We are lucky enough to have natural grocery stores cose by making shopping easier when trying to avoid certain ingredients. But, not everyone is! Today, i purchased several items at dollar tree that meet our criteria (no artificial colors, flavors or high fructose corn syrup)...hydrogenated oils are on the list as well. Now, that is thelist...you may have other criteria...all organic, for example. We are starting with this and moving from there. So what did i buy?
h.k.anderson peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets
minute maid juice boxes
luna nutz over chocolate bars
not too shabby for $6! Bought 2 of each!

"Cleaner" Food!

For 2012, one of our "resolutions" if you want to call it that is no artificial colors, flavors and no high fructose corn syrup! WE can do this. WE have done it before. Here is the challenge. For those of you without an "Earth Fare", "Whole Foods" or "Greenlife" close to you, how do you do this? And, I keep hearing, "It is too expensive to eat like that"! It is so not!!!! So, what for the things I find on a budget that fit into our food budget for the month. You can find items anywhere! I even found snacks that meet our criteria at Dollar General!!!!!

So, stay tuned!

New Year Coming

I can't believe 2012 will be here in just 2 days! And, it seems it will be over on December 21, 2012. So, I guess I need to make the best of this coming year. :)

My mother has found out some news that will affect her health and the coming year/years. Knowing this, has made me think about my own mortality. What have I done with my life? What do I want to do with my life? I'm thinking about a bucket list....Yes....I am OLD! I guess when you hit 40 and start realizing you won't live forever, you think about these things.

This past year has been very trying...But, it has made me and my family stronger. What will I do differently in 2012? I will only control myself and support those who need my support. That is my main goal!

Anyway, look for my bucket list. It will be some silly things and some grandiose things! But, I will start working on me and what I need to do to be the best me, wife and mother I can be!

Pot Roast with German-Style Gravy

I just made something so wonderful that I have to share!!!!

I cooked a London Broil in the crockpot like I always do:
place in crockpot, cover with water.
Press 1-2 garlic cloves onto the roast, place 4 bay leaves in the water
Salt and pepper to taste
Cook on high for 4-5 hours.

Well, I thought since I had some Spaeztle mix, I would add a German-Style Gravy. It is so flippin' good!

I mixed about 1 cup of the broth from the roast with cream of mushroom soup, added in a 1/2 Tbs of yellow mustard
probably about 1/2 Tbs of dill weed (I just love saying Dill Weed)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Mixed it well....and voila!!!! Awesome German-Style Gravy for the Roast!

Next time I'll in some baby Portabella Mushrooms!

So, it smells like a German restaurant today! I love it!!!!!!

Who do I want to be?

So, who do I want to be? I want to be me...That sounds just so flippin' cheesy! But, it is true! I want to wear flowy dresses, have bright red hair, laugh too loudly, be whomever I want to be! But, who am I now. I'm a mom to 2 great boys, a wife to my BEST friend, a caretaker, a housekeeper, a trainer, an employee....But, who am I? Can anyone really answer that? What makes me happy? What can I do to become happier, less stressed? I think honesty is the answer! My husband and I have been talking a lot about this. Even if it is scary, life is too short not to be honest with yourself. So, that is where I am. As scary as it is, I am not Wonder Woman! I am not all things to all people, and I'm going to screw up royally....a lot!

I'm in the process of taking an inventory of my life. What makes me happy? What do I enjoy? So, keep watching to find out how this unfolds! :)

Thanksgiving and Christmas Already...Stress Free?!

I can't believe it is already Thanksgiving...then...you know what is next...Christmas! Are you ready? What does it mean to be ready for the holidays? I'm interested to know what it means to everyone. I would LOVE to alleviate some stress this holiday season. I would love to know, honestly, what everyone does to help with this situation. I want this holiday to be as stress-free as possible! Is that possible?!

It Has Been a Long Time!

Wow! It has been a long time since I was here! So...So...So...Much has happened over the summer. I am no longer a stay at home mom who homeschools. I'm a working mom with a child in Elementary School! And, all is going well! I want to get the blog going again....Talk about my world...My life...Ideas, etc.

I have started a Facebook Group for Working Moms:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/chattworkingmoms/

Feel free to share, join...Talk about...