MyBaby - LatteMommy Journal

Chicken Soup recipe quick and easy!!

Posted December 28, 2007 at 4:22PM by LatteMommy
LatteMommy

Ok here is my really easy recipe for Chicken Soup. I am not big on cooking but I'd rather make my own chicken soup for my families health and oh so tasty and GOOD FOR YOU! (almost fat free)

$4.98 Rotisserie Chicken from Sam's Club or your favorite place - roughly chopped or shredded which ever way you prefer or is easier

3 or 4 large carrots peeled and sliced thinly - organic

1 stalk of celery peeled and sliced down the middle length ways and chopped thin

1/2 a medium onion (what ever kind is your favorite)

1 can diced tomatoes' - organic low sodium

1/2 a can/box of spinach drained and squeezed as dry as possible - organic

1 can of Northern beans drained - low sodium and organic

2 boxes of low sodium organic chicken stock

1 bag of Uncle Ben's whole grain rice in a bag cooked for 8 minutes

A handful of flat leaf parsley chopped fine

......................................................................................................................................................

In a BIG pot, saute the onion and celery for a few minutes on medium heat.

Add carrots as you sliced them up.

Add spinach (squeezed dry as you can get it)

Add tomatoes' (entire can - just open and dump in)

Add chicken

Add stock

Add beans (whatever kind you prefer really)

Cover pot and simmer for about 20 minutes till a slight bubbling occurs. Then add the rice and cover pot for about 5 minutes.

Remove and serve and garnish with parsley.

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH AND TASTE BUDS!! ENJOY.

Tags: Chicken Soup

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Sticky_Mommy responded January 2, 2008 at 9:37AM

I love my job, it gives me a break from my kids!

Sounds yummy - thanks for sharing!

LatteMommy responded January 4, 2008 at 8:01PM

LatteMommy

Okay, I changed it up a bit tonight. Yup made it again as we all are sick again. Put in cabbage instead of rice and no beans but cut fresh green beans and more carrots and 2 stalks of celery and no spinach.
I will admit the above posted is MUCH TASTIER!!
Our dog goes NUTTS when we bring the chicken home from Sam's club. Also the chopping drives her nuts too, so I have to put her outside in the cold with her coat on until I'm done. LOL. I can get DD to eat this, so we are happy with it and it lasts a few meals too.
Fresh ingrediants is the best taste.

Saw something on the News

Posted December 28, 2007 at 4:01PM by LatteMommy
LatteMommy

Good grief....was just watching the new and in Jacksonville, FL a plant explosion was caught on tape. Horrible. Anyone else see that video? What the heck happened?

Tags: news story

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This year's Christmas Travel

Posted December 27, 2007 at 9:25PM by LatteMommy
LatteMommy

We had a good trip up North for Christmas. We arrived late Thursday night (before Christmas). Friday we went visiting family all around the State. Got to bed late Friday. Very early Saturday am DD woke vomiting. Thought it was at first just from her choking on her water. NO SUCH LUCK. Yup, you guessed it.... STOMACH FLU!! Oui.

I got up and took my shower and got a little sick (but my thinking it was just too much popcorn). We both felt fine for a little bit. Then all of a sudden it hit like a freight train. Both ends at the same time.... both DD and I. I proceeded to take my place on my Uncle and Aunt's bathroom floor all day. DH ran back and forth taking care of both of us and the puppy. Finally by late afternoon dd was feeling much better and I finally stopped throwing up. Gosh it was awful. My Aunt (God bless her) did our washing cause DD went threw all the clothes we brought with us.

SO needless to say.....not knowingly we ended up spreading it to others. Gosh we just felt horrible about it but there was nothing we could have done to change it.

That stomach flu is horrible this year. Thought I would end up having DH take me to the ER it got that bad. It spreads like wild fire. DH didn't get it until Monday when we were driving back home. Yup he had to endure a long car ride while having the stomach flu. He was also sick all day Christmas Day. We are now all mended up and finally feeling better. Now we are just awaiting the next cold to strike.

I've been off and on sick since before Thanksgiving ....Sinus Infection, Upper Respiratory Infection, Bronchitis and then Stomach Flu.......I'M DONE! No more please.

I'm very Thankful for my wonderful husband and his care and also to my family for keeping up with my endless need for ice cold water and care. I thank God for it not hitting my daughter so hard like it hit me. Grateful.

It's good to be home and all of us feeling better. That's what I'm most Thankful for this Christmas.

SO.....HOW WAS YOUR CHRISTMAS?

Tags: How was your Christmas

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Sticky_Mommy responded December 28, 2007 at 9:07AM

I love my job, it gives me a break from my kids!

OMG - that happened to us too! Everyone was sick from both ends (sorry TMI). My Mom was sick on X-mas, that was a bummer, so we had the kids open gifts from Meme & Pepe on Wed. The only person who didn't get sick was Pepe. Lucky.

My friend put it in perpective, at least you lost some weight! LOL

vtmomof2 responded December 28, 2007 at 10:29AM

Life is crazy but wonderful.

We were all sick also. My daughter threw up on her birthday, my mom was sick over the weekend, and christmas eve I had the worst stomach ache that lasted until this morning. I didn't throw up, thankfully. I also battled a headache for 3 days. My hubby is upstairs in bed with a stomach ache as I write this. Must be a bad bug going around. Happy to hear you're feeling better now.

Sticky_Mommy responded December 28, 2007 at 3:23PM

I love my job, it gives me a break from my kids!

Did you know people can't leave you a note b/c your notes cubby is minamized. I wanted to write back to you!

Drug pushing Doctor's

Posted December 18, 2007 at 11:34PM by LatteMommy
LatteMommy

Well before Thanksgiving I got really sick and went to the Doctor's. Had a Sinus infection and was put on an antibiotic. Got better in time for Turkey. Yeah. But then when we got back I got sick again. Went to the Doctor again and he put me on ANOTHER antibiotic for an upper respiratory infection. Finished that and still not feeling a 100%. Went back to the Doctor's this time but decided to see a different Doctor. I complained to her that I'm worried all these antibiotic's are messing up my immune system and I'm nervous that my body can't fight these infections on it's own. She agreed that I've been put on way too many antibiotic's this year and said she wasn't putting me on another one. She said I definitely don't have any infection this time but because of the coughing I've irritated my bronchiolar area and wants me to nutritionally fight it along with taking musinex to help the sinus drainage. Boy hearing what she had to say and think really made me feel comforted that she is going to help me boost my own immune system and also send me later on for Allergy testing. I haven't been tested in 10 years and she doesn't understand why any of the Doctor's I have seen in the past haven't sent me. She is fresh out of school and up on the latest info. She agreed that a lot of Doctor's out there are too quick to push drugs on patients just to get them out of the office. That is exactly how I've felt all these years. It was the reason why I left my last Doctor too and went to these new Doctor's. I really like the fact that she gave me suggestions on foods to eat and juicing to do in order to boost my immunity. It'll be tough while going away for Christmas, but I think from now till the time we leave will give me a good head start.

My daughter will be happy to help me juice again. She loves it cause she gets to have JUICE!

Juicing:

5 carrots

2 apples

a bunch of kale

I throw in parsley too

Eating: cranberries, pomegranate, eating oranges, raspberries and blueberries.

Soup: low sodium chicken stock, potatoes, carrots, lentils, celery, parsley, leeks, beans, cabbage. Yummy.

I'm keeping up with the Neti pot too.

Here's to all our health and also wishing you all the best of health!

Tags: healthy eating

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rockergirrl responded December 19, 2007 at 6:56AM

www.findbarefootbooks.com

I agree. Overuse of antibiotics is one of the reasons we have staph infection running ragged now.

FrecklQn responded December 19, 2007 at 8:33AM

check out my entry on "Soup to die for" for a soup recipe that includes many of the soup ingredients you've mentioned.

kittenmama responded December 19, 2007 at 9:02AM

i've never felt as though the doctors really give you more than 15 minutes even though you've been waiting for an hour. they just want to get you out - it's nice to hear that there are still doctors out there who believe in something other than pharmaceuticals!! where did you switch to?

vtmomof2 responded December 19, 2007 at 9:46AM

Life is crazy but wonderful.

My doctor is just like this. He is great. He always gives me ideas and tips to improve my health. I have bad allergies, and if not controlled they can cause a lot of trouble. I went to him for the first time when I had a bad cold that turned into bronchitis. He gave me meds for the infection, but discovered I had untreated asthma. So he started to treat both my allergies and asthma, and I have felt so much better ever since. I don't have as many colds, and they don't get as bad when I do have one. He has gotten me into gardening since he said working the dirt helps alleviate allergies by exposing your immune system to dirt. I think it has helped. I still have allergies, but not as bad as they used to be.

Update on the Teaching department

Posted December 18, 2007 at 11:06PM by LatteMommy
LatteMommy

So I don't know why but I've felt pressured lately to really get DD on the grind of teaching her how to write. I'm not the most patient person so I've recruited DH to help (he's the patient one in this group). We are working it so she doesn't feel pressured but at the same time trying to keep her focused at the task at hand. Keeping it fun, like play time to her. She really responds well to positive discipline and reinforcements and structure. (yes we are learning too).

We have this large wipe board and laid it on the floor and played school. Since we've changed our phone number we are really trying to teach her the new number and writing it too. Last night was a real challenge since she is in the "I can't do it" stage. But DH is to be commended BIG time for his patience with her and his persistent teaching. We got her to write out the whole phone number by the end of the night and OMG we are SO Proud of her. THEN today she wanted to have the markers again to play with Mommy. I went into the kitchen and came back out to see that the number she had so much trouble with was written very nicely on the board and she told me what it was too! I almost cried cause I was SO proud of her. She really is doing good. It just takes discipline on my part to make sure to work with her everyday and keep practicing.

Anyone have anymore tips?

Tags: proud mommy moment

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dhiya responded December 19, 2007 at 5:04AM

That is great...Good that she is picking up quickly,she is a smart girl...I believe in 'POSITIVE' parenting & reinforcement and that is a nice way of disciplining and it works most of the times...Parents also need to be a little strict at times but only if required..

dustbunny responded December 19, 2007 at 10:53AM

dishing the dirt, cleaning the chaos

remember kids sometimes slide backwards or regress. also, remember it's common to write b, d and other letters backwards- all the way through first grade (even second). good luck and nice work!tracing and dot to dot can help develop writing skils :)

LatteMommy responded December 19, 2007 at 12:15AM

LatteMommy

Thanks for the tips!

Oh just admit it already!!

Posted December 17, 2007 at 10:31PM by LatteMommy
LatteMommy

Just how many Candy canes do you treat yourself to during the Holidays?

I'm at about 3 so far. I am old fashion, just love the peppermint ones.

What's your favorite kind of Holiday treat?

Tags: candy canes

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Sticky_Mommy responded December 18, 2007 at 7:55AM

I love my job, it gives me a break from my kids!

I'm not a big fan of mint. I'd rather eat holiday cookies and chocolate in Christmas colors!

rockergirrl responded December 18, 2007 at 8:07AM

www.findbarefootbooks.com

oh chocolate and baked goods are my weakness during the holidays.

vtmomof2 responded December 18, 2007 at 11:09AM

Life is crazy but wonderful.

I have had 2 candy canes, one cherry and one peppermint. Cookies and candies are my real weakness though. I can't resist them.

Mumsey responded December 19, 2007 at 10:14AM

I must admit, since Thanksgiving, I have been giving myself 'way too much permission to eat stuff I moderate during the year. My favorite? Chocolate mints fresh out of the freezer - I don't eat too many of my own cookies as I never seem to have enough done to supply all the friends that I send cookies to. My favorite cookie is called a "Pecan Puff" (devistatingly delicious) but with regular cookies, crushed candy cane is a yummy topping!

I think I'm lagging in the Teaching department

Posted December 12, 2007 at 12:14AM by LatteMommy
LatteMommy

I'm a SAHM and I really believe I do try hard to teach my daughter something new each day. She is 3 yrs. 8 mo's old. After over hearing a conversation between the Mom's at her Ballet class, it seems my daughter is behind. I put a lot of pressure on myself being a SAHM cause I want to do right by her and for her best interest. After hearing what they said, it seems by "the standards of today" my daughter is behind.

I didn't know that by the time they are 3 years old they should know their phone number and by 3 1/2 ...their whole address and be able to write their name and by 4 they are suppose to know the whole alphabet and be able to sound out each letter? IS THIS CORRECT? When the heck did all that change? I was told that they learn to READ in Kindergarten. WoW!

I thought pre-school (at age 4) was when they learned to recognize their ABC's and numbers. My daughter has been able to recite her alphabet and counts to 20 and can write the word Mom, but not her own name yet and we are working on her phone number (she's confused cause we got rid of our home phone and now it's only my cell number, she's combining the two numbers now).

Every time I try to teach her something and she gets frustrated she puts her hands over her ears and says she doesn't want to talk to me. I try a calmer approach but don't have much luck, so I ask DH to help and he does a better job cause she's not sick of him. She's with me all day and I guess feels like I'm nagging rather than teaching. I'm trying to make it into games and music now to help and have a bunch of great books. BUT at the same time I feel like I'm pushing her and she should be playing and doing whatever and that she'll have plenty of time for school later and I don't want to burn her out. Then at the same time I don't want her to be so far behind where "the standards" say she should be at for her age.

I'm frustrated.

Tags: teaching our kids

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rockergirrl responded December 12, 2007 at 7:01AM

www.findbarefootbooks.com

Don't be frustrated. Follow your heart. I think you are doing the right thing. I do not buy into this rush em' into learning mentality that exists now. In my opinion preschool should still start at age 4. People can call it preschool before age 4 but it is really just daycare to me. Children at this young age need to be playing. They learn by playing. Pushing it any earlier in my opinion is harmful to the child. I am doing what you are doing. My second child is home with me (age 2 1/2) and everyone keeps asking me when I am going to put him into preschool. I am in no rush at all. My oldest child grew up in daycare and preschool and I hate that I missed all of those years with him. I am now able to do what I had always wanted to do with my first and that is keep them home until what I feel is appropriate preschool age. If you daughter doesn't want to have daily lessons then she is not ready for that kind of learning. Stick to your guns. I think you are doing the right thing.

LatteMommy responded December 12, 2007 at 10:30AM

LatteMommy

THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I AGREE WITH YOU TOTALLY. My DH and I agree that preschool shouldn't start until they are age 4. We don't want her to get burnt out on school. We want her to be excited to go, not dred it. I'm gonna keep working with her everyday.

vtmomof2 responded December 12, 2007 at 10:36AM

Life is crazy but wonderful.

I agree with rockergirl, you shouldn't push this on her. If she is covering her ears then she doesn't want to do it, and you shouldn't push it. If it makes you feel better, my son just turned 4 and he doesn't know his phone number. I never even thought about teaching it to him. He is in his 2nd year of preschool and he is advanced of their requirements. He has already hit all the milestones to enter kindergarten, but I'm in no hurry. I really put him in preschool to play with other kids for a few hours a day. I think too many parents concentrate of what their kids can memorize instead of letting them grow and explore on their own. My daughter is fascinated with earth sciences, and I think she has learned more by my just hanging a map on her wall and her exploring it on her own rather than my forcing her to memorize parts of it. My kids are curious and have an interest in learning because I have never pushed it on them. Kids are naturally curious and will learn everything they need to in due time. Don't worry about what other parents are doing, just focus on your daughter. Let her own curiousity guide you, don't force her to memorize stuff simply because that is what other kids know.

WILMom responded December 12, 2007 at 11:19AM

Mommy of 2 Girls!

Rockergirrl is so right. Why rush these kids, so that they can be burnt out on school by age 10? Your little girl will learn at the pace she is meant to. I know it's hard not to compare, but think of the big picture, it will all work out if she enjoys learning :)

dustbunny responded December 12, 2007 at 3:41PM

dishing the dirt, cleaning the chaos

if it helps, all that "advanced learning" that preschools push on kids evens out in third grade anyway...the jump start doesn't help much academically anyway- or so I have heard! just keep chatting, reading, adventuring and make games out of everything. seriously, because you shouldn't worry. she will learn those things...that's measurable but all the things you teach her internally is not measurable and cannot be compared- you know? I have ideas for tossing "teachable" moments into the chill sahm routine...I'll post them. good luck!

No Santa for YOU!

Posted December 9, 2007 at 9:59PM by LatteMommy
LatteMommy

Okay, we are trying to fit in our busy schedule our daughter visiting Santa and getting her picture taken and so she can tell him what she wants for Christmas. Well, I figured since we had some time mid-morning I would get her dressed up and do her hair and out the door we'd go. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

Well "Little Miss Attitude" had other things planned for us....how about Temper Tantrum and talking back, yelling at us, oh it was just a joy....NOT. Told her get your tookess in time out right now or we don't go see Santa today. Oh boy that started WAR!

Finally got time out done, got her dressed and hair done and thought she had learned her lesson and things were calm again.....NOPE THOUGHT WRONG! LOL. She turned into this little devil child screaming at us and telling us what she was going to do and how things were going to be. Really testing us lately and seeing how far she can push us. Taking advantage of the hectic schedule around here. Oh how SHE was in for it this time!

Had to get food for the house since we were at the bare minimum, so on our way there DH and I agreed NO SANTA. We both told her. He dropped me off at the front door and there he sat in the truck with a screaming 3 yr. old very upset that she wasn't going to see Santa. We stuck to our guns and didn't take her. We made her take a nap today and when she woke up after a 2 hour nap, she was in a bad mood and tried to make us feel guilty for not taking her to see Santa. We had one word for her "tough". Think she learned a lesson.

I think (though very tiring) consistency works best (at least for us so far).

Tags: No Santa for you

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vtmomof2 responded December 10, 2007 at 9:24AM

Life is crazy but wonderful.

Stick to your guns, it is the only way too make her understand that bad behavior does not get you what you want. Sounds like our christmas tree trip this weekend, except my daughter is almost 10. I don't understand a temper tantrum never got her what she wanted, but she will still through a fit, but it is more of a pouting, crying, complaining thing now.

scirillo responded December 27, 2007 at 8:27PM

It can be hard.. but you did the right thing! It is better to have a 3 year old through a temper tantrum instead of a 13!
I work with kids who have no limits and can do what they want.. trust me, it gets worse as they get older!
Way to go mom!

LatteMommy responded December 27, 2007 at 8:37PM

LatteMommy

thanks. everyone keeps telling us that it gets worse as they get older. oui.

UPDATE ON NEEDING A BREAK

Posted December 3, 2007 at 9:14AM by LatteMommy
LatteMommy

Well it's been over a year since we've been on vacation and as I've posted I just need a break. Well, since DH has his vacation left still, I finally convinced him to take at least two days of it after Christmas and give himself a BREAK that he REALLY needs! He will be off work for TWELVE (12) days!!!

I'm excited because I'm going to let him rest after we get back from Up North for the Holidays, then I plan to take my break. I don't care where I go or what I do but it is going to involve a lot of sleep and no laundry or dishes or whinnying just regular WINE! I'm thinking about booking myself into a Hotel down in Annapolis, MD for one night and just chilling. I hope it works out, just got to make it happen!

Tags: getting away

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