Spiritual Parenting's Thought of the Day - Feel God's Love

I really enjoy receiving Spiritual Parenting Thought for The Month newsletter, offered at Spirtual Parenting.com. I usually read it, perhaps make a few notes to myself and then disgard it. But this month, I found something so very touching that I just had to post about it.

The 'For Making the Day a Whole New Beginning' segment stated the following:
Snuggle up close to your child, whisper into their ear that God's love surrounds them. Then wave your arms around them, spritizing water and ask if they can feel the love!

I really like the meaning behind starting one's day, this way, especially with our teens. Instead of just being in a rush why not take a moment or two to let your children know how much God and we love them, everyday.

Some parents do this by reading morning devotion, pray over their children or giving them a hug and smile when they get up, to start their day. Find your way and then show it

Movie Recommendation: 'Hollywoodland'

My husband and I really did enjoyed 'Hollywoodland': the look, acting and the pace and especially Adrien Brody's performance. Diane Ladd and Ben Affleck were terrific too! This movie isn't for the whole family. This is a movie that appealed to us both. There's some sexual content and language. But if you're looking for a weekend movie to enjoy watching with your special someone, consider adding this one to your must watch list!

Read the following editorial Amazon.com review:
Amazon.comThe fact-based mystery of Hollywoodland takes place in 1959, when the death of Adventures of Superman TV star George Reeves cast a pall over the waning days of golden-age Hollywood. As written by Paul Bernbaum, this intriguing whodunit effectively evokes the tainted atmosphere that surrounded Reeves' death (officially ruled a suicide but never conclusively solved), and speculates on circumstances to suggest that Reeves may have been murdered. In combining the melancholy course of Reeves' career with the investigation of a down-and-out private detective into the possible causes of Reeves' death, the film evolves into an engrossing study of parallels between lives on either side of the Hollywood dream. Building upon a distinguished career in TV including episodes of HBO's The Sopranos, Rome and Six Feet Under, director Allen Coulter finds a satisfying balance between the tragic overtones of the Reeves case and the time-honored elements of the gumshoe genre, with Adrien Brody doing fine work as private eye Louis Simo, a fictional composite character who is our conduit to the desperate yearnings of Reeves' final months.

In a critically acclaimed performance, Ben Affleck plays Reeves in moody flashbacks, caught between Superman stardom and financial dependence on his lover Toni Mannix (Diane Lane), the somewhat predatory wife of Hollywood "fixer" and MGM honcho Eddie Mannix (Bob Hoskins), whose mob connections suggest foul play as Simo's investigation progresses. Reeves' subsequent lover (played by Robin Tunney) may also be culpable, and as Simo's own personal life unravels, his empathy for Reeves takes on added significance. In presenting its mystery as a set of plausible scenarios, Hollywoodland holds interest as a mystery that's refreshingly compassionate toward the fate of its characters. Warts and all, they're likable dreamers in a town where dreams don't always come true. --Jeff Shannon

Slow Cooking Thursday - April 12

Recipes are courtesy of 'Fix It and Forget It Cookbook: Feasting with your Slow Cooker' by Dawn J. Ranck and Phyllis Pellman Good. *you could try this with Sweet Potatoes too! Please join us at Diary of a SAHM for Slow Cooking Thursdays.

Baked Potatoes

6 medium baking potatoes

butter or margarine

Prick potatoes with fork. Rub each with either butter or margarine. Place in Slow Cooker. Cover. Cook on High for 3 to 5 hours or Low 6 to 10 hours.

Caramelized Onions

6-8 large Vidalia or other Sweet Onions

4 Tablespoons butter or margarine

10 oz can low sodium chicken or vegetable broth

Peel onions. Remove stem and root ends. Place in slow cooker. Pour butter and broth over. Cook on Low for 12 hours.

Serve as a side dish or use onions and liquid to flavor soups or stews or as topping for pizza, steaks, ect.

BerryMorins Bits and Tips Recommend Weekly Blog - Gluten-Free Goddess

One of the things that I've noticed when visiting blogs, on Menu Plan Mondays, is how many people are dealing with special diet requirements. There are some blogs dealing with these issues, one that truly stands out is Gluten-Free Goddess. I discovered it while visiting This Mama Cooks! blog.

At her blog, you'll find tasty and appealing recipes, that will everyone, at the dinner table will enjoy. How about trying her Lasagna Vegetariana recipe? Or Veggies Shepards Pie?

Her profile states that six years ago, Celiac Disease changed her life. She cooks, writes and makes art from a new perspective: Gluten-Free.

You'll definitely want to bookmark her blog!

Works-For-Me Wednesday - Carol Guber's Type 2 Diabetes Life Plan Book

This book is a must read for all diabetics and their families. It's a complete overview of the understanding and learning about the disease and how to live a healthier life. It should be also be a permanent reference in the family library.

I was able to finish reading this book in 2 days! I learned more about the medications, that my husband is taking, from this book, than from his doctor. I found that many of the food choices that he loves, he can still enjoy but with moderation. (this applies to all of us) And how important massages and lowering bad stress are for his circulation.

The book is called 'Carol Guber's Type 2 Diabetes Life Plan: Take Charge, Take Care and Feel Better Than Ever' by Carol Guber MS with Betsy Thorpe. Check it out from your local public library or visit Amazon.com.

Get Rid of All The Cereal Boxes, Please by Christine Steendahl

One of the kitchen tools that has become increasingly popular is the cold cereal dispenser. For many families that have children, cereal is a great breakfast option or snack idea that is nutritious and convenient. With help from a cold cereal dispenser, you can make sure that your family can easily fill their cereal bowls without the added distractions of open cereal boxes that may lose freshness rapidly and can get messy.

Most of the cold cereal dispensers are the perfect size to fit on your countertop and many come in multiple palettes to match any kitchen design. There are many benefits to cold cereal dispensers, here are just a few:

• Cold cereal dispensers are very convenient and usually deliver the perfect amount to your breakfast cereal bowl. No more measuring out your portions.

• Cold cereal dispensers are a good way to keep your cereal fresh and sanitary. No need to worry about stale cereals, due to being left open. Cereal dispensers are sealed to be air tight.

• Cold cereal dispensers are also very easy to clean up. Clean up is a snap and you can easily restock your dispenser in a matter of minutes.

• If you have little children, they can easily pour their own, without cereal being scattered all over the kitchen table.

• Most cereal dispensers can move either right or left, so you can easily access your cereal from the reservoir.

• Finally, most cold cereal dispensers are easy on the wallet, available for less than $50.There are two standard variations of cereal dispensers; each normally similar to gumball machines that are placed on the countertop. There is almost always a reservoir that holds a few liters of cereal. Some are equipped to hold up to one gallon or more. Below the reservoir that holds the cereal is a small lever to access the cereal. The cereal is usually dispensed through a small chute that you can place your bowl underneath. Cold cereal dispensers may come with one container or multiple containers to hold a selection of different cereals.

Article by:
To Purchase Your Very Own Cereal Dispenser Visit Family Kitchen Boutique. www.familykitchenboutique.com You can find cereal dispensers here. www.familykitchenboutique.com/catalog.php?category=1

Menu Plan Monday - April 8

You can read about our cooking lesson experience at Great News! by clicking here. And it's Bra Fitting Week, so check out my post, with links for measuring and sizing. I've haven't been up to par, with the cool weather so this week is going to be very laid back.

Chicken Stir Fry

Chicken Pattie Sandwiches with Mixed Green Salad

Hamburgers with Mixed Green Salad

Lasagna (Low Fat Cheese)

Soup with Sandwiches

Great Time at Great News! Cooking School !

Marcus and I had a terrific time at the Great News Cooking School. The class, that we attended, was Quick and Easy Lunch: Springtime Asparagus and Strawberries with Phillis Carey, Author of 'The Casual Gourmet Presents: Fast and Fabulous Chicken Breasts' and 'Fast and Fabulous Entertaining Menus'.

The menu was Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Toasted Almonds, Herb Crusted Salmon with Asparagus Beurre Blanc, Roasted Red Potatoes with Cajun Seasoning and Strawberry Jam Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Yummy!

After checking in, getting our name tags, we then took a seat. The school has large TV monitors located for easy viewing. I was asked by a server if I would like wine, which I declined. We helped ourselves to the complimentary water, Passion Tea, bread and dips.

Phillis Carey has enthusiasm for cooking which one cannot miss. She provided alternatives with each recipe, as well as tips. I appreciate her tip on preparing asparagus. Hold ends of asparagus, pull back tip till it breaks, discard ends.

Just like on a cooking TV show, there were plenty of 'magic' - completed dishes so you could see the finished product. The Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Toasted Almonds was amazing. Marcus really enjoyed it, even the almonds. The salmon was moist and tender. I did ask if other fish could be substituted and yes, you can. Just remember if you're using milder fish don't use the mustard. It will be overwhelming. The asparagus was tender and I really like the Beurre Blanc sauce. Marcus ate a few of the asparagus but decided he's still not a fan. The potatoes were also a winner with us. They were perfect, crispy outside and moist inside. A tip was to turn them halfway between cooking time. And we have to mention the dessert. It was a perfect ending to this meal. I found it very rich and couldn't finish it. Marcus, of course, loved it and yes, he finished mine.

We also were able to do some shopping during break. Great News! is also a discount cooking store that carries high end items. We purchased a Scanpan Stove Top Grill and Stonewall Kitchen Mango Salsa. The Sales Attendent was extremely helpful, answered many of our questions and even took our new grill to the front, so we could continue our shopping. Marcus loves the store. (he was like a little kid in a candy store) We had alot of fun discovering new kitchen and cooking gadgets.

This was truly a very memorable day spent with my teen.

Bra Fitting Week - April 8 to 14

When is the last time you were measured for a bra? A year ago? Maybe more? Have you had a change in your weight? Did you know that you should measure yourself at least once a year? Losing or gaining weight can effect your breast size. Did you know that 8 out of 10 women are wearing the wrong bra?

Visit One Hanes Place Lingerie.com for the Bra Measuring Instructions and Bra Sizing. You'll need a sewing tape measure, pen and paper.

Are your bra straps cutting into your shoulders? Solution: You may be overtightening your strap, loosen it. Does the back of your bra ride up in back? Solution: Try loosen the straps and tighten the band. If that doesn't work you may need a smaller bra. Check out
Bra Fit Solutions for help.

If you would like some help with your fitting stop by your local store. Many of the better department and lingerie stores will measure you for free. Just ask.

Happy Easter

Easter is time to celebrate the life and resurrection of Christ. May you and yours be blessed with many happy beginnings.