HawksNest!

First thing this morning Haddie got a little kitty massage. Woosaw has sure come around now that she trusts Sakari is gone.

My brunch today...pretty good for 102 calories and 3 grams of fat for 2.

You need: 

 2 3/4 cups of quick oats 

4 banana's, mashed 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

2/3 cup chocolate chips 

1/2 cup coconut 

 Directions: 

 Oven to 350...nonstick cookie sheets ready. 

 Mix it all together, roll about 2 tablespoons worth of dough into a ball, bake for 10-12 minutes...until the bottoms start to turn golden. Enjoy!

Sunday is the big game...the kiddos helped me do a little decorating for our Super Bowl party :)

12th Man...we'll be hooting and hollering that is for sure!

We are expecting 2-3 other kids and 8-10 adults at our party. We hope to get the kids doing some crafty stuff to keep them busy, you know while the adults are stuffing their faces and yelling at the TV LOL.

They worked for a long time on their 12th man decorations.

As much as I love Peyton Manning...there is no doubt this is a
 Hawks Nest!

Nice job guys!

I can't wait to get a start on some of the food and treats tomorrow! This is my first time hosting a Super Bowl party, so I am not going too crazy LOL, but Pinterest gave us a bunch of great ideas.

We made a lightened up strawberry shortcake for dessert tonight. One of my fave desserts, I love the biscuit part the most...but then you have the strawberries, ice cream and whip cream...you just can't go wrong :) It is only 267 calories and 8 grams of fat.

We followed the directions on the Bisquick heart smart mix box...just cut the sugar and butter in half, or more. Skipped making the strawberry sugary syrup too...yuck. Also went with the slow churned ice cream. Yummy!

The kids have started paying closer attention to the commercials on TV. They ask for stuff sometimes and you never know what they will go on and on about.
What my kids have learned from tv today....
1- We need a spin mop so we don't have to use an ordinary mop anymore. Xander especially said "Mom we don't want that old ordinary mop anymore" Hehehe.
2- TruMoo is nutritious and delicious....and has less sugar than regular milk. Jason went out to buy some, and the store he was at didn't have it, so of course he bought a regular jug of chocolate milk (obviously he missed the part about TruMoo actually being better for you...thankfully we NEVER buy chocolate milk...this is probably the second time in 5 years)....good thing the kids don't pay close attention to labels, yet. LOL!

Bad hair cuts.

We have had a Wii for like ever...for the last 3 or so years all we have used it for is Netflix.
Today I got the crazy idea that we should try introducing the kiddos to Mario.
They got super excited, we haven't allowed video games yet, my poor deprived children. They have seen others playing games, so they kinda know video games = fun. Wouldn't you know it, our poor underused Wii wouldn't work right. It works fine for Netflix so Jason thinks if he takes it to work and cleans it out it will probably be fine. This however ticked off 4 little kids, that is what I get for trying to do something fun. Hopefully Jason can get it working tomorrow..I feel bad, and I had actually gotten myself excited to play too LOL.
Before it konked out on us we got to see the start up part, oh how that familiar Mario song brings back memories :)

Hopefully it just needs a few years of dust...and probably pet hair, blown out of it. I really don't want to have to buy a new one.

Jason tried to do some hand and arm game with the kids to get their minds off the video game...it did not work.

So the only thing left to do was to give Xander a hair cut....and the "bad" day got a little worse Hahaha. Xander wanted a mohawk, then at a critical point in the haircut he moved. Oops. He didn't want Jason to just buzz the whole thing, so he is left with a crooked, uneven and small mohawk LOL.

My friend Jeana and a couple of her kids came by. They brought Jericho a Bday gift since they were not feeling well on his party day, and 2 huge bags of clothes for him too. The very cool RC car was a hit...even with Xan, who got mad because Jericho didn't want to share for the longest time.

I really can't say nice enough things about our friends and family...so many generous people in our lives, we really are very fortunate. Thanks Jeana...Love you!

As soon as she left, Jericho stripped and got into a cute pair of Elmo PJ's that he was given. He loves everything...I love that I don't think he is going to need a thing bought for him all summer. Woohoo!

Jericho let his brother have a turn, and together they were rallying it off of stuff LOL.

So cute!





































Dinner tonight was another "Skinny" one. Crock pot santa fe chicken.

Ingredients:

24 oz (1 1/2) lbs chicken breast
14.4 oz can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
15 oz can black beans
8 oz frozen corn
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
14.4 oz can fat free chicken broth
3 scallions, chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)
salt to taste

Directions:

Combine chicken broth, beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt in the crock pot.

Season chicken breast with salt and lay on top.

Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Adjust salt and seasoning to taste. Serve over rice, tortillas or baked chips and your favorite toppings.

It was really good...and 1 cup is only 190 calories and 1 1/2 grams of fat, can't beat that!

My little mans 3 year check up.

Jericho went to his 3 year check up today...and everyone got a shot today too, poor things. Jericho is doing great...growing, a bit, he is still smaller than the trio was at his age, even Lily LOL. He weighed in at 32 1/2 lbs and is 38" tall. The Doc is guessing 5'11"-6' we shall see.

They put us in the Princess and the Frog room. Lily kissed herself a frog, a few times. She then told us "this is useless" Hehehe.

So cute in his little robe. The kiddos all took their shot pretty well, of course Lily and Jericho were total rock stars. Xander was freaking out before we even got to the Doctors office, and Haddie started when shot time got closer. They both bucked up a little...this time they didn't scream bloody murder or move and get themselves cut by the needle.

This was the triplets 10th regular vaccine, since starting them off at 2, they are 5 1/2 years old. I can't believe so many babies have more this (12 to be exact) before they are 5 MONTHS old. I am a believer in vaccines, I think they do have a place, but wow...that is just too much too soon in such little bodies with brand new systems. Jericho we started at 1...since he does have older siblings that are in activities (preK, sports etc) today was his 6th regular vaccine.

Tonight's dinner was a new one for us..."Skinny" Tuna noodle casserole. We all loved it, the girls didn't love the mushrooms...they have to find something to be picky about you know.

Ingredients:

6 oz no-yolk noodles (Ronzoni Healthy Harvest, or brown rice pasta for gluten free)
1 tbsp butter
1 medium onion, minced fine
3 tbsp flour (gluten free use rice flour)
1 3/4 cups fat free chicken broth
1 cup 1% milk
1 oz sherry (optional)
10 oz sliced baby bella mushrooms
1 1/2 cups frozen mixed veggies (peas, carrots, corn, beans) (thawed)
2 (5 oz) cans tuna in water, drained (we actually used shredded chicken that we had left over from something else...it was awesome if you don't feel like tuna)
4 oz 50% reduced fat sharp cheddar
butter flavored cooking spray
2 tbsp parmesan cheese
2 tbsp whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs

Directions: 

Cook noodles in salted water until al dente, or slightly undercooked by 2 minutes. Set aside.

 Melt the butter in a large deep skillet. Add onions and cook on medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and a pinch of salt and stir well, cooking an additional 2-3 minutes on medium-low heat.

Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly spray 9 x 12 casserole with butter flavored cooking spray.

Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until well combined, increasing heat to medium and whisking well for 30 seconds, then add the milk and bring to a boil.

When boiling, add sherry, mushrooms and petite peas, adjust salt and pepper to taste and simmer on medium, mixing occasionally until it thickens (about 7 to 9 minutes). Add drained tuna, stirring another minute.

Remove from heat and add 1 cup reduced fat sharp cheddar and mix well until it melts. Add the noodles to the sauce and mix well until evenly coated.

Pour into casserole and top with parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more cooking spray and top and bake for about 25 minutes. Place under the broiler a few minutes to get the crumbs crisp (careful not to burn). Enjoy!
1/6th of the dish is 318 calories and 7 grams of fat.

Meatless Monday.

Our Mickey Mouse waffle maker got a little more use this morning. I can't remember the last time I had a waffle, I didn't today either...but they sure smelled good. The kids ate 2 each...and I think a couple of them could have put one more away LOL.

I am glad when the munchkins wake up a few minutes before the grown ups all they do is play with their toys....and raid the fridge, I'm looking at you Jericho. I woke up to this...which kicked off a day of fort making fun.

I kinda suck at this fort thing....good thing they don't seem to mind.

Too cute!

Lily, oh my goodness Lily. This girl is a real kick LOL. She came out dressed up like Santa...ringing her "bell" so funny!

Tonight we decided to start up Meatless Monday's around here, we actually were supposed to implement this change last week but forgot...hope that doesn't mean this will be short lived for us LOL. I have gone veggie in the past, for a few months at a time. I love meat...even if I probably couldn't kill an animal myself, unless it was life or death, so I could never go veggie for good. Also I have never been able to get Jason on board, even for a short period of time...until I shared with him the history of "Meatless Monday" I didn't know all of it myself, but it is pretty cool.
 In case anyone is curious...here is some info I learned at http://www.meatlessmonday.com/about-us/why-meatless/

Going meatless once a week may reduce your risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. It can also help reduce your carbon footprint and save precious resources like fresh water and fossil fuel.

 Read about these benefits below. But keep in mind that just going meatless is not enough. That’s why we give you the information you need to add healthy, environmentally friendly meat-free alternatives to your diet each week. Further, if you do eat meat on other days, we strongly recommend grass-fed, hormone-free, locally-raised options whenever possible.

 Health Benefits:
LIMIT CANCER RISK: Hundreds of studies suggest that diets high in fruits and vegetables may reduce cancer risk. Both red and processed meat consumption are associated with colon cancer.
REDUCE HEART DISEASE: Recent data from a Harvard University study found that replacing saturated fat-rich foods (for example, meat and full fat dairy) with foods that are rich in polyunsaturated fat (for example, vegetable oils, nuts and seeds) reduces the risk of heart disease by 19%
FIGHT DIABETES: Research suggests that higher consumption of red and processed meat increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
CURB OBESITY: People on low-meat or vegetarian diets have significantly lower body weights and body mass indices. A recent study from Imperial College London also found that reducing overall meat consumption can prevent long-term weight gain.
LIVE LONGER: Red and processed meat consumption is associated with increases in total mortality, cancer mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality.
IMPROVE YOUR DIET. Consuming beans or peas results in higher intakes of fiber, protein, folate, zinc, iron and magnesium with lower intakes of saturated fat and total fat.

Environmental Benefits:
REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization estimates the meat industry generates nearly one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that are accelerating climate change worldwide . . . far more than transportation. And annual worldwide demand for meat continues to grow. Reining in meat consumption once a week can help slow this trend.
MINIMIZE WATER USAGE. The water needs of livestock are tremendous, far above those of vegetables or grains. An estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef. Soy tofu produced in California requires 220 gallons of water per pound.
HELP REDUCE FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE. On average, about 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef in the U.S. Compare this to the 2.2 calories of fossil fuel energy needed to produce one calorie of plant-based protein. Moderating meat consumption is a great way to cut fossil fuel demand.

Hey check us out, making life better and changing the world, one Monday at a time!
Today we decided that our first Meatless Monday dinner we would do a little homemade pizza night. Keeping up with our "Skinny" mission I found an amazing recipe at my BFF Gina's page.
Lavash flatbread pizza.
The girls have been excited for dinner all afternoon, they even drew up the recipe they wanted to follow for their pizzas. Hayden wanted a smiley face with hair..Lily wanted a heart made out of pineapples.

This is going to be good!

You will need:

9x12" lavash flatbread (Gina made 1 piece of the bread feed 2 people...we had one each, with no sides, but you can always keep it lighter by keeping at half)
olive oil spray
3- tbsp marinara sauce*
2 oz reduced fat shredded mozzarella
Fresh basil
1- carton of sliced baby bella mushrooms (opt)
1- green bell pepper, chopped (opt)
1- can of artichoke hearts, chopped (opt)
1- cup of baby spinach (opt)
1- teaspoon of olive oil (opt)

*We made her "Skinny" easy marinara sauce...
Ingredients:

1 tsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, smashed
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 small bay leaf
1 tsp oregano
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
salt and fresh pepper to taste

Sauce Directions:
In a medium pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until golden, being careful not to burn.
Add crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, and bay leaf. Stir and reduce heat to low.
Cover and let simmer about 15 - 20 minutes. Remove from heat and add fresh basil.

*****************
 While the sauce simmers...saute up the olive oil, green bell peppers and mushrooms...set aside. *******************

Pizza directions:
Directions:

Preheat oven to 450°. If you have a pizza stone, heat it as well.
Spray lavash lightly with oil then top with sauce. Too much sauce will make the bread soggy so don't over-do it.
Top with cheese add spinach, mushrooms, bell pepper, artichoke hearts then bake until the cheese melts, about 6 minutes.
Remove from the oven and cut into pieces. Top with fresh basil and eat immediately.

1 whole pizza will set you back 490 calories and 9 grams of fat. It was so good...one of the best things we have made from the Skinny Taste recipes. I know I have said that before, but this was really amazing. This is totally going to be our new pizza...and will probably have meat added, as long as it is not Meatless Monday. It was probably better than Papa Murphy's...and actually better that Papa John's too, and waaayyy better for you...by like a lot. The last time we had Papa Murphy's I had 3 slices of the pepperoni delite to the tune of 595 calories and 33 grams of fat...and the last time we had Papa John's, 3 'The Works' pieces cost me 945 calories and 53 grams of fat. Yup, won't be doing that again.

The kiddos had a great time making their own too.

Jericho, this is not a buffet...that is for the pizza LOL.

Xander and Jericho pretty much just tossed everything on their pizza...but the girls designed theirs just like they planned to.

My pizza...beautiful right?! I can't wait to make this again.

The kids dessert....their first taste of a fruit roll up. They were fans.