No, I'm not going vegetarian, at least not yet. However, since my body is adjusting to working without a gallbladder, I have to really watch my fat, or I'll get ill. The problem is, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE burgers!!! My wonderful surgeon, however, recommended the Morning Star brand Spicy Black Bean "burgers" because they are low in fat, but still leave that hamburger craving satisfied.
These things are GREAT!!! I really like them better than beef burgers! Emily even asked for one last night instead of a beef burger patty, because she likes them so much. We've had them several times now and I can't believe they are so low-fat and so incredibly tasty! Last night we had them with some salt and pepper microwave potato chips and I felt like I was getting such a treat.
We've also tried their Buffalo Wings, which are higher in fat, but delicious, and another brand's spicy chicken patties, which are great on a bun. If you're watching your fat/calories, you might want to consider trying some of these. One of my friends, who used to be vegetarian, has told me that Morning Star is her favorite, but to not EVER try the bacon substitute. So keep that in mind. LOL
Hmmmmm... I might consider going vegetarian if there was a good alternative for medium rare steak!!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The secret...
Okay, so I've been the only one who could get Drew to go to bed at night lately. Before now he just kind of ran until he passed out, much to our horror. A few weeks ago, though, I decided I'd had enough and attempted the Super Nanny's bedtime routine. That didn't work well, but adjusting it just a bit did. However, I've been the only one for whom it worked. LOL My family looks at me in awe and I think Stu has actually had to restrain himself from getting on his knees and bowing in worship of me. ROFL
Well, tonight I gave up the secret. You just have to make a deal with him! We say our prayers, I tuck him in, then I tell him I want him to stay in bed. He gives me a thumbs up and says, "DEAL!" Then I tell him I don't want him to talk, and he does the "DEAL!" thing again. Next I tell him I want him to go to sleep, which is met with... you guess it, his "DEAL!"
Yep, you just have to make a deal with him! Unfortunately my family no longer thinks I'm the "Baby Whisperer" ;)
Well, tonight I gave up the secret. You just have to make a deal with him! We say our prayers, I tuck him in, then I tell him I want him to stay in bed. He gives me a thumbs up and says, "DEAL!" Then I tell him I don't want him to talk, and he does the "DEAL!" thing again. Next I tell him I want him to go to sleep, which is met with... you guess it, his "DEAL!"
Yep, you just have to make a deal with him! Unfortunately my family no longer thinks I'm the "Baby Whisperer" ;)
YAY!!!
We have referrals for Emily, Josh, and Drew to see our neurosurgeon, Dr. Ellenbogen! We may finally get some answers! Brooke also needs to get her yearly MRI done in Feb, so Dr. E's assistant said we'll just schedule all four children for MRIs on the same day. Stu will have to take the day off, so one of us can stay with the boys while they are sedated and the other can go with the girls, who won't need sedation. This will probably all be delayed until February, but since it's been 6 months in the works, I think we can wait a couple more.
Thank you all for the prayers you've already said for us! I'll let you know when we have a date.
Thank you all for the prayers you've already said for us! I'll let you know when we have a date.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Baby Hanes
The ever curious - and argumentative - Drew brought me a sock and asked me what it says on the bottom.
"It says, Baby Hanes." I replied.
"No it doesn't!" was his emphatic response, to which I suggested he ask his daddy to read it.
Upon getting the same answer from his daddy, Drew became very indignant and yelled, "It is NOT Baby Hane's sock, it is BIG ANDOOS!!!" (That's Andrew, for any of you who don't happen to speak 3 yr old boy)
"It says, Baby Hanes." I replied.
"No it doesn't!" was his emphatic response, to which I suggested he ask his daddy to read it.
Upon getting the same answer from his daddy, Drew became very indignant and yelled, "It is NOT Baby Hane's sock, it is BIG ANDOOS!!!" (That's Andrew, for any of you who don't happen to speak 3 yr old boy)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Roasted Chickpeas
We also made these recently and I really enjoy them! I snuck some into the movie theater (shhhhhh) so I had something to crunch on while Stu was eating popcorn. I ended up having to give the three and five year olds their own container of them, 'cause they enjoyed them so much! The three year old carried his around snacking. :D I'm looking forward to experimenting with different seasonings.
We made the canned chickpea recipe, but I'll include both. These are also from fatfreevegan.com.
Roasted Chickpeas Two Ways
You can use different spices in both of these recipes or leave out the seasoning altogether.
Chili Roasted Chickpeas from Dried Beans
1 cup dried chickpeas
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon lime juice
Pick over and rinse the chickpeas. Cover them with water 2 inches above the level of the beans and let soak overnight.
Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Put in a pot with enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of the chili powder and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain. Place in a bowl and toss with the lime juice.
Preheat the oven to 400F. Lift the chickpeas out of the bowl with a slotted spoon and place them in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet. Stir after 15 minutes, brushing them with the lime juice remaining in the bowl. Repeat three times, the last time sprinkling them with the remaining chili powder and salt. When they are golden brown and crispy (about 50-60 minutes in total) remove from the oven . Cool completely before serving.
Makes 6 servings. Per serving: 125 Calories (kcal); 2g Total Fat; (15% calories from fat); 7g Protein; 21g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 549mg Sodium; 7g Fiber. Weight Watchers Core / 2 Points.
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Curry Roasted Chickpeas from Canned Beans
1 1/2 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
Preheat oven to 400F. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. Spray a baking sheet with canola oil and spread chickpeas out in a single layer. Bake, stirring every 15 minutes, until golden and crunchy, about 45-50 minutes. Cool completely before serving.
Makes 6 servings. Per serving: 72 Calories (kcal); 1g Total Fat; (8% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 14g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 180mg Sodium; 3g Fiber. Weight Watchers Core / 1 Point.
We made the canned chickpea recipe, but I'll include both. These are also from fatfreevegan.com.
Roasted Chickpeas Two Ways
You can use different spices in both of these recipes or leave out the seasoning altogether.
Chili Roasted Chickpeas from Dried Beans
1 cup dried chickpeas
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon lime juice
Pick over and rinse the chickpeas. Cover them with water 2 inches above the level of the beans and let soak overnight.
Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Put in a pot with enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of the chili powder and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain. Place in a bowl and toss with the lime juice.
Preheat the oven to 400F. Lift the chickpeas out of the bowl with a slotted spoon and place them in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet. Stir after 15 minutes, brushing them with the lime juice remaining in the bowl. Repeat three times, the last time sprinkling them with the remaining chili powder and salt. When they are golden brown and crispy (about 50-60 minutes in total) remove from the oven . Cool completely before serving.
Makes 6 servings. Per serving: 125 Calories (kcal); 2g Total Fat; (15% calories from fat); 7g Protein; 21g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 549mg Sodium; 7g Fiber. Weight Watchers Core / 2 Points.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Curry Roasted Chickpeas from Canned Beans
1 1/2 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
Preheat oven to 400F. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. Spray a baking sheet with canola oil and spread chickpeas out in a single layer. Bake, stirring every 15 minutes, until golden and crunchy, about 45-50 minutes. Cool completely before serving.
Makes 6 servings. Per serving: 72 Calories (kcal); 1g Total Fat; (8% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 14g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 180mg Sodium; 3g Fiber. Weight Watchers Core / 1 Point.
Microwave Potato Chips
This recipe is from fatfreevegan.com. We had them with dinner the other night and they are AMAZING and only have trace amounts of fat!!!
Microwave Potato Chips
1 medium russet potato
parchment paper
salt
optional seasonings: chili powder, Creole seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, etc.
Using a mandolin or v-slicer, slice one medium russet potato (peeled, if you like) as thinly as possible, taking care that all slices are the same thickness. Line the turntable tray of your microwave with parchment paper and place the potato slices on it without overlapping. Salt lightly and sprinkle with your choice of seasonings.
Microwave at full power--watching closely--until spots of brown begin to appear, about 4-6 minutes. Turn off the microwave for 1 minute. Microwave again at full power until the slices are golden brown. (Be very careful not to over-brown or they will taste burned.) Remove from the microwave and allow to cool. Repeat until all potato slices are cooked.
Salt and Vinegar Chips:
Dip each potato slice into cider vinegar before putting it on the parchment paper. Sprinkle with salt before microwaving.
Makes two servings. Per serving: 30 Calories (kcal); trace Total Fat; (1% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 2mg Sodium; 1g Fiber. Weight Watchers Core / 0 Points.
Microwave Potato Chips
1 medium russet potato
parchment paper
salt
optional seasonings: chili powder, Creole seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, etc.
Using a mandolin or v-slicer, slice one medium russet potato (peeled, if you like) as thinly as possible, taking care that all slices are the same thickness. Line the turntable tray of your microwave with parchment paper and place the potato slices on it without overlapping. Salt lightly and sprinkle with your choice of seasonings.
Microwave at full power--watching closely--until spots of brown begin to appear, about 4-6 minutes. Turn off the microwave for 1 minute. Microwave again at full power until the slices are golden brown. (Be very careful not to over-brown or they will taste burned.) Remove from the microwave and allow to cool. Repeat until all potato slices are cooked.
Salt and Vinegar Chips:
Dip each potato slice into cider vinegar before putting it on the parchment paper. Sprinkle with salt before microwaving.
Makes two servings. Per serving: 30 Calories (kcal); trace Total Fat; (1% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 2mg Sodium; 1g Fiber. Weight Watchers Core / 0 Points.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Still in awe...
About 6:00 Friday night, Josh came to me and in a very somber voice, he said, "I wish Jesus lived in my heart, Mommy!"
Mind you, I had a feeling this was coming, because he has said little things, and has been asking some questions over the last three weeks or so, that made me believe that the Holy Spirit was working on his little heart.
So, we spent some time talking about Jesus. We talked about who He is, about Him dying on the cross for our sins, how he rose again, etc. I made sure that Josh understood that Jesus died on the cross for JOSH, because he knew that Josh would be born and would do things that were wrong, and He wanted Josh to live in Heaven anyway. We talked about how He did that for all of us.
We also talked about how all we have to do to accept Jesus into our lives and have Him live in our hearts, is to pray. I then asked him if that was what he wanted to do, and he emphatically said, "YES!"
So, Stu and I prayed with our first son, helping him to accept Jesus into his heart and life, and confessing that he has sinned, but he knows that Jesus gave His life so that his sins won't send him to Hell.
Afterward, I asked Josh how he felt and he told me he felt WONDERFUL. I told him that now Jesus is living in his heart. He told me, "And when I die, I will go to Heaven... but not on a cross, when I get really old!" ROFL The way children think is just so sweet and innocent!
My son is saved! He is so excited to tell everybody! We called the grandparents immediately, and he can't wait to tell his teacher at church today. :D God is so VERY good!!! I'm so glad that both Stu and I were here for this very special, life-changing time!!
Mind you, I had a feeling this was coming, because he has said little things, and has been asking some questions over the last three weeks or so, that made me believe that the Holy Spirit was working on his little heart.
So, we spent some time talking about Jesus. We talked about who He is, about Him dying on the cross for our sins, how he rose again, etc. I made sure that Josh understood that Jesus died on the cross for JOSH, because he knew that Josh would be born and would do things that were wrong, and He wanted Josh to live in Heaven anyway. We talked about how He did that for all of us.
We also talked about how all we have to do to accept Jesus into our lives and have Him live in our hearts, is to pray. I then asked him if that was what he wanted to do, and he emphatically said, "YES!"
So, Stu and I prayed with our first son, helping him to accept Jesus into his heart and life, and confessing that he has sinned, but he knows that Jesus gave His life so that his sins won't send him to Hell.
Afterward, I asked Josh how he felt and he told me he felt WONDERFUL. I told him that now Jesus is living in his heart. He told me, "And when I die, I will go to Heaven... but not on a cross, when I get really old!" ROFL The way children think is just so sweet and innocent!
My son is saved! He is so excited to tell everybody! We called the grandparents immediately, and he can't wait to tell his teacher at church today. :D God is so VERY good!!! I'm so glad that both Stu and I were here for this very special, life-changing time!!
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