Publix Apron's Meal

Yesterday I decided to take advantage of my Publix's Apron's Recipe of the day. I am sure all that live in Florida know what I am talking about by Apron's Meals. When we go to Publix there is a cooking station with copies of a highlighted recipe and then a convenient fridge with all the items you would need to make that meal. I got the meal recipe and then went to the case with all the ingredients and items and grabbed what i needed (some stuff I already had at my house.) In the past, I thought this would be a great idea but every time I glanced over the recipe, I would find ingredients I didn't like and decide not to try it. Yesterday I got over the ingredients and decided to make it no matter what was in it (even though it called for peaches and tomatoes; don't like peaches and only like tomatoes in spaghetti sauce).

Well, today I made the meal, Pork Tenderloin With Fresh Peach Salsa and Wine-Scented Rice! It was a hit! Daniel filled his plate up and bravely topped his pork with a good helping of the salsa - What Faith! I on the other hand, had my doubts. I put the salsa in nice 'small' pile and planed on tasting it. I have to admit, I did get more to finish my pork off. It wasn't that bad, I could swallow it! lol. My kids even ate the left over peach salsa by itself. Daniel really liked it and said that it was a great meal.

I didn't get any pictures of the process nor the meal but the plates were pretty and the meal was well liked by our family. The meal was ready in 45 minutes; by the time we would have made it home from a resturant, dinner was cooked, we were done eating and the kitchen was clean!

Who knows what recipe I will do next? I picked up a couple more meal plans. Some of them were those with less than five ingredients and some were meals under $15.00 for a family of 4. Who Knows? If I keep this up, I could be picked up to star in my own movie about my experience cooking through the Publix Apron's Meals!!! ...or at least a commercial, publix has some good ones :P

Toilet Cleaning Gels

work great......if you don't have 4 year old boy that uses them for target practice!

Take It or Leave It - Tip of the Week

Ok, so it would be nice if I started any weekly traditions on this blog - at the very least, posting weekly! Although the title lends itself to be able to turn into a weekly post thing - it is nothing more than a nice sounding title! At this point, I am not going to commit myself to any other social networking 'shenanigans'! I tried the whole "Mckmama Not Me" and enjoyed it while it lasted but a las - gone are the mondays that I blogged about things I shamelessly 'did not do' during the previous week.

So, Here is what you have been waiting for...
How to always be ready for the Gym!

These days I am a selective organizer! I slowly let some things go after having two children 16 months apart and fortunately, for my family - I am gaining ground on organizing things I had let go for the past 3 1/2 years!

Watch, now that I am saying that I am starting to get things all together - bam, I will be posting a picture of a positive pregnancy test in a couple weeks! Not that if I were to have a baby I would be sad - I am completely realistic in knowing that your life with newborns, toddlers is only temporary and I know to enjoy it, there has to be balance and perspective! I have the ability to have things well organized but found emotionally with two children I was better ENJOYING them more and being OCD less! My dad and daniel really planted this idea in my head. When I first had Kaylee, my dad would come by to take nathan to the park, giving me time with just Kaylee! The first couple times he came, I would be 'apologizing' about a messy room. He would always come back with, that isn't your priority right now and that is a good thing. Then whenever Daniel would come home to a 'perfect' house, he would compliment on it but always tell me that he understands how much two small children demand and would encourage me not to put too much on myself. Thankfully, he was a lot less critical of my housekeeping abilities then I was at that time - leaving one less thing for me to worry about whenever I didn't get something done.

Back to the tip...

One of the things I have been pretty consistent with in the past 3 1/2 years is facebook exercise and it is because, 1. I am a member of the YMCA and they have a great Kids Zone(which I know everyone can't go to the gym) 2. At anytime, I am ready to go to the gym.

I am always ready to go the to gym because, my gym bag stays in my trunk with a rotating supply of gym clothes. *ok, yes - that was it*

I keep about 3-4 gym outfits in my gym bag (socks and sports bra included); each in its own plastic bag along with toiletries(don't really like that word, who wants to put something in their hair that can be classified as a 'toilet'ry) flip flops, my sexy goggles and blue swim cap! If I am going to get ready at the gym to go somewhere, I put the dirty clothes in a plastic bag and put it in the trunk (not the gym bag) When I get home, all I take in is my dirty gym clothes. Shoes go into a bag all their own. Most of the time, I am wearing my gym clothes home and showering at home. Then, whenever I do laundry, I fold up my gym clothes, stack them in outfits and put them each in a new plastic bag. Whenever I go out to the car again, I take my fresh gym clothes and put them back in my gym bag.

There you have it - I am sure someone, somewhere else has came up with some version of this trick but this is what has helped me stay ready to work out - ONE LESS EXCUSE. Now what to do with the other 99 excuses that can get in the way!

..one day I will get my nutritional act together and really find out how healthy/in shape I can be with all my working out! But, this really goes back to balance and perspective -for my emotional well being lol!

going to work with daniel

Today, I had so much fun joining Daniel for the grand opening of MDI's Office Building. in Nocatee, Florida. Daniel managed the construction on this building for Elkins Constructors and the architect was Wakefield, Beasley and Associates. This 80,000 square foot building was modeled after several influences, including the Menorcan architecture found at Flagler College and the Lightner Museum in St. Augustine while also bringing in the refined classic styles of the Ponte Vedra area. The building houses an impressive collection of paintings and photographs from North Florida's history, wild life and natural beauty.
The 1st floor lobby of the building has a collection of art from the Florida State Archives, and the Library of Congress. The hallways of the 2nd floor showcase the nature and the wildlife of Northeast Florida while the 3rd floors artwork takes you on a journey to st. Augustine as it was one hundred years ago. So much thought went into the placement of each picture inside the building; one stretch of hallway takes you on a picture by picture walk down St. George Street while another stretch takes you on a tour of the Ponce De Leon, Flagler Properties and The Alcazar Hotel. The main staircase of the building host a gorgeous modern chandelier and a sleek stainless steel railing wrapping up to the third floor.

Nathan has had a wallet since his birthday last August. Although he doesn't keep it with him all the time he always knows where it is at and has it often. He keeps some money in it from time to time but usually it is empty. Well, the other morning I asked him if he had any money in his wallet, he said yes and opened it up. I didn't see any cash so i said, "Where is the money?" He pulled out an old gift card and said, "I have my debit card."

Jesus Loves Me!

What a great weekend we had with family. Daniel and I took the kids to disney on ice. This was the kids first time and of course, we all enjoyed it. I (i mean the kid) can't wait to go to the real disney.....hopefully this summer, for nathan's birthday. On saturday, we spent the day near the intercoastal at puplic park with family. We grilled, hunted easter eggs and flew kites. After that I had a wedding then it was church on Sunday.

It was so neat to hear the kids tell us the reason we celebrate easter; do they even realize the power behind what they are telling us? The Lord is already at work in their little hearts and they are so tender to it all. "Jesus died on the cross for me." "He came back to life" I still don't won't to get used to hearing them say 'Jesus loves me' , in word or song! How AWESOME!

check it out

I hope you have gotten a chance to visit The String Group's Blog!

http://thestringgroup.blogspot.com/
I know I haven't been the most interesting blogger for my personal blog, but hope to get better with it once I have adjusted to my new schedule!

I hope everyone has a great easter this weekend :)