Category Archives: Recipes/Food

Such Great Advice

Okay, you all are amazing. Friends, family and total strangers chimed in on yesterday’s blog to suggest great ways to transform our family’s eating from junk food happy to healthy, fit and vibrant.

Instead of sticking with snacks like these:

look at that candy

Austin (my sweet friend, Jodi’s, son) checks out some serious candy options in downtown Williamsburg.

…instead I guess we have to bring these kind of “treats” into the home:

veggies, yum

Fruit, veggies and more.

I was so encouraged by all the helpful comments. A hearty thank you to everyone who responded. This morning Sarah and I went to the store and I made sure to fill up my grocery cart with plenty of fruits and vegetables. The kids gobbled down the apples and oranges like starving urchins and everyone enjoyed a big salad this evening.

I think I forgot that a healthy lifestyle requires continue work. I don’t know why it should be so surprising, the laundry doesn’t ever end (Hooray, I did 6 loads of laundry, now I’m done for the month. Ha! Right.) and housework is a constant responsibility, working out effectively means regular, consistent time set aside for exercise, and the spiritual disciplines are life long pursuits.

I bought two bags of apples, a bunch of bananas, a container of cherry tomatoes, some lettuce, carrots, and a big bag of oranges. These will last just days at our house. Seven people can go through a LOT of produce. However, I really appreciate all the supportive words about the importance of feeding my family healthy, nutritious food.

You all are the BEST!!

family dinner

Dinner with the Daniels

This picture has nothing to do with today’s post but it does center around food so I figure I can sneak it in. When Tim and I were in Virginia, we had the opportunity to spend some time with my aunt, uncle and two cousins. They fed us an amazing dinner. It was so delicious my mouth is literally watering over the memories.

When Tim and I were going to school in VA, and later when we lived in Connecticut, we would occasionally drop by (unannounced, of course) on my dad’s sister and her family. Inevitably, they would be hosting some sort of party or gathering. As poor college students and then poorer newlyweds, Tim and I quickly realized this was a GREAT way to get a hearty (FREE) meal. We somehow managed to “stop over” for Christmas parties, barbeques and high school reunions.

No longer impulsive college students, this time we planned far in advance. I called Saturday to see if we could come over Sunday. It’s astounding how much a person can grow and mature over the years. Ever the gracious hosts, Aunt Lee Lee and Uncle Jack put together a beautiful dinner just for us.

cousins all grown up

We managed to convince my cousin, Sye, and his wife to join us for a picture.

In honor of this topic of healthy eating, I should remark that Aunt Lee Lee served a huge fruit salad, a fresh green salad, broccoli casserole and baked sweet potatoes not to mention several other dishes. Please excuse my growling stomach, I don’t think I’ve eaten that well since we left Virginia.

If you read through the comments and think of something brilliant that was neglected, please don’t delay, get typing and pass along your Fruit and Veggie Wisdom.

Kathy

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WFMW – Diet and Exercise

WFMWTim did an excellent job of handling the blog while I was off playing Cranium with the girls. Now if I can just get the keyboard back (he has a surprisingly strong grip) I can write this week’s Works for Me Wednesday post.

Since I’m reaching the end of my Reunion Countdown, I thought I would share a few of my diet and exercise observations. Chime in with your own tips on the subject, I still have a little ways to go to reach my goal, and love hearing how other people are winning this battle.

Reflections on Diet and Exercise – Keys to Losing Weight

  1. Move More/Eat Less – I know, this is so obvious I shouldn’t even have to say it, but I have been really surprised to find out how true this actually is.

    There was one point in my life when I was doing aerobics 4 times a week (The Firm – weight training and cardio mixed) and walking 5 to 6 days a week. I did NOT lose weight. My body did tone a bit but it was incredibly slow. I was not eating very well. It wasn’t until several years later when I completely “cleaned up” my eating that I began to really lose weight. I cut out sugar, wheat and flour as per Kay Sheppard’s food addiction program. This was a total lifestyle change and took away almost all of my uncontrollable food cravings and overeating. I lost 65 pounds in six to eight months. It was an incredible blessing and joy to lose this weight. I am so thankful the Lord blessed my hard work with such stunning results.

    As time went one, however, I was unable to lose the remaining 25 pounds that I had originally targeted. I’ve been stuck at this same weight (fluctuating 5 or 7 pounds) for over two years. It has been frustrating to be in a plateau for so long. Argh! Combining an aggressive exercise routine with a restricted calorie plan has been the only thing enabling me to finally shed the weight again.

    This plan is very mathematically and physiologically based. I exercise 600 calories/6 days a week and burn off 3600 calories weekly. I limit my eating, reducing my calories by 500 a day or 3500 calories a week. Potentially I can lose 2 pounds a week pursuing this program.

  2. new haircut

    Got my hair cut and highlighted today. Hooray.

  3. Find an exercise partner – I love reading a magazine while I exercise. I have even figured out how to hook up my portable DVD player (the one the kids use in the car) to the elliptical machine. Add earphones and I can enjoy a movie while I power out an hour’s workout. However, over and over it has been my family’s support and a friend’s companionship which has motivated and encouraged me in my exercising.

    I remember one week when I was tired of going to the YMCA. I had already been there several times and I was feeling bored and burned out. Julee (my wonderful friend and exercise partner)) invited me to join her in a workout. We ran intervals on the treadmill (okay, she ran while I jogged). Next we moved to the stairstepper for a short workout and ended our time on the elliptical. The next day we put in a long, sweaty hour on the elliptical machine. By the end of those two days, I was rejuvenated and ready to work out on my own again. Whenever we can, Julee and I sneak in walks around our neighborhood.

    Meet a friend at the club, start walking regularly with a neighbor, get your family to ride bikes. Do what it takes to surround yourself with active, energetic people who support your goal of being healthy.

  4. Calories count – ouch! Every day I log on to Fitday.com and record my food. It’s boring and occasionally tedious, but it keeps me totally accountable for what I’m eating. My eating has shifted over this past month as I have watched the numbers in my food journal. For example, I have a breakfast pancake I make almost every morning. After recording the information each day for a week, I decided I would rather save some fat and calories by cutting out one of the eggs. Instead of two eggs, I use one egg and two egg whites. Simple change, doesn’t affect the recipe yet cuts calories.

    It turns out all those magazine tips are on to something –

    select chicken instead of beef
    switch to lower calorie condiments
    use salsa and mustard to season food
    measure snack foods (don’t eat blindly)
    watch portion sizes
    drink water to help during hungry times
    don’t eat late at night

  5. Oregon beach

    The Oregon coast is gorgeous! What a beautiful beach.

  6. Record Your Information – keep track of your progress. Fitday and My Calorie Counter are both free and calculate calories, fat, protein and carbs in the food journal section. Practicing this discipline for at least two weeks will reveal patterns in your eating, show you areas that are available for positive change, and provide an amazing reality check on the quantity of food you’ve been eating. It will also encourage you to see the progress you are making.

    I have an Excel spreadsheet where I record my food totals, exercise data (types of exercise and calories burned), and my weekly weight. It takes only minutes to input this information and results in a snapshot of how I’m doing each day.

I wish I had taken my measurements at the beginning of this month long program. It would be interesting to see how I’ve done in that area. Of course, when I’m feeling fat and flabby, pretty much the LAST thing in the world I want to do is measure myself. Shudder.

I can, however, report on my weight loss. As of day 26 (I weigh on Fridays) I had lost 7.2 pounds. Not only that, but I’ve gained the confidence that I can work hard and make a positive change in my body.

Now to be careful not to blow it all during our Homecoming weekend. :)

If you have lost weight and kept it off, I would LOVE to hear your thoughts, tips and advice. Leave a comment and share with us all.

Visit Rocks in My Dryer for other Works for Me Wednesday ideas.

Duckabush Blog Works for Me Wednesday entries.

Several weeks of Tuesday Parenting Tips.

Kathy
Project 365 – Day 296

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WFMW – Great Coffee at Home

WFMWIt’s fall and time for cool days, slippers and snuggly quilts. As the weather turns grey and rainy (Fall in the pacific northwest is pretty much grey and rainy) I find myself stocking up on boxes of tea in all flavors and assortments.

However, this being coffee land (the Coffee Belt?), I thought I would discuss coffee for this week’s Works for Me Wednesday. If you hate coffee and are strictly a tea drinker, please don’t leave, scroll to the bottom and leave a comment about your favorite type of tea.

Before I moved to Washington I had only a passing interest in coffee. I enjoyed it occasionally, not caring much about roasts, brands, or mode of brewing. I drank it mostly at work, although I should say we used to have a great brewing equipment (check out this homepage  for the equipment provider).

stone bridge out on the property

For five years we lived out in Washington’s beautiful rainforest territory, 30 minutes to an hour from the nearest grocery stores or shopping centers. Lets just say there wasn’t a Starbucks around the corner. During that time I perfected a Poor Man’s Mocha:

Mug of hot coffee
Package of hot cocoa

I developed quite the repertoire of fancy add in’s:

Cool Whip or Reddi Whip
Flavored Creamer (chocolate raspberry was a favorite)
Chocolate dipped spoons (a homemade Christmas treat)

After we left the country and moved to the city, okay the suburbs, I began to frequent coffee stands and Starbucks. An addiction was quickly formed. To make things worse, my friend (and neighbor) Julee, was on a first name basis with some of the baristas at the drive thru coffee place down the street.

“Kathy, I’m heading out for coffee, you want anything?

I mean, how could I resist that kind of intense peer pressure?

It turns out coffee is not only addictive but a bit expensive as a weekly (daily?) habit. After spending more money than I wish to admit, I decided it was time to find a homemade solution to my favorite drinks. At this point I was off sugar so I wasn’t interested in mochas or frappacinos, I just wanted to be able to make an excellent Brevé or Americano. I wanted to do so, however, without paying hundreds of dollars on a fancy Espresso machine.

I did some extensive research online (where else) and came up with a plan for the perfect coffee to suit my tastes. While no where near an expert, I can finally make a delicious coffee drink right at home that rivals any coffee stand.

Necessary equipment/ingredients:

French Press coffee maker
Aerolatte Milk Frother
Good quality coffee
Milk

make me some coffee!

That’s it. A French Press is only $20 or $25 at Target or Amazon. The Aerolatte can be found at Amazon or Bed, Bath and Beyond. I buy Starbucks coffee at Target and San Francisco Bay coffee beans at Costco. I was using strictly Starbucks but a friend recommended the French Roast by San Francisco Bay so I decided to try it. I mix regular and decaf together.

I make the coffee in my French Press – stronger than you would almost think is drinkable. :) Probably double the normal amount. In the microwave I heat up 2% milk (1/2 to 3/4 cup) for a minute. I like my coffee rich so I use 2%, you could easily substitute nonfat. Once the milk is heated, I use the milk frother to frappe the milk until it is nice and foamy. I pour a cup or cup and a half of coffee into my Starbucks travel mug (which is amazing and keeps my coffee hot for hours and hours), add a little bit of sweetener, and then mix in the frothy milk.

Yum! I now have a delicious coffee drink made right there at home. If I wanted a mocha flavored drink, I would probably add some coffee syrup (easily obtained at the grocery store), Hershey’s syrup or use flavored creamer.

What’s your favorite coffee drink? If you don’t drink coffee, do you prefer tea? What kinds? My family LOVES tea and has been known to linger in front of the tea selection at the store, discussing possible blends with great passion. :)

Pop by Works for Me Wednesday for other tips and ideas.

Kathy
Project 365 – Day 282

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WFMW — Master Grocery Lists

WFMW

Tim and I are on a budget. Oh the joys of budgeting: all that money saved because we aren’t out shopping, healthier hearts and slimmer hips because of those hearty home baked meals (none of that yucky fast food), and of course, wonderful family time at home. No pesky movie outings to schedule or babysitters to hire. Ah, yes, it’s definitely a special delight.

So, in honor of Budgeting Is Fun, I thought I would post a simple Works for Me Wednesday blog about grocery shopping.

righteous ringleader in red

We did splurge and go to the fair this month – next year we’ll actually plan it into the budget. Heh, heh.

In an attempt to be more organized in my grocery shopping, I decided to try my hand at a little Microsoft Word Grocery List Magic. MWGLM – it’s catchy, I know. You probably need some MWGLM in your life as well. Don’t worry, I’m here to help.

First I searched far and wide online to find a basic grocery list that would suit my needs. I ended up at Donna Young’s amazing website. She has forms, planners, and blank printables in abundance. In her kitchen section, I discovered the perfect grocery list.

I took the basic list and modified it to fit the five stores I most frequently visit. In my case, that would be Target, Albertsons, Fred Meyer, Costco, and Trader Joe’s. If I were truly organized (ie obsessive compulsive) I would have each store organized by aisle, but there are limits to how far I was willing to take this project. Not that MWGLM couldn’t take you there, with a little work.

At the beginning of each month, I can print out my lists and mark them as necessary. Better yet, Tim and the children can check off things they need. Everything is organized by store and I am able to quickly plan my errands and shopping.

I can help you with the list, Mom

“I’ll take TWO of everything, Mommy.”

Here are the links to my five shopping lists. They are all Word documents (sorry for those of you who are still using Word Star or Lotus Ami Pro, nothing personal you understand). You are welcome to look them over, save them to your computer, and change as necessary. For that matter, you can print them out as coloring pages for your preschoolers. Call it school.

Target
Albertsons
Fred Meyer
Trader Joe’s
Costco

Head on over to Rocks in My Dryer for further Works for Me Wednesday links.

Kathy

Some other Duckabush WFMW Posts

Respecting Your Husband
Devotional Books for Little Ones
Homeschooling Faves
TopBlogSites
Laundry Organizer
Giant Whiteboard
Travel Outfits

Join us for our Tuesday Tips for Parenting

Calling Your Child
Creative Use for the Timer
First Time Obedience
Sermon Notes
Thorough Job
Paper Dolls
Walk-Away
Physical Exercise

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Some Pie with Your Ice Cream?

When Tim and I lived in Michigan, nearly 10 years ago, we often celebrated events with my parents over a TCBY frozen yogurt pie. It split in four ways very nicely, I’m a bit embarrassed to recount, and quickly became a favorite treat. Since it was “frozen yogurt,” and everyone knows yogurt is “healthy,” we had no trouble convincing ourselves a quarter of a pie was an acceptable portion size.

rachel's big mouth

Some children think they can eat the ENTIRE pie themselves.

However, it didn’t take my frugal husband long to calculate the cost per forkful and realize TCBY was making a hefty profit on our festivities.

“I can make an ice cream pie as good as any old frozen yogurt stand,” Tim boasted.

Not being ones to stand in the way of ambition and enterprise, we heartily encouraged Tim to head to straight to the store, offering ourselves as willing victims of his culinary creations. Those were mighty fine, if fattening, days and I must say, we’ve never looked back. Tim has become the ice cream pie expert of the family.

Be sure to leave us a comment regarding your favorite ice cream pie ingredients (see last paragraph).

lets make a pie

Breyer’s Fried Ice Cream – delectable!

Today he decided to make two pies, no doubt inspired by the clean pantry and the two pie crusts he discovered on the back shelves.

Ingredients for Two Pies

Oreo Pie Crust
Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust
(Our crew strongly prefers the Oreo crust, but they are occasionally difficult to find. The Keebler chocolate crust offers a more subtle chocolate flavor for those not seeking chocolate overload.)
3/4ths container of ice cream per pie
Chocolate Syrup
Assorted chocolates — Reeses Cups and Andes Mints are both delicious. We have found some chocolates are too hard when used in a frozen pie (M&M’s, Snickers, etc).
Chocolate Magic Shell (this is a new addition to the recipe)
Whip Cream (optional but makes the pies so pretty)
Sprinkles (crucial if you are working with children)

ice cream pie in the making

Let ice cream soften.
Apply thin coat of chocolate syrup to the bottom of the pie crust.
Yum. Begin chocolate overload.
Scoop ice cream into pie shell.
Chop chocolates into small pieces and sprinkle liberally over ice cream.
Drizzle chocolate syrup atop ice cream and candy
Repeat another layer of ice cream.
Finish with some combination of Magic Shell, Reddi-Whip and Sprinkles.
Return to freezer until ready to serve.
Dive in, forks in hand.

sarah

Sarah is ready with the sprinkles.

it's a family affair

How many Duckabush Bloggers does is take to make ice cream pies?

this is goodyum

Joshua cleaned the garage in exchange for the largest slice of pie. Was it worth it, Joshua??

I think we might have some future ice cream pie bakers in the family. It’s important to pass these meaningful skills down through the generations.

Question
If you were making an ice cream pie (or rather, having Tim and the children prepare a pie FOR you) what type of ice cream and candy fillings would you want? Or maybe you’re a caramel fan and would eschew the chocolate syrup altogether. Let us know! We’re always on the look out for new ideas.

Kathy
Project 365 – Day 259

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