Things I love Thursday

In honor of my run this Saturday, I thought I'd share what I use when I run.  I don't like the taste or the funky feeling I get when I drink sport drinks.  It requires a little more forethought that grabbing a scoop of Cytomax or a bottle of Gatorade.  But, in my mind, its worth it.  I got to try this at a boot camp I did last year.  At the end of class, our coaches brought us all one at the end of class.  I love it!  Its refreshing, healthy, and doesn't leave me feeling funky after I drink it.



The other thing I like on my longer runs is


I like the chocolate.  I have tried a couple other flavors, and wasn't impressed.  A friend described the chocolate flavor as brownie mix.


The last thing I am so glad to have back (I lost mine and had to buy a new one) is my iPhone armband.  I have apps I like to use for running, and on longer runs, I don't like to have to hold my phone in my hand.  Having an armband is great.

Find more Things I Love Thursday here @ Diaper Diaries.

What exercise do you like to do and what equipment do you have to have?

Menu Plan Monday

Happy Father's Day!  Today, we're having sliders, home-baked fries, baked zucchini rounds, and cherry pie for dessert!

This is going to be a short week, and I'm trying to use up as much food from my fridge as I can.  We lave for Seattle on Friday morning for my half marathon and a mini-vacation.  Lake, bar-b-que, hanging out with great friends, here we come!!

Monday:  Terriyaki chicken with broccoli and brown rice

Tuesday: Macaroni and Cheese (one of these days, I'll share this recipe!)

Wednesday: homemade hot pockets (I'm going to use my homemade pizza dough recipe and use some of the lunchmeat and veggies we have left in the fridge)

Thursday: leftovers for my hubby and me.  My stepson is heading down to his grandparents' house while we're gone and I pick my son up the next morning for our flight.

You can find more meal ideas here at Organizing Junkie.

Summer Science

I thought I would start a thread here once or twice a week about what we are doing to keep boredom at bay this summer.  I got my son The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You! (Everything Kids Series) because he's been wanting to do science experiments a lot lately.  Today, we're starting out with what happens when you add ice to boiling water.  This book is great!  It gives the procedure, explains how to make a hypothesis and has a place for the kids to write what they found during the experiment.  Most of the ones I've seen while flipping through have mostly materials you have around the house.  Absolutely worth the $9.00 I spent and I will reuse some of these in my class next fall too.

Here are some pictures from this week's science experiment...

Who Said a watched pot never boils?!

Being very careful to put the ice in and not splash the hot water (mommy very closely watching)

The notebook page of the book where he can write his observations.  He said, "When I put the ice in the hot water, it stopped boiling."

You can find more summer ideas on how to keep the kids busy here at Works For Me Wednesday.

Besides camps, TV, computer games and outside activities, how are you and your family combatting boredom this summer?

Summer!

Today was our first official day of summer.  A girl could get used to this :)  We had to be at a playdate with some dear friends who are leaving for Wisconsin later this week (I am very sad, in the 2 years they've been here, they have become very special friends).  Then I took my little guy and we headed over to Sprouts Farmer's Market .  I have to admit, I love Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, but Sprouts takes the cake!  I had heard that is was like a combination between the two.  well, its that, and then some!  I'm trying to figure out how I can change my grocery shopping routine so I can shop out there.  They have everything I need, and then some!  I felt like I was in grocery heaven.  They are out near my work, so I'm trying to figure out what day I could get over there after work.  I'll have to work that one out.

We got home and made rice crispies with brown rice crisps, organic and gluten free marshmallows (yummy) and added some dark chocolate chunks.

Right now, my stepson and my son are playing Star Wars on the xbox.  We'll head out for karate in a bit.

I just love the relaxed pace of summer.  What are you up to now that school is out?

Menu Plan Monday

I made it through the last week of school, in one piece (well, sort of!)  I've got a sinus infection rearing its ugly head right now, I'm hoping my doctor will be able to see me and get me some antibiotics tomorrow!  I'm also counting down to my half marathon.  I was able to raise over $3000 for Leukemia and Lymphoma research.  We leave a week from Friday to fly up to Seattle.  I'm starting to get butterflies!

This week is going to be pretty low key.  We are going to enjoy the sunny weather and visit with some friends.  I'm looking forward to some down time and being able to just hang out.

Sunday:  enchiladas

Monday: pasta with goat cheese, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes

Tuesday:  Heading up to see some dear friends for the afternoon

Wednesday:  cheesesteak sandwiches

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: Tequila Lime Chicken  I saw this recipe a couple weeks ago when I was in the midst of finishing up my school year and I couldn't think about making something that was complicated and out of the ordinary.  I've been on a fish kick, so I might make chicken for the boys and shrimp for me.

Find more recipes and menu plans at I'm an Organizing Junkie
What are you cooking up in your kitchen this week?

Monday, June 7

Since its the last week of school, things are pretty nutsy in my life!  I'm doing a quick Menu plan, then I'll be back next week with lots of fun stuff, since I will be on summer vacation!!!

Monday: chicken strips with mango dipping sauce (I'll post the recipe later)

Tuesday: sliders with chipotle mayonnaise and sweet potato fries

Wednesday: burritos

Thursday- I'm not sure.  Last day of school, track practice, I may go home and sleep!!!

Friday: homemade pizza

Have a great week, I will catch you when I'm on summer break!

More here at I'm an Organizing Junkie

Anything fun on your menu this week?

Things I love Thursday-tea

I am a big tea drinker.  I like coffee too, but I gave up my morning cup a while ago.  I love my tea!  My favorite place to shop is Teavana.  Their teas are great!  My favorites right now are My Morning Matte for my morning cup, and either youthberry or a mixture of strawberry lemonade with blueberry bliss.  Those are both so yummy over ice.  And, last weekend at our BBQ, I made mojitos with the strawberry and blueberry.  You have to be careful with those, they'll get you before you realize it! 

Have a great weekend, and try to enjoy some tea! 

This week's menu plan

Yesterday, we had my closest friends over for our 4th annual BBQ.  Usually, my birthday falls right around Memorial Day.  A few years ago, my girlfriends asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday.  I told them that I wanted to have everyone over and BBQ and hang out.  Our kids are all the right ages, and they have a blast together!  Its such a gift to have friends like that.  In my book, that's all I want!  Hanging out with friends and family and just being together.

Its also funny to think of the first time we had this official annual BBQ, and my husband and I always chuckle about this.  Hubby and I met on-line.  We emailed back and forth for about a month, then finally decided to chat on the phone.  One of my girlfriends is famous for her cosmos.  Not only are they delicious, but they are STRONG! We all partook in the yummy cosmos and the adult girls were driven home by husbands.  I decided just to put my son to bed and head that way myself.  Just as I was heading to bed, the phone rang.  It was Nick, and I let it go to voice mail!  My poor husband, had to wait a couple more nights to hear my voice!  It all worked out in the end, but he loves to tease me about that one! Today, we've been married 10 months.  I am one happy girl!

Its also the end of the school year.  I am so busy right now trying to wrap everything up at work, but I am really looking forward to the end!

Tuesday: bagel dogs (homemade pizza dough, wrapped around hot dogs left over from the BBQ)

Wednesday: leftover hamburgers

Thursday: This sounded really good a couple of weeks back when I was surfing for some new wing recipes.  Since I can't stand eating meat off the bone, I will either just get the tenders at the store today, or I will cut up the chicken breasts-depends on price!

Friday- I'll be out for the evening with some moms from school.  Not sure what the boys are going to do!

Saturday- Cauliflower Soup

That's all I have for this week!  Have a great week :)  Go here to see other meal options!