Bento- Here and There in March

This day she had:
Apple Juice
Fresh Pear
Popcorn
Ham and Cheese Heart Sandwich

This day she made her own lunch, she had:
Sesame Sticks( She did not like these so they came home with a nibble out of one)
Grape Fruit Sauce
Carrots
Minnie Mouse Cookies-Brought home from Disney by a friend :o)
Ham and Cheese Sandwich
She took water to drink

This day she had an Easter-ish lunch:
Turkey and Cheese Sandwich
Tootsie Roll
Granola Bar(for snack time,she didn't eat it)
Cantaloupe and Strawberry
Popcorn
She took water to drink

This week she had:
Tuberz Yogurt
Water to drink
Roll from dinner night before
Carrots
String Cheese
Salami
Chocolate Toffee Bar

Menu 4-2/4-8-12

Monday:
Cereal , Egg Whites and Fresh Fruit
Bento/Fresh Fruit
Crispy Chicken  w/Corn, Broccoli and Tomato,Onion and Cucumber Salad

Tuesday:
Waffle,Egg White and Fresh Fruit
Bento/Salad w/Fresh Fruit
Baked Spaghetti w/Green Beans and Toast

Wednesday:
Scrambled Eggs,Pepper and Onions and Fresh Fruit
Bento/L.O.
Hamburgers  w/Sweet Potatoes Fries and Mixed Veggies

Thursday:
Mexican Egg Bake(Carry Over) Toast and Fresh Fruit
Bento/Salad w/Fresh Fruit
Southwestern Chicken and Rice w/Avocado and Salsa

Friday:
Muffin,Egg Whites and Fresh Fruit
*Birthday Party*
HM Pizza w/Salad and Fresh Fruit

Saturday:
Breakfast Burritos(Carry Over)
      ?
CLEAN OUT FRIDGE

Sunday:
Breakfast Casserole(Carry Over)
*EASTER LUNCH/YaYas BIRTHDAY*  Low Country Grill
       ?

2012 Goal Update

Three months down, thought I would update my goals for this year, and tell y'all how I have been doing. Going pretty good so far! :o)

House:

• Basement Clean/Organized- This happened in 2011, however, my Father-In-Law gave Big Daddy about 2 truck loads of Nascar items so they are taking up his side of the basement. My side got bombarded with toys and other "crap" after Christmas! This will be done soon b/c I can not get to my stockpile, and that my friends is VERY frustrating!

*We have worked hard down there and about have it cleaned back up, about 60% done 

• Garden- I have been talking about this for a few years now but I really want to buckle down and do this! When I was younger we had a huge garden every year and I hated working in it...but loved the food! We live on a hill and its very rocky so we may have to do some raised beds.
• Clean Windows- Obviously I don't do this enough for it to make the big goal list HA HA

Finances:

• Maintain $1,000.00 Emergency Fund-This isn't savings, this is the "Oh crap I need new tires,washer,glasses,etc... money."

*Done so far

• Add to "Family $"

*Done

• Pay down 50% of our debt- We do not have any credit cards, but we do have a few things here and there that we need to work on.

*We paid a big chunk of this with tax return...YAY!

Marriage:

• Date Night once a month...at least. Movies,Dinner,etc...

*We have got to go out together a few times with no kids...

• SHOW Hubby I love him more often- After 10 years together he knows I love him but I need to make more of an effort to show him I do, and to let him know how much I appreciate him working so hard, so I can stay home with Brother!

*Trying my best :o)

• 1 Weekend Get-away

Family: 

• Family Vacation
• Take kids to the park and play/picnics
• Sissy 2nd Swimming Lesson

*Done, 3rd lesson starts next weekend.

• Sissy Bowling

*Done, Birthday Party at the Bowling Alley! FUN!

• Visit the Titanic Museum
• Family Pictures
• Brother potty trained
• 2 weeks no processed foods

*We ARE eating A LOT less processed foods but we still have some things...

• Craft Projects
• Spend focused time with each kid every day doing what they want to do
• More crafty with Sissy's Bento/Including notes

*Been doing good with this, averaging 3-4 days a week!

• Pumpkin Patch/Corn Maze
• Christmas 2012- Buy through out the year
• Shadaracks Light Show
• Opryland Christmas

Personal:

• Sleep Schedule- I have to get more sleep so I can have productive days!!

*Some days are better than others...

• Start my day by getting dressed- Seems simple enough right? But no, there are many days where Brother and I do not get dressed until it is time to go get Sissy from school.
• Make a "To Do" list every day- At east 5 things...Laundry,Change Beds,Blinds,etc...

*Been doing good with this!

• Exercise/Lose Weight- Hope I can still do this with a bum knee :-(

* Late start but, Treadmill/Exercises for 1 hour most nights for 2 weeks! Have lost 5lbs so far...

• Read 12 books- Want more but at least 12!

*3 months in and I have not finished 1 book! BOOO!!

• Contact with Friends more- Need to put more effort into this as well!
• Girls Night- Hopefully a couple!!
• Cut TV/Computer time in half

*Been doing well with this the past 3 weeks! HaHa!

• 5 Pinterest projects

*I have done 3-4 so far(will post)

• Be positive/No yelling- I yell...a lot...I come by it honest but still need to tone it down...
• 2010/2011 photos printed and put in books
• Blog More/Make Blog schedule

*Trying  :-)

• Get Blog Button

*Anyone wanna help me??

• Make at least 3 recipes from the Ball Canning Cookbook- Strawberry Jam(with YaYa), Salsa, and Can Tomatoes
• Take more Pictures of my kids while they are kids....

*Doing good with this! :o)

• Have more Fun/Laugh more/Smile more- These things are very important!

Chocolate Toffee Bars

These are so good! Very rich, I could only eat half of a square at one time...

1/2 C butter, melted
2 C graham cracker crumbs (32 squares)
1 8 oz. bag toffee bits
1 roll refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
1 12oz. bag chocolate chips
1 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 T butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

Grease 13x9 baking dish and heat oven to 350.

Have the roll of cookie dough sitting out for around 10 minutes to soften up.

In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the 1/2 cup of melted butter, 1 1/2 cups of graham cracker crumbs and 1/2 bag of toffee bits. Pour mixture into the greased pan and press evenly until mixture covers bottom of pan. Refrigerate for around 15 minutes.

In a 2 qt saucepan, heat the milk, chocolate chips and the tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Stir frequently until the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Spread the mixture over the graham cracker crumb mixture.

In another medium mixing bowl, break up the cookie dough and stir in the remaining 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs until blended. Crumble the mixture evenly over the chocolate layer and the sprinkle the remaining 1/2 bag toffee bits on top.

Bake for about 20-22 minutes or until it's golden brown. Cool completely before cutting, probably around 2 or more hours.


From: Pillsbury

Menu 3-26/4-1-12

Hello! Hope everyone is enjoying this LAZY Sunday as much as us! :o) 

I am working on my coupons and trying to match them up to some sales. Then meeting a friend to pick up Sissy's birthday pictures(excited!) I think we may work on some outside Easter decorations after that if the rain holds off.

On to the menu..I have lots of ? this week because I am really hoping for some good weather to get out and about and not be home as much, of course if this doesn't happen I always have things in the freezer that can be whipped up pretty fast  :o)   So here is what we are having...

Monday:
Cereal, Egg Whites and Fresh Fruit
Bento/Sandwich w/Raw Veggies and Pickles
Balsamic Chicken and Roasted Veggies w/Sweet Potato

Tuesday:
Waffle,Yogurt,Egg Whites and Fresh Fruit
Bento/  ?
Stuffed Peppers w/Corn and Cauliflower

Wednesday:
Breakfast Egg and Veggie Burritos w/Fresh Fruit
Bento/BLT w/Fresh Fruit
Healthy Loose Meat Sandwich w/Brussels,Zucchini and Squash

Thursday:
Mexican Egg Bake,Toast and Fresh Fruit
Bento/ L.O.
Queso Chicken Pasta w/Broccoli

Friday:
Oatmeal,Egg Whites and Fresh Fruit
School/ L.O.
     ?

Saturday:
Breakfast Casserole
     ?
     ?

Sunday:
Biscuits and Gravy w/Eggs and Sausage
     ?
     ?

Menu 3-19/3-25-12

This little girl turned 7 Thursday and then we had a bowling party on Sunday! We had a blast! So glad we got to see our friends and family!

When we came home we stayed outside because the weather has been awesome here lately!

Now that y'all know why I didn't get my menu done yesterday and only just finished it about 5 minutes ago, I hope you will all forgive me for getting this up late! :-)  Ha Ha!

We don't really have a lot going on here this week but, here is the plan...

Monday:
Sausage and Veggie Saute w/Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
 *(Turkey smoked sausage)
Tuesday:
Banana,Egg Whites,Peanut Butter and Toast
Tuna Salad, Crackers,Tomato and Cantaloupe
Taco Salad w/Corn

Wednesday:
Yogurt,Strawberries and Waffle
L.O.s
Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joe's(Carry Over) w/Mixed Veggies

Thursday:
Oatmeal and Fruit
L.O.s
BBQ Chicken, Sweet Potatoes and Broccoli

Friday:
Cereal w/Fruit
L.O.s
Italian Sausage Rigatoni(New) w/Green Beans

Saturday:
Egg Muffin Omelet(New) w/Toast and Fruit
Quesadilla
      ?

Sunday:
     ?
YOYO
Meatloaf w/Taters,Peas

Menu 3-12/3-18-12

This week is my Beautiful Girls Birthday! 7 years old!! Time REALLY flys by! :-(
We have a few things going on this week for that and the rest of the week Brother and I are hiding at the house and not going anywhere unless we HAVE to!!  :o)

It is a BEAUTIFUL day here in East Tennessee so I want to hurry up and get back outside, so here is what we are having this week...

Monday:
Oatmeal w/Fresh Fruit
Bento/Salad
Tuna Casserole w/Peas

Tuesday:
Cereal w/Fruit
Bento/Sandwiches
Mixed Up Rice Dish w/ Broccoli

Wednesday:
BLT w/Fresh Fruit
Bento/YOYO
Turkey Pizza Burgers w/ Sweet Potato Fries and Brussel Sprouts

Thursday:
Peanut Butter Honey Toast w/Banana
Bento/Rainbow Pasta Salad
**Birthday Dinner**

Friday:
Smoothie w/Muffin
Bento/Beef and Bean Taco Salad
Roasted Chicken w/Roasted Mixed Veggies

Saturday:
Giant Breakfast Cookies w/Applesauce
YOYO
YOYO

Sunday:
Biscuits,Gravy,Eggs and Sausage
YOYO
**Birthday Party**

Bento Catchup March

*Warning: Bento Overload.... I am going to catch up on some of the bentos I have packed lately.
I still try to pack at least 3-4 days a week, even if I am not great at grabbing my camera :-/
 I have been very lenient lately because I am tired of fighting the food fight...

So here we go! :-)

I saw this lunch box on Pinterest and decided to run it by Sissy. It was a hit! :-) She decided she wanted to try this for a while instead of regular bento box.

This day she had:
Apple Juice
Carrots,Grapes and Cheese
Pretzels w/Pepperoni
Apples
Marshmallows

Horizon Tuberz Yogurt
Water
Cutie
Cheese and Ham
Mini Saltine Crackers
Candy Hearts

Horizon Chocolate Milk
Cutie
Ham and Cheese
Roll(with Sissys Art work)
M&Ms

Horizon Tuberz Yogurt
Apple Juice
Cutie
Pretzels
Ham and Cheese Sandwich
M&Ms

Horizon Tuberz Yogurt
Apple Juice
Turkey Sandwich
Grapes
Dried Cranberries
Goldfish

Apple
Cheese
Carrots
Ham
Wheat Thins
Raisins
Kids Z bar
Cashews

Horizon Tuberz Yogurt
Banana
Marshmallow Hearts
Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Applesauce
She took water to drink

Horizon Tuberz Yogurt
Yum Yum Pudding
Pretzels
Ham Sandwich
Apple
She took water to drink

Banana
Panera Asiago Cheese Bread
Salami
String Cheese
Peanut Butter
Chocolate
Graham Crackers
Apple Juice

Fig Newtons
Chocolate
Hawiaan Roll
Carrots
Leftover Chicken w/Ketchup in the Monkey container
She took water to drink


How about a couple Toddler lunches?

This day Brother had:
Pears
Cheese
Smoked Sausage
Corn
Dried Cranberries
Goldfish
He had Water to drink

Pears
Cheese
Smoked Sausage
Tomato
Cucumber
Graham Cracker
Mini Saltine Crackers

Tomato
Cucumber
Pears
Tuna Salad
Wheat Thins
Water to drink

Brother LOVES Yogurt and Apples :-)

Smashed Red Potatoes

Here is what you will need

Red Potatoes
Olive Oil
Kosher Salt
Black Pepper
Chives

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add in potatoes, cook them until tender.

On a sheet pan, generously drizzle olive oil. Place potatoes on the cookie sheet leaving plenty of room between each potato.

With a potato masher, gently press down each potato until mashed. Brush the tops of each crushed potato generously olive oil.

Sprinkle potatoes with kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper and chives

Bake in a 450 degree oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Recipe from thepioneerwoman.com

Menu 3-5/3-11-12

Monday:
Cereal w/Fresh Fruit
Salad
Sauteed Chicken,Peppers and Onions, Brussel Sprouts and Tomato

Tuesday:
Banana Bread w/Applesauce
PBJ w/Carrots and Apples
Stuffed Pepper Bake w/Asparagus

Wednesday:
Veggie Omelet w/Toast
Lettuce Roll Ups w/Raw Veggies
FISH Night

Thursday:
Hard Boiled Eggs, Avocado,and Tomatoes
Tuna,Brussel Sprouts, Apple, Pickles
Bourbon Chicken w/Mixed Veggies and Rice

Friday:
Yogurt,Granola and Apple
YOYO
Fajita Turkey Burgers w/Guacamole and Chips

Saturday:
Pancakes, Turkey Bacon and Scrambled Eggs
HM Pizza and Salad
YOYO

Sunday:
Breakfast Burritos w/Fresh Fruit
YOYO
Ham,Taters,Peas and Rolls(Carry Over)