Maybe I can get to the GYM once this week?

If anyone at the JCC is wondering why there is a crazy lady working out in her business casual dress and gym shoes. I forgot workout clothes and since getting here is half the battle I decided an easy walk on the treadmill is better than nothing......

Sneaky Mommy

Shhh, Mommy has been sneaky.  Yesterday, I put kale and spinach in our afternoon smoothies.  After the kids drank them down, I asked what they thought the "secret" ingredients was.  My daughter guessed "Cheeseburgers", LOL.  I wanted them to appreciate eating veggies, but they are at the stage were they do not like to try new things.  

So, today I tried this recipe.

Avacado-Banana Chocolate Pudding AKA: ABC Pudding - sounds gross right.  It was delicious.  And had no added sugar.  A desset I can feel really good about giving to the trio.

1 to 2 ripe banana

1 ripe avocado

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

3 tablespoons of coconut milk (almond milk would probably work too)

Toss all this all in your blender, food processor  ect.  I used my blender and it was a pain.  I switched to my immersion blender and that was better.  Whatever method you use to blend it, mix it up well, you do not want unsuspecting children to see green chunks of avocado or they will be onto you,

Chill it in the fridge for about 2 hours to firm it up.  This was a huge hit!  And if you see my kids, do let them know how healthy it is.

Tea with Her Majesty

All it took was a hat and gloves from the dollar spot and target and I am have Tea with "Her Majesty" :)

Happy Superbowl Sunday!

Mom: Why are you guys dressed in costumes?
Alex: We are getting ready for the "Super"-bowl.
*I guess when you are 4, if something has the word "super" in it, then clearly it involves super-heroes! Wow, are they going to be dis-appointed when Joe Flacco is not dressed as Spider-Man

REAL Vegetable Soup

I have recently picked up about 15 vegetable soup cans at everywhere from Kroger to Whole foods.  I have even tasted 2 that did not have any funky ingredients but they all tasted well “canned”. The ones I have tried are totally devoid of flavor and veggies are a mushy bunch of ick!  So, I have perfected my own fresh vegetable soup.

Abby's Fresh Soup
Lots of fresh veggies
16 ounces of organic Chicken Broth
2- 8 ounce cans of stewed tomatoes (Read the labels, lot have added sugar! Yes, canned tomatoes with sugar!!!)


Okay, so start with the veggies.  Any veggies you want.... as long as they look fresh.  For this batch I went with Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green peppers, celery and a few green beans I had on hands.  Also, get some fresh garlic to cook with the veggies.

Next step is to heat up the pot. I like to use my Le Crueset cast iron pot.  I guess you could use some other Made in China piece of junk pot, but I am obsessed with my Made in France cast iron pots.
Now, heat up a generous amount of Olive oil and get it nice and hot.  Now, toss in your veggies.  Give your veggies a nice sear but do not over cook or you will have mushy soup, blah.  Now, add the broth and stewed tomatoes.  The tomatoes must be stewed one, but please read the labels. Most of the conventional ones have sugar added.  I have found the Muer Glen and the Whole foods brand to not add sugar.  So, the food snob here is telling you go organic.  Now, cook the soup on low for about 10 minutes.  Do not boil, you will get those mushy veggies again.

Serve, I like to serve mine with a touch of parmigiana cheese.  And the real stuff, not the stuff from the green shaker can.... Although, I think my kids would snort that stuff I left to their own devices!

In Honor of Martin Luther King Day

Yes, this Conversation just really happened in my house-
Me: I heard you learned about Martin Luther King at school today. He had a dream that people should be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin 
Alex: Um, if I am going to be judged by a character I want it to be Luke Skywalker, yup, Luke Skywaker.

Welcome to Neverland - big 4th Birthday Party

A few pics from our pirate and fairies party! All the kids got to dress as fairies or pirates. I had a blast making all the food (including the cupcakes and cake!). Tinkerbell even flew in from Pixie Hollow and her assistants made some the coolest ballon characters I have ever seen! Most importantly the triplets had a blast celebrating their 4th Birthday.

Birthday party Prep

Wow. I can't believe I am blogging about the prep for the triplets 4 th birthday. It is a Neverland Party of pirates and fairies. First food Project is out catch of the day! Which is Candy Sushi! Just rice Krispy treats, Swedish fish, and fruit by the foot.