Amazing idea that we should all be doing.

Let us all start a new tradition this Halloween: To do this go get a pumpkin.  Shit be super mom and take the kids and make your husband go to a large pumpkin patch. We were going to do this last weekend but we all got our first Fall cold. This is truly the one and only reason I hate the fall. Because of the fact that everyone gets sick within the first week of school. Enough of that.... 

First you will paint a pumpkin teal and place it on your porch as a sign to other families managing food allergies that you have non-food treats available at your home. 

Your teal pumpkin is also a way to raise awareness in your neighborhood about food allergies! 

Examples of non-food items include: glow bracelets or necklaces, pencils, markers, boxes of crayons, erasers, bubbles, mini Slinkies, whistles or noisemakers, bouncy balls, coins, spider rings, vampire teeth, mini notepads, playing cards, bookmarks, stickers, and stencils. 

Let's try to do something different and amazing for every child and their worried parents who stress out about all the choices other parents make because it isn't effecting them. So please think of doing non food treats for this Halloween! 

Please share ;-) Also go to My Facebook page and share the pictures of your teal pumpkin.

Wordless Wednesday

I can not wait to be able to cross off these bad boys in the next few weeks.

 I love fall but I feel the rush of the holidays creeping in. 

What are you favorite fall must do's? 

Roast beef..... its what is Tempting my Tummy Tuesday!

With having the twinsters and the hubs in school and also him working full time, We have become a crock pot family. I’m all about simple recipes that I know will be loved when I serve them. When my picky of picky mom asks for me to make something again I know I’ve done something right. And this recipe falls into that category! Its also a great way to celebrate the fall with this hardy meal. Grab some rolls and a side of mash potatoes and your in for a great meal.

My roast beef recipe doesn’t require any browning of your beef before adding to your slow cooker/crockpot or anything like that at all. You simply add your roast beef to the slow cooker, mix and pour in all of your liquid ingredients, toss in your garlic and turn on the crock pot.

After it has cooked, remove your roast beef with tongs into a serving dish. I then like to just use two forks to break the meat that hasn’t already fallen apart into pieces. Then, I spoon some of the gravy over the meat grab the carrots and mushrooms put them on the side dish. Then place the meat into the serving dish. 

Ingredients

• 1 3-4 pound boneless roast beef (chuck or round roast)
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 cup of Apple cider
• 1 packet of Au Jus on top of the roast. 

Instructions

1. Place roast beef into the insert of your slow cooker. In a 2-cup measuring cup, mix together all remaining ingredients. Pour over roast beef and set the timer for your slow cooker. (4 hours on High or 6-8 hours on Low)
2. Once roast beef has cooked, remove from slow cooker with tongs into a serving dish. Break apart lightly with two forks and then ladle about ¼ - ½ cup of gravy over roast beef.
3. Store remaining gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for another use.

The day our world changed.

Before the boys it was amazing having all the time in the world to blog.  It was comforting to have a place to go and write and release all my stress that I hold deep inside,  unless I can write, there is not any comfort.  Over the last few months I haven't had the energy nor the time to write like I want, need, or how I should be.  My dream has always been to be creative and artistic. We as a family have gone through so much over the past year,  its time for me to get it together! Or get it back together, pull up my big girl pants on and really get back to me... maybe take a shower and get dressed, from time to time maybe just maybe put a bra on. Leave the house. Start writing again. Become the person I was a little bit more then I am now.  My first post that I am going to do is about what has been going on and why life just seemed to get even crazier. 

On the day Brock was diagnosed with Autistic Disorder and Development Developmental Delay, I felt my heart break. My husband, Chris had been so optimistic, so certain that it could not be autism. And I knew by the way Chris squeezed my hand that his heart was breaking too. Chris had all the dreams that a father has for a son and within seconds I could feel Chris's dreams crumbling. I could feel his leg shaking next to mine. Like many things, going to the dr.'s with mr Brock, where he is always getting tested and poked and prodded is a every weekly thing, most of the time more then once a week. 

We have heard it all, but when we had his ear surgery done a few months ago thinking that he was deaf, after the surgery they came out and told us that "he isn't deaf." That I needed to talk to the Doctor most likely he would say would say if he had to guess that he would think he is Autistic. We have been hearing this for the past year but then this was a major way to explain it. 

It all began when we were handed a 37-page evaluation, detailing all the things Brock couldn’t do, all the milestones he had yet to reach, even with him at almost two years and 6months tasks for him are much harder for him, then other kids his age.  I hated reading the evaluations: on paper Brock sounded horrible. Nowhere in the evaluation did it talk about his dimpled smile or the sound of his laugh. Nowhere did it describe how his big brown eyes sparkled when he was happy. Or that he loved to read and was fascinated by all things boy, trains, fire trucks, planes, all things Mickey Mouse. They didn't detail just how beautiful he was inside and out and his personality only a few are given the gift to even see. 

Chris stayed strong as always not showing any emotion,  I cried in the car, neither one of us really able to comfort the other. Both of us thinking of all the things we could’ve done to prevent autism. I mean how as his parents could we not think this is our fault, who's else's fault would it or could it be? The guilt of what we were feeling toward Brock's health care. 

When we got home for the appointment , we told my parents and as all of us sat and thought about what we were all just told. When doing this we sat and watched as Brock was sitting on the floor away from his grandma and brother.  It had all become to true and so very easy to imagine how isolating and sad his life , our life, would be. This was not the life we were supposed to have,  Not the life this beautiful baby boy. 

Nothing I read prepared me for the pain, anger and sadness that I felt. On the day Brock was diagnosed, I went into our bedroom, closed the door and buried my face in my pillow screaming as loud as could. Punching and kicking like a three year old having a tantrum. Why Brock? Why My Baby? Why when he already has CP, that the challenges that go with just that are going to be very hard and then we add to it. 

Everyone kept telling me, “God doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle.” But autism and raising a child with a disability wasn’t something I wanted to handle. On the day Brock was diagnosed, reflecting all of it, making  me realize that I need to be the one strong for Brock. That I was the one that needed to teach him that even on his bad days, We would both take it and I would be and will always be there for him.   

On the day Brock was diagnosed with autism, I cried myself to sleep. And I cried for many nights after that. Truth be told it is something I still do. When I can steal a little bit of quietness where he or anyone else will be unable to hear me and become upset. I cry in the shower, in my car, into the pile of down feathered pillows, just outside the playroom door where many times I put a DVD in and sit right outside their door and silent sobs will come out as the tears just stain my cheeks. 

It is a one day at a time, a work in progress. I will do whatever I can do to help him because the person he was meant to be. It might not feel like it when I am in the moment but I will make a difference for him and his life. I will give him anything he needs to achieve all of his dreams. Another good thing about all of this is that my other son, Brock's twin brother Francis is so amazing and so helpful. He loves with all he has. Smiling and trying to make us laugh all the time.  Check in with his Bubba/Buddy to see what he is doing and if he is okay every few minutes.  Stay tuned, I hope to write much more about this journey and mine as the mom. 

                                Thanks for taking the time to read!!

What the heck Wednesday?? Oil Pulling Detox? What?

Well we are all about learning new things, trying new fads, and this morning I was on Facebook checking on the events of life when I saw a post about Oil pulling? I am turning 37 this July and I want any new fountain of youth to try. Detoxing is always hard when you are a type one diabetic so that is always something I worry about.  But when I started to really look into this I started to get excited!

You want to swish the oil back and forth between all of your teeth and side to side across all of your gums. You want to hit the cheeks and soft palate. Like butter on an English muffin, you want to "press" the oil into all the nooks and crannies of your mouth -- over and over again.

Pulling is incredibly simple and effective.

Here’s how to do it:

Put about a tablespoon of oil in your mouth.
Swish the oil around your mouth for about 10-20 minutes.
Spit out the oil, then brush your teeth.
If you use coconut oil like me, then you may have to chew on the oil for a few seconds for it to melt, because it is solid at room temperature.

It is best to do this on an empty stomach, before you brush your teeth.

I prefer to do it while I take a shower in the morning.

I put the oil in my mouth, swish it around while in the shower and try to “push” and “pull” the oil between my teeth.

When you get out of the shower  spit out the oil, rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth.

There is no need to use a lot of force here, if doing this causes pain in your facial muscles then just relax a bit. Try using less oil next time and don’t swish it around too forcefully.

It’s important to spit out the oil. You don’t want to swallow it because it is full of bacteria and nasty things.

What to Expect
I’ve been doing this for about 10 days now.

I’ve definitely noticed that my breath is fresher and my teeth look a lot cleaner… both whiter and more shiny.

I’ve never had any dental problems, but I can see how this could have benefits for people that have them.

There are a lot of wild claims out there about oil pulling and how it “pulls” toxins out of your bloodstream. I really don’t think that makes a lot of sense.

However, oil pulling IS effective at reducing the harmful bacteria in your mouth and improving oral and dental health.


I have to say that I am really surprised at how effective this is. I plan to continue doing this for a long time.

Do not gargle with the oil. You do not want to risk swallowing it. Swallowing a little will not harm you, but repeatedly swallowing the oil after you've swished with it means you will be ingesting things that you're trying to get rid of.
Once done swishing, spit the oil out into the toilet or sink.
Rinse, gargle, and spit out again

Use a tongue scraper to remove the coating from your tongue.
Finish by brushing your teeth and rinsing with a mouthwash if you like.

Perform daily for approximately 40-50 days (three 8-ounce bottles of oil will do the trick), then as desired.

The benefits of doing this Oil pulling are amazing 

Oil pulling is said to help with:

Acne
AIDS (For real! There’s a study in the Philippines…)
Allergies
Asthma
Arthritis
Bronchitis
Cracked Heels,
Constipation,
Chronic Infections,
Cancer
Diabetes
Dental Health
Detoxification
Eczema
Gingivitis (link to a study)
Heart Disease
High Blood Pressure
Hormonal Issues
Insomnia
Kidney Disease
Lung Disease
Metabolism
Migraines
Menopause
PMS
Stiff Joints
Ulcers
Varicose Veins
Weight Loss

The Oil-therapy heals totally headaches, bronchitis, tooth pain, thrombosis, eczema, ulcers, intestinal diseases, heart and kidney diseases, encephalitis and woman's diseases. Preventively the growth of malignant tumors is cut and healed. Chronic blood diseases, paralysis, diseases of nerves, stomach, lungs and liver and sleeplessness are cured.

Now that's an impressive list. And interestingly enough, there may be some truth to it -- sort of. In fact, most of the benefits of oil pulling may actually be indirect results from the one benefit that it probably is truly responsible for eliminating mouth and gum disease! We can all use a little help with our dental bills being lowered. 

I haven't tried this yet but will post my results and I will follow my friends that are doing it as well. :) 

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday!

Prep time:  5 mins

Cook time:  25 mins

Total time:  30 mins

Serves: 4-6

 

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 2 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp dry mustard
• 1¼ tsp liquid smoke. 
• 1¼ c TVP
• 1½ c water
• ¾ c ketchup
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• salt and pepper to taste
• soft sandwich buns

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, saute pepper and onion in oil until onion is translucent.
2. Stir in chili powder, garlic and mustard and the rest of the spices. 
3. Add TVP, water, ketchup,liquid smoke, and soy sauce; stir well.
4. Cover and bring mixture to a boil.
5. Reduce heat, simmering for ~20 minutes covered.
6. Remove lid and simmer for 5 minutes more, stirring frequently until most of liquid has evaporated.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve hot on toasted sandwich buns, with onion slices and nutritional yeast if desired.

Meet Mama Monday!!!!

Meet Mama Monday, Its that time again. We are going to do a round of questions and answers. This weekend wasn't to eventful but we got to spend some time together with my parents and Friday the whether wasn't too bad so we go to play with the boys outside in the back yard. It teased me for a few days with the sunshine and up to 60 degrees then back down to the mid 30's. I feel like instead of Washington we are living in Colorado Springs!  I want to dig in the dirt, have the boys play for hours outside and enjoy days at the beach. I know most of us feel this way but I am so ready for the Spring and Summer. 

1. Where is your favorite vacation spot and why?
Any vacation spot is my favorite. We've traveled to so many amazing places that truly just to travel to many different places will be my favorite vacation spots. If I had to choose one it would have to be Kalaloch Washington, or Cannon Beach Oregon, I love love love San Fransico and I of course love any thing disney... I would love to do a trip with the hubs and I need to go on an over night trip we have not gone away sense the summer before the boys were born so we are looking at almost 3 years.  

2. What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
I have a few things that are my guilty pleasure, reality TV.  It's trashy and oh so bad but I for some reason I love them, that and oh yeah that waste of my time that I can't seem to get away from called.... Facebook! But lately I am enjoying much of my time connecting with old classmates and new clients with my photography business. 

3. What is your favorite fashion trend right now? Or, in the past?
Currently I lOVE skinny jeans with tall boots. I think it's such a cute look. But I have to say my pinterest wardrobe is so much cuter then the one I have in real life. One of my goals this year is to get some sense of style and transition into my later 30's and look like a sharp mom, and get rid of those Mom jeans. I also love fellow blogger Courtney Karr! I wish she should just come on over and re-do my closet.... 

4. What are your spring break plans?
I never realized that I would ever care about spring break. Well now we have twin boys and they start pre-school next fall so I guess this will be the start of me caring about spring break and that my husband is now a full time student and we live around his work and his breaks on school time. So this year for my husbands spring break he has a few days off so I am sure we will do some type of hotel review! :) 

5. What baby names do you hate?
I don't like bible names for baby names, I like a strong name that isn't something you hear all of the time. Being that my first name is one of the popular 70's names and there was like 80 of the girls in my class named the same as me. Then my husband has a popular name that a ton of guys had in our classes as well. So I don't want anything popular. I also hate boys names for girls and girls names for boys. I think it is dumb. That is why we name our boys names that have meaning to our family.