I am loving this new and healthy salad recipe.  Had to share!  Declicious!

Healthy Cabbage and Tomato Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

1 head small cabbage, sliced thinly
2 medium tomatoes, cut in cubes
1 C radishes, sliced
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp olive oil
2 Tbsp rice vinegar (or lemon juice)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp red pepper
2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Directions:

1. In large bowl, mix together cabbage, tomatoes, and radishes.

2. In another bowl, mix together the rest of the ingredients and pour over vegetables.
Yield: 8 servings   Serving size: 1 cup

Each serving provides:

Calories: 43
Total fat: 1 g
Saturated fat: less than 1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 88 mg
Total fiber: 3 g
Protein: 2 g
Carbohydrates: 7 g
Potassium: 331 mg

Hey Guys,

Another freebie I found! Pull Ups for potty training from Walmart.

Cool beans! It works… just tried it.

http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid71356.aspx

So, these days I have been trying to come up with more around the home activities that I can do with baby. I don’t want the poor little thing to get bored, LOL! Here is what I have been doing that’s been entertaining for him:

1. Taking him for a walk (He loves it, never gets sick of it and it completely calms him down; not to mention that I get the very needed exercise)

2. Blowing bubbles indoors or out (he is so facinated by them and loves to reach them)

3. Take him in the backyard with me while I water my potted plants

4. Take him to the Little Gym to build up his social skills (he loves the other little ones and they all seem to learn from each other)

5. Let him watch his favorite show “Sid the Science Kid” once a day (very educational and he has learned some great dance moves)

6. Let him watch Billingual Baby in Italian, Spanish and other languages

7. Listen to his Baby Einstein Classical Music CD

8. Put him in his bouncer

9. Play pen with his favorite toys

10. Belly/ Crawl time

Any other activity ideas? Whatever gets them moving and keeps them entertained. I am all about finding cool new ways!

Thanks!

Just wanted to let y’all know that I stumbled accross this free sample of kleenex with lotion today on the web. All you have to do is visit this link to claim yours. It is absolutely free! Hey, every little bit helps, LOL!

http://www.samsclubmemberservices.com/Events/Kleenex_LotionSample.aspx

Ok, so I realize that times are tough and we are all trying to pinch pennies! That’s absolutely understandable. I clip coupons, look for discounts and try not to spend where it’s possible, BUT… anyone’s husband have them on a budget? My hubby wants me to actually sit down with a spreadsheet and compute my monthly expenses! While it’s simple when you look at car note, insurance, mortgage, etc… it gets a bit complicated when you start guestimating gas, groceries and the occasional luxury item. I am starting to wonder if my husband is really trying to pinpoint any overspending on my part. Ha! He thinks he is sooooooo clever! While I adore my precious spouse, I am starting to feel like my every cent is being analyzed adnauseam. It is starting to… how do I put this nicely? Irritate me! Anyone else? Thoughts, comments, concerns? Am I overreacting or is everyone on a strict budget?

Something else I was thinking about that could save time and money is staying organized! Why is this? Because the more organized we are, the more time we save. We save time because we know where our “stuff” is. If we know where it is, we don’t waste time looking for it. And we save money because if we know where our “stuff” is, we don’t have to go out and buy another one. By the way, I am guilty of this myself, as the other day I purchased a can of ‘Family Off’ and could not find it the next day. I ended up buying another one. In short, it was a waste of money buying the same thing twice due to my disorganization! Now, for organizational and tidy tip #1.

• Make your bed. Sounds simple, but it really is easy and once done, it makes your room look more spacious and more clean.

• Have a garage sale. This is a great way to get rid of things you don’t need and at the same time bring in some extra money.

• Turn piles into files. Make a binder that has plastic sheet covers in it. Throw in all the mail that you haven’t sorted yet in each tab. Divide it by type of mail. I do this all the time. I throw bills in one, personal cards in another, coupons in another slot, etc., etc. This has helped me tremendously to declutter on paper!

• Purchase inexpensive plastic boxes or straw baskets for your children’s toys. This makes “toy keeping” so much easier! I just throw my son’s toys in them daily after each use. I have one for plastic toys and one for soft toys (stuffed animals, etc.).

• Take clothes to the local Salvation Army that you haven’t worn in a year! It gives you a warm fuzzy feeling inside and it also declutters your closet!

Well, that’s all I could come up with for now. Stay tuned for more tips for busy moms on a coming blog! Thanks for reading.

So, lately I’ve been thinking about things I could do to spend less time working on the house cleaning and cooking and more time with my husband and son. Here’s the one thing I could come up with: Easier meals! I’ve been spending way too much time in the kitchen trying to make semi-lavish meals on nice plates which only leads to more time in the kitchen cleaning. Any stay at home mom knows that we just don’t have time for that! We need to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with our loved ones! We can still make a simple and delicious meal at the same time! It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it can be good!

Here is one simple recipe that I just love and it is so easy! Try it tonight and you won’t disappoint!

Taco Soup:

1lb ground beef browned
1 can each: black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans
1 can whole kernel corn
2 cans diced tomatoes (you can get them with green chilies, but beware this can make the soup very spicy unless they are mild!)
1 can tomato sauce
1 package taco seasoning
1 package ranch dressing/dip seasoning

Add ingredients together in a crock-pot and cook for 45 minutes. Then turn to low and let simmer. Serve with sour cream, grated cheese, taco chips.

Now, here is a great simple chicken dish.

Lemon/ Garlic Chicken

8 skinless boneless chicken thighs, washed and patted dry
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
10-15 whole peeled garlic cloves
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 Tbsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place the garlic in a roasting pan. Lay the chicken thighs over the garlic cloves. Top the chicken with the remaining ingredients and season well with salt and pepper. Roast in 400 degree oven, turning occasionally until the chicken is golden and most of the broth/juice has evaporated, leaving only olive oil in the pan. Remove the chicken and garlic cloves from the pan leaving the olive oil behind. Serve the chicken garnished with the whole roasted garlic cloves and additional lemon wedges.

And Last, but certainly not least for the vegetarian readers, here is something semi-simple (I cannot lie to you; it isn’t as simple as the others) yet succulent!

Asparagus with Poached Eggs and Parmesan Cheese:

8 large eggs
1teaspoon of white vinegar
1 teaspoon of salt
2 bunches asparagus spears trimmed
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley
Ground pepper to taste
4 tablespoons coarsely grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Beat the eggs into 8 individual containers (ie: in paper cups)
Fill a large, low-sided pan with water, and add vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to a boil.
Now, bring a separate pot of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add asparagus spears and cook 3-4 minutes until crisp tender.
Remove asparagus with tongs and set aside.
Dry the medium saucepan and add olive oil heating over medium heat.
Add garlic, and sauté about 1 minute.
Turn off heat; add butter and swirl pan.
Add lemon juice, parsley, remaining salt and pepper swirling the pan again.
Add asparagus and 2 tablespoons Parmesan; then toss with lemon butter sauce to coat it.
Slowly pour each egg into the boiling poaching water; cooking 2 minutes.
Turn off heat, and remove pan from burner. Divide asparagus among 4 plates.
Remove the eggs from water with a slotted spoon, 1 by 1, blotting the bottom of spoon on towel to absorb excess moisture.
Place 2 eggs on each mound of asparagus.
Pour any remaining sauce over each serving and sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan.
Serve immediately!