Palate Pushers

I think it's funny when people ask if Jeremy and I fight/argue. They think we're this perfect couple.

I just laugh.

Yes, we do.
Fight that is.

But not over the usual stuff like money and the thermostat. Dave has taken care of the financial worries and, as luck would have it, we both loooooove a freezing cold bedroom.

What we fight over is food.

Jeremy is from Texas.
I'm from Nebraska.

We may as well be from Mexico and China.

Now, I'm not that picky. I have foods I don't like- but very little that I just can't swallow.

I'm not a fan of BBQ and hot dogs and can't stomach meatloaf (yes, I like meatballs, no they aren't the same thing) peas and ketchup.

Jeremy is picky. And has a very expensive palate.

He prefers steak, roasts, lamb, bacon- you get the idea. He avoids at all costs casseroles, ground beef (hamburgers are ok), creamy/cheesy dishes, and...as he just said, "I don't know what else...anything you like to make."

We both like Italian and Asian- but spaghetti, lasagna and stir fry gets old really quick, no matter how good the recipe.

After many tears (yes, I've cried over meal planning) and Sam's food allergies- I've given almost all food planning/cooking to Jeremy. I always wanted to be the homemaker that has meals ready for hubby when he gets home- but he's so darn picky and loves cooking, that duty has been designated to him. He cooks, I bake (cleaning is a whole 'nother issue).

But with Jer in charge and my food limitations in place, our food budget has been going out of control.

We've come to dread Fridays (new food budget) because the inevitable "What do you want to eat this week" question arrives, forcing us to stop and think.

Which really hurts these days.

Enter E-mealz

We decided to give it a shot. Jer promised not to whine if there was a meal he didn't think he'd like.

So we paid the $15 for 3 months.

W.O.W.

CHEAP meal planning with grocery lists, recipes and all thinking done for you every week.
Considering we were going $15 over our food budget every week, it's already paid for itself! And the meals are EASY and GOOD and Jer loves getting creative with each one!

(This is also endorsed by Dave. They have options for families of 2, 4 or 6. Weight Watchers, low fat, low carb and vegetarian.)

Like I said- W.O.W.

Here's what we ate this week:

Beef Tips and Rice

We used pork. There weren't any leftovers with this one!

Skillet Burrito with Chips and Salsa on the side

The rice had already been cooked, so this took 15 minutes to make. And was so delicious!

Warehouse Soup with Cornbread Muffins

Because I don't like peas, I'd normally skip such a recipe (included split pea soup from a can). Boy, would I have missed out- SO yummy. Jer did his own thing with this- doctoring it up and substituting his own potato soup for the cream of potato soup. We also found a new breakfast item with the muffins!

Chicken Salad with Fresh Green Beans

I love chicken salad and am not one to try new recipies if I already have one I like. So I went out of my comfort zone for this one. I picked out the grapes, but devoured the rest!

Tilapia with Green Bean Casserole and Seasoned Rice

So, obviously there isn't a casserole or seasoned rice. That's because I cooked this meal and didn't want to wait 30 min for the casserole to cook. Plus I couldn't have the dairy involved in it anyway. And I like plain green beans and rice.

There you have it, folks. Another marriage crisis solved.

Sneaky Saturdays

Today's post is number three in the seven week series of Seven Sneaky Secrets Vitamin companies hope you never find out:

Secret Number 4 I've got a Secret

The last three weeks of sneaky secrets were closely related to each other. This week is different. Many companies don’t reveal their proprietary formulas because they don’t want you to know what you’re getting. They list the ingredients in a complex or blend, then list the dosage amounts for the entire blend.

The problem with that is that companies mix inexpensive raw materials together with the expensive good ones. Unfortunately, many times the largest percentage of the mix is the cheap stuff.

Shaklee labeling does in some cases include proprietary formulas, but the difference is in their high standards for including only the highest quality ingredients in the formulations that give the best results. That means basing the formulation on actual science and clinical testing. Each supplement uses the necessary nutrients in the proper amounts for you to actually FEEL the difference in your energy level, your resistance to colds and flu, and to help with long term health.

Shh..you can hear Him chukling right now...

We went in for Samantha's 9 month check-up (14 lbs 10.5 oz!)

The doc let me go on a little about how High-Needs she is (NOT spoiled. Saying such a thing just proves you've never had one. Be glad, not judgmental.)

He actually had a solution.

"Really?! What?"

"Have another."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I'm serious. Have another. Closer than 20 months. So you better get crackin'!"

At which point Jer's eyes lit up.

plan: wait 'til Sam was 2 to even consider another

plan: meh- whatever.

Now I Really Want to Roast Marshmellows

We got a package the other day from the in-laws in Texas!

(FYI comments and brown paper packages tied up with strings...these are two of my favorite things.)

With the Leppers, a package is never ordinary. We get bibs, printers, hats, phones and even plastic baggies.

Our favorite so far, however, is this:

Your eyes doth not deceive you.
That is a DVD of a roaring fire.

One of my NEW favorite things.

(Yes Tricia, you did good!)

My Newest Title

Human Kickstand

Typical Tuesday

A friend shared with me how to get a free pass to a yoga fitness place. This is extremely exciting for me as I LOVE yoga. Before I got pregnant I was going 2-3 times a week to a 90 minute power-yoga class. I had never felt so healthy- physically and mentally. I'm healthy now, just REALLY out of shape. I mean, good nutrition only goes so far. One must do something physical too (and as much as I've tried to rationalize it- laundry and cleaning the kitchen don't count, as exhausting as they can be).
I know, I know- walking is free too. So is running. Even the yoga DVD's that I bought (and used quite a bit years ago) are free to use now. But it's just not the same a going to a class.

Anyway, on to my question. I was so excited that I called my mom- a fellow yoga fanatic.

Or Former fanatic, as I discovered. Her response was a somber face with the warning to
"Be careful."

"Don't worry!" I assured her, "I know all the basics and know not to do too much too quickly."

"No, Kim, I mean spiritually. You're walking a fine line. "

Now, I don't want to be arrogant or tread ignorantly where I shouldn't, but- seriously? I've been doing yoga off and on since my freshman year in college. As far as I'm concerned, it's pure physical and mental relaxation and rejuvenation.

Yes, I do the "sun salutation" and "namaste"- is this anti-Christian or Catholic? Or is this another "Harry Potter is evil" controversy where I just say, "Ok mom, I'll be careful" and leave it at that?

21st Century Baby

I stood Sam in front of the laptop and I realized two things...

1) I'm pretty sure she's a south paw

2) Considering her hand position on the laptop and the way she handles the phone...I'm on the computer and phone WAY too much.