thankfully, he’s mindful of his curfew and his worried mother.
I envy those who can fall asleep without a care while their kids are out and about.
My husband is one of those people.
Maybe that’s because he knows I’ll carry that burden for him.
I want a text after arrival if my daughter is driving in bad weather conditions to a destination
she is unfamiliar with.  Call me nuts, after all she is an adult. 
 But… it’s a courtesy I  will continue to request.
When my son leaves for school in the morning,
more often than not he hears.. “Seat belt! ..and don’t be in a hurry”.
There used to be the eye roll and  snotty verbal complaint.. MOM, I KNOW!!!
Lately.. he gives me a smarmy smile
and with a measure of cheer, says “Oh, OK!”.
And it’s really going to have to be.
Because it doesn’t matter how old they get, I will always be their mother.
The years don’t erase the care and concern created by
birthing and raising our children.
I’ve explained this to them, and they tolerate it for now.
But only when they have children of their own will they fully understand.
A few weeks back, my 72 year old mother said to my 47 year old self…
“I don’t want you driving down there alone”. 
I knew what I had to say.
“Oh, OK!”.  

Thank you!

  I appreciate your feedback regarding your blog preferences… I remember when I first started this blog I was so excited about the music feature.  Well… that gets real old.. visiting a blog and listening to the same music over and over again can turn a person right off.   I removed it as soon as I figured that out.  I’ve also never liked ads right in my face… we get enough of that in the outside world, don’t we?   I’ve been approached by companies who would like me to advertise on this blog, but always say no.  This is a place for me to journal the happenings on this farm and family.  It’s also an opportunity to connect and share with all of you.  And that’s all I’m gonna say about that –

OH.. one more thing.  So many of you leave really nice or hilarious or informative comments and I’d love to respond. However, you’ve got that feature turned off and so I can’t tell you how thoughtful your comment was and how much I appreciate it.  Maybe that’s for a reason, and that’s OK.   But if you are unaware and want replies to comments sent to your e-mail… you need to do this…

In blogger.com, open your Dashboard.

Click the down arrow next to your name and click Blogger profile.

Click on the orange Edit Profile button.

Under Privacy on the left, check the box for “Show my Email Address.”

Save changes.

Dog days Graduates…

 I’m sharing two awesome pics on FB of two Dog Days graduates… Actually, Charla (and sister Chelsea )were taken in by Lorin and Lillian of Dog Days, both pups suffering from neglect and demodex mange. They have their own label on the side bar there if you want to read more of their story.
Charla before and after….  
 She was adopted by Lillian, her foster  mom  (Lil is now one of us, a Foster Failure..lol) ….Here she is playing in the snow with  another Dog Days Adoption Event graduate,  Slider.  I think Slider and Charla like the snow, don’t you?
Some of you contributed to their medical expenses and I want you to see
what your generosity accomplishes. 
NOW.. inquiring minds want to know.
When you read a blog… what type of appearance is the most appealing to you?
If you read my blog often you know I’m always changing things up.
Maybe that’s annoying.  A dark background might be hard to read.
A simpler look is easier on the eyes. The pics take too long to load?
Let me know what your opinions are in the comments section below.
And thank you again, from the dogs 🙂

The Age of Aquariums

 Fish tanks are nothing new around here. The Mr. has a big Cychlid tank at his office and I’ve got my Betta tank.  Junior has for the past year had a five gallon with a goldfish he rescued from the parking lot of the Guilford Fair. He watched as a family disgarded their prize goldfish in a baggie..left it right on the ground in a leaking bag!  He scooped it up and put it in his soda cup and brought it home.  I bought it a friend, and they’ve been living together happily with the hulk every since.

A few days ago, Junior and a few of his friends were spending alot of time at the Petstore. When I inquired, I was told… “L is getting more fish, we’re just checking it all out for his tank”.
Ok then.
Another trip to the pet store.
And another.
Then, on a quiet football and Sunday Sauce sunday,
there was the sudden pitter patter of three sets of teenage feet
up and down the front hall stairs,
and back and forth from the garage.
There may have been a bucket and hose involved.
“They’re up to something”, says the Mr.
although he was not leaving the football screen to check it out. 
It is sitting on his desk, the one he is supposed to do homework on.
55 gallons!???
“BUT.. it was on sale for an unbelievable price, Mom!
And I PAID FOR IT!
And I will TAKE CARE of it!  PROMISE!”
Husband looks at me and rolls his eyes..
 and quips with the sarcasm he has mastered,..
“He’s just like his mother“.
As if that were a bad thing.  🙂
Very cool, very mobile snail…
African butterfly, which is not as aggressive as they claim.
He kinda just wants to be left alone at the surface of the tank.
The others oblige.
Sunset mollies…
Silver Dollars…
He and two of his friends now have rather large tanks in their rooms.
One is kind of an expert, their house has atleast six salt water tanks.
The way I see it?
A couple of 16 year olds are showing interest in taking care of living things,
learning how to be responsible for something,
and they’ve earned their own money to pay for it.
It’s all good.