The Fresh 20

So as a busy SAHM, getting a healthy dinner on the table is always a top priority... most days.  Life tends to get in the way of me cooking anything other than Mrs Dash flavored meat, mashed potatoes, and some frozen veggies.  It is not that I don't enjoy cooking, I do, I love watching cooking shows, eating cooked foods, and even going to places where the specifically cook food.  It's just that I don't always enjoy doing the cooking myself, mostly because I suck at planning meals and then I am just too hungry to think about making anything new for dinner.  I have tried to be creative and I have bought tons of cookbooks, but usually unless there is a picture of dish I don't even read the recipe.  In the past I have tried to follow so online menus but it never really panned out for one reason or another.

Enter Groupon, my mother, and the Fresh 20.  A few weeks ago my mom bought both my sister and I a groupon for a year subscription for the Fresh 20: an online/email weekly menu planner that provides 5 dinners made with a shopping list of 20 in season, fresh ingredients.  You choose from classic, vegetarian, or gluten free menu plan.  They even have a lunch option too.

I love this plan!  First, I was able to buy most of the produce needed at the farmer's market for less than $20.  The meats I needed were easy to find and inexpensive cuts.  The pantry staples and few boxed items (like pasta, bread, and tomato paste) were again inexpensive.  Each week's menu has cost less than $75.  Second, it is so easy to prepare.  They tell you what you should make ahead on Sunday, and also you tend to make a marinated meat on Monday that you will use again during the week.  I have found that the directions are easy to follow, and well written, so even without a picture I am sure I am doing it correctly.  Third, I feel like I am thriving as a wife, mother, partner, and woman.  I feel proud of being able to put a healthy, tasty meal on the table for my family, and it feels nice to have my husband compliment me on my cooking (he has always eaten anything I cooked without complaint but now he raves about it.) I feel adventurous, cooking recipes I don't think I would have even picked off a menu to try, with ingredients I always thought I disliked.  Lastly, I love that if you buy an annual membership they give you access to the archives (back to 2010) for weekly menus.

If you are looking for a meal plan, for you or as a gift, I highly recommend the Fresh 20.

Here are some of the meals I have made so far:

BEER BRAISED BRISKET
Creamy corn potato salad w/ Fresh chives

HERBED RICOTTA PIZZA with SAGE SAUSAGE
Tomato & basil salad

BRISKET SLIDERS
Pinto rice salad with zucchini & corn

SUMMER SWEET CORN PASTA Bacon corn and parmesan

LOADED TWICE BAKED POTATOES

GRILLED CITRUS CHICKEN
Walnut pesto and sundried tomato pasta

SMOKY CHILI RUBBED CHICKEN
Braised greens & navy beans

CHICKEN TACOS Corn on the cob

TURKEY SAUSAGE JAMBALAYA

CHOPPED ITALIAN SALAD
With radicchio and cannellini beans

Update Soon

I have so many things I want to write about and so little time/energy to do so.  This week has been so hectic, stressful, and emotionally draining.  Here are some of the things I want to/need to/am working on writing about...
1. Life changes 
2. I have started a new dinner plan and we are loving it.  I have pictures to post of the meals.
3. My sister is pregnant and I am soo excited.
4. Jacob is growing and changing daily.
5. I still haven't posted about his first birthday party.
6. I am still doing the Eco Chic's July Upcycle Challenge.
7.  My mama tribe...I need to talk about their importance and how they will help me thrive.
8. My continuing fears of not pushing myself enough as a mother
9.  Fun Free Family adventures for the summertime

Ugh...so many ideas, so little time.  My mother would say that this is typical Emily behavior, that I also make everything more complicated than it needs be or I take on too much at a time.  She is most often right.  But I need/want to share these thoughts/experiences, so maybe I need to start setting time aside daily to write.

Oh well, in the meantime here are some adorable pictures of Jacob for your enjoyment:

#freefromtrash Challenge Day 5: Upcycle a Jug

Puffs' Jug Bath Friends


Today's craft was inspired by my son and his love of bath time (and puffs.)  He could spend hours just playing in the tub if you let him.  Whenever I walk through the baby aisles at the store, I always stop and look at new bath toys to keep him entertained.  Bath toys are a great way to distract him from grabbing shampoo bottles, pull up the drain plug, or standing up and trying to "jump in."  Let me tell you, those suckers get expensive; so with today's challenge I decided to make my own.

Now I know today orginially called for a milk jug but I husband took the recycling out last night without my knowledge; even after I told him I was going to need it all for crafts this month.  But I really can't complain about him wanting to clean up and taking out the trash.  So I will keep my mouth shut and move on.  Looking around this morning I realized that we had 5 empty puffs' containers in Jacob's toy box.  I salvaged the two least squished, and decided to make some bath buddies for him to enjoy.

Here's how:

Materials Needed:
Plastic (Puff) Jugs
Screwdriver
Scrissors
Permanent Markers

Remove the label, and cut the jug in half

Poke holes in the bottom to away the water to drain out

Decorate with funny faces (these are my most creative faces yet) I cut the hair into fringe for added fun, and I cut out the open mouth so water can pour through easily.

To Use:  Fill tub with water, add toddler, and give them bath buddies.

 This post is part of the Upcycled Crafting Challenge (#freefromtrash) that I’m hosting this month.  It’s part of a one month challenge to create from trash.  This challenge will hopefully open your eyes to the number of items that we still end up trashing every day that could be used by ourselves or our kids to create fun and useful items.

#freefromtrash Challenge Day 4: Upcycle a Phone Book

Phone Book Fun

So I don’t have a phone book.  I did but we used it a few months ago as packing material when we put half of our kitchen dishes and equipment in storage.  Since I can’t do a craft today, I will instead list some useful ways to reuse those bulky (and outdated) phone books.

1.     Packing Material: Wrap breakables in torn out pages when packing for a move or storage

2.     Pet Care: Line your bird/hamster/guinea pig/rabbit cage to protect from and collect poo.

3.     Paper Mache: Tear pieces in to 1 inch wide strips, dip in a mixture of equal parts water and flour, use strips to cover a blown up balloon, let dry, pop balloon, paint your sphere (maybe it’s an earth or a head or an alien spaceship)

4.     Fire Starter: Tightly roll several pages together (should be the size of ½ a banana) tie a piece of twine around the roll 5-6 times to secure, leaving a 3 inch wick hanging off, dip into melted wax, and then stay aside to dry.  To use: light the wick and drop into campfire, wood stove, fire place or grill to start the wood burning.

5.     Pencil Holder: Make this creative pencil holder I found on the Candoodles Blog

For more ideas visit Pinterest #phonebook; seriously some people must have a lot of time (and imagination) on their hands.

Do you have a fun phone book craft to share?  Let us know about it in the comments below.

Anyway, I am off to enjoy the holiday with my family,  Happy 4^th of July!

PHONE BOOK ECO-TIPS: 

To learn how to opt-out of receiving a phone book visit http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/opt-out.php

Check out this image/info-photo from White Pages Blog

Ban the Phonebook

This post is part of the Upcycled Crafting Challenge (#freefromtrash) that I’m hosting this month.  It’s part of a one month challenge to create from trash.  This challenge will hopefully open your eyes to the number of items that we still end up trashing every day that could be used by ourselves or our kids to create fun and useful items

Mommy's Daily Lesson: July 3rd

I started this post last night but fell asleep before being able to post it, so here it is, a summary of our day and what I learned.

Today was a busy day.  Jacob and I played a lot! We played with trucks, trains, shopping carts, the big red barn, and even sidewalk chalk (for about 2 minutes before Jacob walked back to the front door and started banging on it to go back inside; too hot outside today.)  We played airplane and horsey on mommy's legs, and chased each other around the chair giggling "tickle, tickle."   We read books, kicked the ball, and snuggled on the couch.  At several points, I would sit down or go to check my computer, like normal, but then I caught a glimpse of his face.  It broke my heart.  I could tell the he understood that I was going to "disengage" from him; not that I would stop paying attention, but that I would no longer be actively engaged in interacting with him.  Please don't think I ignore my child and play farmville all day or watch TV, but as part of my survival mode I used the computer/TV as a little break.  When he was a newborn it was keep me awake in the middle of the night while nursing or to research all my baby questions and my fears.  In the months that followed I left the TV on as background noise as Jacob and I sat on his activity mat doing tummy time or sleeping.  We would call my parents and sister on Skype daily just to talk. Also I stay in contact with family through gmail; not a constant conversation, but it was always open so we could "talk" if I was in need of some support.  I have never left Jacob alone, or even stopped talking/touching/holding him, but I would sit in one spot while he played and moved around.  With only having one room (remember we are still living the one-bedroom, 4 room total condo,) you are never really that far away from anyone.

Still when I saw the look on his face I knew he was feeling confused and hurt that I was “walking away” from him.  I instantly stopped turned around, scooped him up, and squeezed tight.  And whispered: “I promise I will always play with you first, any game you want, for as long as you want, as often as you want.  You are my first priority, the everything else can wait.  I am sorry if I hurt your feelings. I love you.”

The rest of day I stayed engaged with my son.  It was hard work at times; like after the 12^th I-cover-my-face-and-mommy-says-where’s-Jacob-and-I-pop-out round.  My journey is to thrive as a mother, and one of my goals was to try to be the best mom everyday.  Today: Goal Accomplished.

#freefromtrash Challenge Day 3: Upcycle a Cereal Box

Tissue Paper Picture Frame



It is late, so I will keep this short.  I didn't have any cereal boxes so I used a cracker box and a sausage box.  I upcycled them into picture frames for the fridge.  We always have family photos on the fridge and this just adds a little extra cuteness.

Materials Need:

Tissue Paper

Cereal Box (or any thin cardboard box)

Tacky Glue

Scissors

Magnet Tape

Using a photo to measure, make an outline

 Blue Line: Actual size of photo
Purple Line: 1 inch boarder
Yellow Line: 1/8 in smaller viewing window

Cut along PURPLE and Yellow lines

Cut a backing the same size

Use your original board as a template to make more

Using tacky glue and your finger (or popsicle stick if you are opposed to stickiness) spread glue around all edges, you want the glue to be as thin as possible to avoid bumps.  Make sure that if you are using a printed paper that you glue to the back of the paper.

Lay the board flat onto the paper and press down on all sides.  Then using the same method spread glue on the back side of the board and fold the paper down.  Make sure to fold the sides like you would if wrapping a gift.

Next cut an X in the paper, be sure to cut into the corners.  Again be sure to spread glue thin to avoid bumps.

Fold the triangles down, smooth, and cut off tips.

Now it's time to add the backing.  On one side cut about 1/8 in off so you have a place to slide your picture in.

Spread glue on 3 sides, be sure to spread the glue only on the outer half of the board (in the picture, I draw my glue lines, and then spread the glue up to the outer edges.)  Remember your viewing window in smaller than you photo so you need it to be able to slide in, if you spread glue all over then it won't work.  Let dry...this could take a few hours.  I put mine under some heavy books to help it flatten out.

Slide in photo

Add a piece of magnet tape to the back

Hang on fridge

 This post is part of the Upcycled Crafting Challenge (#freefromtrash) that I’m hosting this month.  It’s part of a one month challenge to create from trash.  This challenge will hopefully open your eyes to the number of items that we still end up trashing every day that could be used by ourselves or our kids to create fun and useful items.

#freefromtrash Challenge Day 2: Upcycle a Water Bottle.

Wave Bottles with Glitter

I didn’t have any empty water bottles I had to substitute a Coke bottle (thank you to Kluckers Pizza and my Husband for providing these oh so useful bottles.)

My upcycled project is one that I have made before in kindergarten/first grade; a wave bottle with glitter.  With almost hypnotic powers, a wave bottle is simply made with oil and water. I chose this particular craft because I thought Jacob would enjoy shaking the bottles and watching the glitter.

[I think I might actually be able to write a book about classroom/kiddos crafts using upcycled plastic bottles.]

Materials:

Empty, clean plastic bottle

Baby oil (clear…unlike vegetable oil)

Food coloring

Water

Hot Glue Gun or Superglue

Glitter *optional*

1

To create:  Combine Water and coloring until you get your desired hue.   Add glitter.  Fill the bottle the rest of way with baby oil.  Glue the cap on using hot glue or super glue (this way your curious toddler won’t accidentally open it make a mess.)

2

3

4

5

 

To enjoy:  Hand off to the closest toddler (or adult) and shake, tilt, turn upside down, or roll on floor. 

Seriously this craft takes minutes to create and entertains for hours. 

 

  After making the blue bottle, I decided to go ahead and make a second since I had another bottle and left over oil.  In the yellow bottle I used more water, less oil.  I also used smaller glitter pieces.  I think the yellow bottle turned out better, but Jacob seems to enjoy both equally.

This post is part of the Upcycled Crafting Challenge (#freefromtrash) hosted by Calley, The Eco Chic, and is part of a one month challenge to create from trash.  This challenge will hopefully open your eyes to the number of items that we still end up trashing every day that could be used by ourselves or our kids to create fun and useful items.  To find out more about the challenge and to see other projects click on over to Calley’s announcement post.