Twitter Hop Thursday! (May 27th)

Welcome to Twitter Hop Thursday, hosted by Simply Stacie, The King’s Court IV, Little Yaya’s, Review Retreat and Moms Wear Your Tees!

Would you like more Twitter followers and be introduced to more neat blogs and businesses out there? Come and join us!!

1. Add your Twitter to the MckLinky (you only have to add it to one and it will appear on all).

2. Click on the Twitter for the six hostesses and follow each of them on Twitter. We will follow you back.

3. Follow as many people on Twitter as you like, but make sure to leave comments with links so they’ll know where to follow you!

View complete posting: Twitter Hop Thursday! (May 27th)

Fried Rice ~ Easy Chinese

Our family has a little tradition...that I generally stick to about 90% of the time. On Friday nights we make our own chinese take-out! And this is my version of a veggie fried rice. It's super fast and easy to make...and the kiddles love it!

Now before you get upset with me, I know that instant white rice has been stripped of all nutrients...but that's why I add the veggies I do to this. :) If time is not an issue, then you could always substitute brown rice OR mix the two (to avoid kiddle pouting). So, with that out of the way... I begin by making my pot of white rice. (rule of thumb: 1 water to 1 rice ratio)

View complete posting: Fried Rice ~ Easy Chinese

Wordless Wednesday ~ Orange Within An Orange & Tuxedo Man

There was litterally another orange growing within an orange. Creepy.


Charming getting suited up for wedding duty this weekend.

View complete posting: Wordless Wednesday ~ Orange Within An Orange & Tuxedo Man

A Present...For Me!

Oh, just look at what I got in the mail today!!!

I have been waiting for this to come...and it's finally here! Last month I entered a giveaway on The Healthy Apron's site and was thrilled to find out that I was one of the 4 winners. Now, I've had my eye on a Magic Bullet for some time, but have held off on purchasing one. (for lack of room for any more objects for the kitchen) And because of my resilience & patience I have been rewarded with a portable one! (could this be classified as one of those "good things that come to those who wait"?)

View complete posting: A Present...For Me!

Peachberry Smoothie

My girls love smoothies...and my little Rose has an infatuation with strawberries. So I came up with this simple breakfast concoction for her. There isn't a smoothie that she's met that she hasn't loved.



Smoothies need to be nice and frosty, so I start with some vanilla frozen yogurt. I really like Blue Bunny's vanilla...or Dryer's Vanilla Yogurt Blend.

View complete posting: Peachberry Smoothie

Week 2 Update ~ AGH!

There's just nothing other than "AGH!" that describes how I feel about this past week. There really wasn't any battle in keeping my eating right where it needed to be. Oh alright, there was one day where Charming & I decided to not follow things exactly right. But it wasn't really thatbad. Just a little bad. (I try to convince myself of this all the time) But it could have been so much worse. I went ahead and made country fried steak, with gravy, potatoes and white corn. Now before you go gasping like mad, the gravy actually wasn't as bad as you might think. I found a way to avoid using flour to make the gravy!!! Xanthan Gum is now my new best friend. :)

View complete posting: Week 2 Update ~ AGH!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Dino Jams

Oh the things that a little brother will do...

View The Chatty Mom's Official Site

Battling The Bulge...Again

Alright, the weather has shifted and summer is right around the corner...and my blood pressure has been way too high. It's time to get to it and begin my battle against the bulge once again. Let's face it, when you haven't lost the weight after the first 30 pounds after you've had your baby...it's not an excuse after 3 1/2 years. I mean, you can't say, "Oh I just had a baby." Uh yeah...over 3 years ago.

The truth: I've been lazy and eating junk.

The other truth: I hate being one size larger than I've ever been prior to having a baby.

The other other truth: My body is really fed-up with my laziness. It's like it's screaming at me from the inside. I swear I literally hear it sometimes.


View complete posting: Battling The Bulge...Again

Spring Salmon Salad

Okay, I am so proud of myself right now. I just finished this amazing salad...and I'm typically not a fan of salmon. But this is now going to be one of my favorite salads.

One of the best things about it...the salmon cooks pretty fast. So by the time you chop-up your salad fixings, the salmon is ready to jump onto the plate!


I start by giving my salmon fillet a really quick rinse and then patting it dry. This one is a 0.65 lb. fillet.

View complete posting: Spring Salmon Salad

And The Winner Is....

And the winner of the Kathy van Zeeland Clutch is......

Laurie Murley!

Laurie, an email is being sent to get all of your shipping information...I hope that you enjoy this clutch as much as I enjoy all of my KVZ handbags.

View complete posting: And The Winner Is...

Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread

After two weeks of searching through gluten free products...I finally found a bread that my little Grace loves! And until I get all of the ingredients I need to m ake my own, it looks like I'll be making trips to Whole Foods for bread.

The bread: Berlin Natural Bakery's Old Fashioned Sourdough Spelt Bread

View complete posting: Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread

Wordless Wednesday ~ A Bling Building

Frappuccino Happy Hour

In honor of their new "However-You-Want-It" Frappuccinos, Starbucks' locations are now offering a Happy Hour!

"What does this mean for me?", you may ask...how about 1/2 price Frappuccinos?!

This means that you can now customize you Frappuccino to your little heart's content...change-up your milk type, add more coffee, create your own syrup flavor combinations & amount, top it off with whipped cream (how much or little) and whatever else comes to mind.

View complete posting: Frappuccino Happy Hour

FREE Pedometer From Nature's Bounty!

Register with Nature's Bounty and receive a FREE pedometer!
(While supplies last. Limit 1 per household)

Nature's Bounty is offering free pedometers for those who register to receive Nature's Bounty email notifications of coupon deals & special offers. Hurry, this is a limited time offer...only while supplies last!

FREE FDA Women's Health Kit

To learn about this mystery Momma nurse, click here.

This morning, as I was perusing the newspaper, I happened upon Dear Abby's column. Marsha Henderson, Assistant Commissioner For Women's Heath, had written in to spread the word about an free offer for all of us hard working women. Apparently, in honor of all women, the U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION is offering a free kit to help remind us women that although we care for others, we need to be sure to care for ourselves.

This free Health Information Kit is available while supplies last...so don't delay! There is a limit of 2 kits per person. Keep one for yourself and then give the other kit to a woman that you care about to remind her not to neglect herself too. It's the power of spreading information while you continue to care for others.

View complete posting: Quantities Limited! Free FDA Women's Health Kit

Immersion Blender = Genius

I can't even begin to tell you how many times I use this immersion blender. It is definitely one of my "Must Have" items in the kitchen. And I haven't even used the whisk attachment yet. (it's been 4 years since I bought it) Someday I will put that whisk to use...some day.

In the meantime, I definately must say that for soups, guacamole, shakes, smoothies, adding fruit to frozen yogurt...this tool is my absolute treasure. There is are many ways that I've used this.

View complete posting: Immersion Blender = Genius

Friday Follow ~ Mother's Day Weekend 5/07

Happy Mother's Day Weekend!

There is so much that I have to thank my Mother for...first for putting up with me all of these years. :)
She's been my shoulder to cry on, my comforter, my cheer section, my chauffeur, my confidante, my teacher, my travel agent, my nurse, my doctor, my dentist, my prayer partner, my counselor, my babysitter, my co-worker, my maid, my cook...My Best Friend.
All of those things are wrapped up into the neat little package I call MOM.

Everyday I strive to be the kind of mother my Momma has been to me. (I fail miserably most time it seems)
But I thank God for the example He has given me.

Here is a rundown of this week's postings:

Sunrise Smoothie ~ Pineapples, Oranges, Bananas OH MY!
Wordless Wednesday: Catching Snowflakes In Spring
Mother's Day Gifting ~ Gifting deals (some still available until May 9th)
Breakfast Review ~ Squeeze In, Reno, NV ~ The Best omelettes on the planet...and they aren't kidding!

May Giveaway Link-Up! ~ Link your giveaways & enter as many as you like!Kathy van Zeeland Giveaway ~ Win a Kathy van Zeeland clutch!

View complete posting: Friday Follow ~ Mother's Day Weekend 5/07

I Am Not A Fan...of Snakes. Do's & Don'ts For Snake Bites

Ever since I can remember, I have hated snakes. Now, I know that there are some good ones out there...like the gopher snake. He keeps those pesky mice and such away. But I really, pretty much totally, hate snakes. The last thing I like to think about is coming across the path of a snake. And I definately don't want to think about my kiddles coming in contact with any snakes. (oh the chills and crawling skin I feel now)

Since there are still some of us that are bound to be in snake country at one point or another this summer...I thought that I'd list some Do's and Don'ts in case you (or anyone you're with) are actually bitten by one of these creatures...

View complete posting: I Am Not A Fan...of Snakes. Do's & Don'ts For Snake Bites

Sunrise Smoothie

I'm not much of morning person, so anything that can help brighten my day is always welcomed. This is a very simple recipe for a quick jumpstart to a healthy day...packed with vitamin C & potassium too! PLUS, it's a great gluten-free option. Added Bonus: The Kiddles Love It!

So I start with crushed ice...2-3 cups depending on how thick I want my smoothie. (and if I'm using fresh fruit, I always make it 3 cups of ice) Pour in one cup of vanilla flavored Almond Milk. You could also use vanilla flavored Soy Milk, but I personally prefer the Almond Milk for this smoothie.

View complete posting: Sunrise Smoothie

Wordless Wednesday (Late) ~ Catching Snowflakes In Spring

View Main Site: The Chatty Mom ~ Home Page

Sunrise Smoothie

I'm not much of morning person, so anything that can help brighten my day is always welcomed. This is a very simple recipe for a quick jumpstart to a healthy day...packed with vitamin C & potassium too! PLUS, it's a great gluten-free option. Added Bonus: The Kiddles Love It!

So I start with crushed ice...2-3 cups depending on how thick I want my smoothie. (and if I'm using fresh fruit, I always make it 3 cups of ice) Pour in one cup of vanilla flavored Almond Milk. You could also use vanilla flavored Soy Milk, but I personally prefer the Almond Milk for this smoothie...

View complete posting: Sunrise Smoothie

I Am Not A Fan...of Snakes!

Ever since I can remember, I have hated snakes. Now, I know that there are some good ones out there...like the gopher snake. He keeps those pesky mice and such away. But I really, pretty much totally, hate snakes. The last thing I like to think about is coming across the path of a snake. And I definately don't want to think about my kiddles coming in contact with any snakes. (oh the chills and crawling skin I feel now)

When I was 5 years old, we moved from Anahiem, CA to Temecula, CA. From city life to country life. And I loved it! Except for the rattlesnakes. Every Spring thru Fall, my eyes were on constant look-out for snakes. All snakes. It didn't matter if it was a red racer, gopher, king snake or rattlesnake. They were the last thing on my list of wanting to come in contact with.


View complete posting: I Am Not A Fan...of Snakes! Do's & Don'ts For Snake Bites

Mother's Day Gifting

Mother's Day is just around the corner...and for the past 5 years I've been hit with the same question, "What do you want for Mother's Day?"

And usually there is a look of bewilderment that is attached to that question.

Reason: My birthday is on May 1st. So my poor Charming has already hit the shopping arena once for me in a 2 week period.

My response: Old Hollywood movies, to which he always says, "That's all you baby", and cookbooks. So, he typically heads over to Barnes and Noble.

That way he can kill two birds with one stone...cookbooks and movies...


View complete posting: Mother's Day Gifting

Breakfast Review ~ Squeeze In, Reno, NV

$-$$$ *****
If you are a Food Network junkie like I am, then chances are that you caught the Throwdown With Bobby Flay...the challenge Omelettes! I was pleasantly surprised to find that this Throwdown took place right in my own backyard...Reno, NV. And the target...the Squeeze In.

The Squeeze In? I had never heard of it before. How was that possible after living in Reno for a year, asking everyone where the best food spots were, could we have missed a golden nugget like Squeeze In?! Were people deliberately holding back that information? Did they want to assure that lines and wait times would not grow?

View complete posting: Breakfast Review ~ Squeeze In, Reno, NV

'Tis The Night Before Birthday

'Tis the night before birthday and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse.
The kiddles were out with their Daddy to shop and to dine,
While Momma was home enjoying the quiet time.
Cake batter was flying and coffee was brewing,
The player was ready for some Taming Of The Shrew-ing.

I suppose that this would be the best way to describe my evening...so peaceful. And a chance to actually enjoy one of my favorite old classic Hollywood movies. That Liz Taylor, boy was she great at being a shrew. There's just something so nice about watching her turn from a complete disaster of a woman into a loving and gentle lady...with Richard Burton's help. He cracks me up!

View complete posting: 'Tis The Night Before Birthday

Entering The Gluten-Free Zone

This week I am endeavouring to learn as much as I can about living a gluten-free life. That means that I'm going to become totally immersed into reading everything I can to understand how to make this lifestyle transition...for my little Grace. And then the casein-free (otherwise known as dairy free) world if necessary.

Grace has almost always had these dark purple or red circles under her eyes...in fact, when I looked at photos this morning, I realized that the time that she didn't have them was when she was about 18 months old and I had started using Almond Milk as a substitute for soy milk. (poor little thing was born lactose intolerant, just like her Momma is now) Now 5-years-old and about to enter kindergarten, I'm also trying to see if glutens are affecting her listening and direction following. Or if she's just evoking her rights to refuse to listen and follow direction. (I've known ALOT of kids like that)...

View complete posting: Entering The Gluten-Free Zone