Tasty Tuesday

This weekend, we had beautiful, sunny spring weather and began to think that spring was really here. This morning, we woke up to this.

That means there has been snow on the ground EVERY day since October 22nd.  For those of you thinking that might be normal for Canada...no, not at all!  It was almost completely gone after this weekend, but we still did have one big pile left. 

Since winter decided to rear her head again this morning, I decided to make some hearty, warm soup for lunch.  (Sorry, no pictures because I am just starting to chop the vegetables and haven't assembled it yet.)  This recipe was my Great Gramma's and has been passed down for years.  I love the few differences from an "average" hamburger soup; like shredded carrots.  Enjoy!

Hamburger Soup
1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef - browned
1 medium onion, chopped
1 - 28g can tomatoes
3 cans consumme
2 cans tomato soup
2 cans of water (use one of the empty soup cans)
4 carrots, grated
1 - 3 bay leaves
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 tsp. dry parsley
1/2 tsp. thyme
8 tbsp. barley
1/2 tsp. dill seed
salt & pepper, to taste
Brown meat, drain fat.  Add all ingredients to slow cooker.  Cook on medium in large soup pot for 3 - 4 hours. 

I like to serve with buns or biscuits, and a nice, light tossed salad.  This soup is very filling and I always get compliments on it.  It can also be made in the slow cooker, and it freezes great!  I will often make a batch in the slow cooker and one at the stove, at the same time.  Then I freeze half for another day. 

Question of the Day: Will spring every come to stay?  :)

Random Acts of Kindness

Last week, I wrote that each week I would be performing one random act of kindness in honor of the kids from Sandy Hook, victims at Boston Marathon, and all the other victims from senseless acts of violence.  You can read that post here. 

Source

This week, I bought a $5 Tim Horton's (a popular Canadian coffee joint) gift card and placed it under the windshield wiper of a stranger's vehicle.  I wrote on package, "To: You   From: Me   "Hope you get a smile, pass it on."  I don't know who got that card, but I hope it brought a smile to their face.  I'm disappointed in myself because it didn't occur to me at the time to take a picture. :(  Oh, well, next time! 

In other news, on Friday the blogosphere was a-buzz with new runDisney news.  You can read the full press-release here.  If you haven't heard, to sum it up: runDisney has announced they will have a new challenge at the 2014 Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World.  Similar to the newly announced Dumbo Double Dare and Dopey challenges, there will be an all-new 10k race offered Princess weekend.  If you complete both the 10k race and the half marathon, you will complete the Glass Slipper Challenge and receive an additional medal. 

As new in 2014, there will be a special edition Coast-to-Coast Race Challenge Medal for those who complete the Tinkerbell Half Marathon in Disneyland in January and the Princess Half Marathon in February. 

Source

 

What do these new announcements mean to me?  I'm not sure.  All along, I have been planning on running the Tinkerbell Half Marathon in January.  Being from the Canadian Prairies, Disneyland is a lot quicker and easier to get to.  At Disneyland, we can stay across the street and walk to the parks.  BUT, the Glass Slipper Challenge is throwing a wrench into my plans.  And the special edition Coast-to-Coast Race Challenge Medal is really messing with me.  I have myself questioning whether there's anyway I could fit a solo trip to the Princess Half Marathon to get them all! 

 

 

Question of the Day: What would you do if you were in my shoes?  Tinkerbell Half Marathon or Princess Half Marathon?



Disney California Adventure Park

Last year my hubby and I, along with our 3 children and my parents visited the Disneyland Resort.  You can read more about our Disneyland adventures here.  Since it's Friday, it's sunny, and it seems like spring has arrived, I wanted to share something fun.  Here are a few pictures from DCA. 

Paradise Pier lit up at night.

 

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror  - one of my favorite rides!

 

Hollywood Boulevard (yes, we went during the slow season)

 

 Ariel's Grotto



We had lunch one day at Ariel's Grotto.  It was the only character meal that we did, and chose it because my daughter loves the princesses and the food had good reviews.  We loved it!  Yes, it was costly, but felt it was well-worth the meals we got and the character interaction.  I have never done a character meal and can guarantee I will be doing more on every trip now. 

We were very fortunate that our two year old twins easily fell asleep and had great naps in their stroller.  The stroller reclined completely and had big sun canopies that kept them covered.  Grampa had to resort to benches to have his afternoon nap. 

Wow, I realized I really didn't take very many pictures in DCA.  I will have to get my Mom's disc again and see if she has more because I'm sure there is.  Bottom line: This vacation was a blast!  We heard a lot of "negative" comments about taking three little children to Disney.  I am so glad that we ignored them and went ahead because it was one of the best vacations I have ever been on.   The joy as they experienced Disney was incredible and a year later, my daughter still talks about it on a regular basis.  I'm VERY excited to go back and experience Carsland.  I have to HUGE Cars fans in my house and they will be over-the-moon happy to see it! 

If you have any questions about travelling with young children, please feel free to ask me!  Also, are you following me on Twitter yet?  Check me out  @EveryDayGirl5.  Drop me a line that you came from my blog and I will be sure to follow you as well.  I'm enjoying making friends in the Blog/twitterverse and looking forward to hearing from you!! 

Tasty Tuesdays

Good afternoon!  It's a bright and sunny day today and I am feeling like spring might be on the way!  We still have snow, but are able to see the ground in places now. 

Since the snow is almost gone, I thought I'd take this opportunity to make one of my family's favorite "winter" lunches, Cream of Mushroom soup.  Since I made it for lunch, I'll share the recipe with you as well.  

Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 cup mushrooms, thinly sliced (I use 2 cups)
2 tbsp. butter (I used unsalted)
3 cups chicken stock
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. onion, chopped
2 tbsp. flour
1/2 c. cream (I use half and half)
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg OR 1/4 tsp. thyme (I use thyme)

Slice mushrooms through cap and stem.  Cook mushrooms with onion in butter for 5 minutes.  Blend in flour, add stock.  Cook and stir until slightly thickened.  Cool slightly, add cream and seasonings.  To serve, heat to just below boiling point. 
*I use extra mushrooms because 1 cup doesn't seem like very many.  My husband likes a "heartier" soup, so this gives it more substance.  I also use unsalted butter because I find when using salted butter it is just too salty.  Now that my family has grown from just hubby and I, I always made a double batch of the soup.

I serve this sandwich with a sandwich or tossed salad.  Today, I am made turkey/apple/cheddar Panini's.  The first time I ever tried this combination was at a lunch bistro and I was amazed by how great it was!  I spread garlic aoli on ciabatta bread, then topped with sliced apples (skins removed), cheddar cheese, and turkey breast.  Enjoy!!

I found this recipe in a local family cookbook and have adapted it to my liking.

Question of the day: What food combination have you tried that was surprisingly good?    

26 Random Acts of Kindness

This past week has had me thinking, a lot.  I started a post back in January, but never completed it and it has been sitting in my "Drafts" for months now.  After the Boston Marathon bombings, I have felt the need to complete this post and share it. 

Source: http://danceteacherwebblog.com/?p=2273

 

The Sandy Hook shootings started a movement across the internet.  26 Random Acts of Kindness.  Facebook, Twitter, blogs, everyone was putting out the plea to complete 26 Random Acts of kindness in honour and memory of the 26 victims of Sandy Hook.  This movement touched me and I began looking for ways in my everyday life to make a difference to someone else.  I began doing little things to put a smile on someone's face: complimenting a new outfit, paying for the vehicle behind me's coffee in the drive-through, etc.  I found that not only did those little things put a smile on the recipients face, but they put a smile on mine.  Everything I did for someone else also made me feel happy.

"When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace."    The 14th Dalai Lama (1935)



After the Boston marathon bombing, I think it's even more important to show kindness to others.  These horrific events shake people right to their core.  Small acts of kindness can remind us that people care.  The human spirit is alive and a few evil people are not the majority. 

"Wherever there is a human in need, there is an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference."   Kevin Heath

Every week, I will share with you one of my random acts of kindness.  Sometimes they cost money, and sometimes they are as simple as a compliment to someone who needs it.  For me, this isn't done after 26 acts of kindness.  I will be doing this to honour the victims of Sandy Hook, Boston Marathon, 9/11, Montreal Massacre, etc. and for all the victims of tragedies that we don't hear about. 

Random Act of Kindness #1: On Friday, I was speaking on the phone with a friend.  I could tell she was having a bad day and feeling insecure.  I told her what a great job she was doing: as a mother, a friend, a volunteer board member, etc.  I told her how valued she was and how fortunate we were to have her in our life.  She paused for a long time, and I was worried that she was annoyed with me (there's my own insecurities rearing their head).  Then, I heard a small sob and she said "Really?  Thank-you.".  All the wonderful things about herself that I could see, she wasn't seeing in that moment.  She needed to hear it to get her self "back in her lane" (as Oprah says).  Friday evening I received the following message from her "Thank-you so much for what you said to me.  Today, I was feeling like I was doing everything wrong and wasn't making a difference to anything or anyone.  Thanks for picking me up when I needed it and making me feel better." 

"Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness.  Every act created a ripple with no logical end."  Scott Adams (1957) 

If we all pledge to commit one Random Act of Kindness per week, think of the good that will be spread in the world.  The smiles on strangers and friends faces alone make this all worthwhile.   Please commit to this, and then share it.   Let's all make the world a better place. 
"Pass It On...." Thank-you!!

Question of the Day: Will you commit to 1 Small Act of Kindness per week? 

A Statistic

I had a different post planned for today, but decided to share this instead. 

Last week my family became a statistic.  A very lucky statistic, an incredibly fortunate statistic, but a statistic none-the-less.  Five days ago, my father-in-law was seriously injured in a farm-related accident.  He came out incredibly lucky, but his life will be changed.  I struggled with whether I should share this story on here, but ultimately decided I would.    Most of you reading this are probably not from a rural area, and you may not have anything to do with the agriculture industry.  Maybe one person reads this and is a little extra careful tomorrow at work.  Because this isn't only just a story about farm safety, it's a story about workplace safety and many occupations have hazards associated with them. 

Source: http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/safebasics/farm_safety.html

 

Studies indicate that annually, between 5% to 10% of the agriculture population are injured in non-fatal accidents.  (Source: here)  On Friday, our family farm became part of those statistics.  My husband's family operates a mixed farm; a grain and cattle operation.  My father-in-law was moving grain out of a bin using an auger. 

Source: www.brandt.ca

 

This is a busy time of year at the farm.  They are calving (the process where cows have their babies) and preparing for seeding (planting of the crops in the spring).  It is a busy time of year with an endless amount of jobs to be done.  In a split second, my F-I-L took one wrong step and instead of stepping into the bin, stepped into the auger.  He has been around them his entire life and knows how careful you need to be....all in took was one second of not paying attention.  Thankfully, the auger stalled and he was able to pull his foot/leg out before even more damage was done.  He was rushed by ambulance to the hospital and hours later had surgery.  His toes were gone and he had severe damage at the end of his foot.  The Doctors made the decision to amputate the front half of his foot.  He is left with his ankle, heel and back half of the foot.  He will be able to get a prosthetic so he will be able to walk, golf, and return to the career he loves.  The spectrum of the farm may change, as he will not likely be able to keep up with cattle, but he can return to work the land. 

Source: Private Photo

The bottom line is: he was lucky.  There are a million different things that could have happened to have this ending be different.  If the auger hadn't stalled, it could have sucked in more of his leg, or worse if he had fallen into it.  Each year, there are many deaths due to farm accidents.  We are incredibly lucky to not be part of those statistics. 

Source: Private Photo



Please take your time and be careful.  Whatever industry you work in and whatever job you do, there is someone who loves you and is worried about you.    Please return home safely to them. 

 

For Boston

I had another post planned for today, but like others, I felt compelled to comment on yesterday's horrific events in Boston.  My heart is breaking for the victims, their families & friends, for the runners, for the spectators, for the volunteers & first responders, for the city of Boston, and for the United States of America. 

As a Canadian, I am proud to have neighbors to the south who value the same things we do: freedom, equality, free speech, the list goes on... When events like this occur, my heart breaks for you.  As a country, you are my friends, and I am sick to see this happen to my friends. 

Then, I saw this picture circulating through the internet.  Suddenly, I felt something else.  I felt hope.  Hope that each of us standing up in Boston's defence and to show solidarity will show the evil in this world that they will not win.  Because this quote is true.  There is always more good in this world than evil.  The community of Boston, the runner's community, the people in America, the people in North America, the people of the world, all of mankind will stand arm-in-arm.  We are resilient.  Whether it be by giving blood, donations, opening your homes, hugs, kind words, pictures on the internet, tweets, Facebook posts, going for a run, and tears shed.  We all stand behind Boston and everyone affected by this horrific event. 

Today, I run for Boston.  And I run for hope.  I hope that the victims and their families know that they are in the hearts and prayers of people from all around the world.

Today my thoughts and prayers are for Boston.

An Evening With Oprah

Yesterday, I had an incredible experience.  Myself and three of my best friends, (along with 14,000  other people) spent "An Evening with Oprah".  Oprah's final stop of her Canadian tour ended with a last-minute additional stop: Saskatoon, SK.  The tickets sold out and more than 14,000 women traveled to Credit Union Centre to hear Oprah speak.

After appetizers and a glass of wine, my girlfriends and I made our way to CUC (the big events centre).  I hadn't really looked at our tickets, so I was shocked to see that we were in Row 9, on the floor.  What does that mean?  There were 8 rows of chairs in between us and Oprah on stage.  Wow!  They were incredible seats! 

Before the show, looking at the stage from our seats.

 

Just as a little comparison, this is our view looking behind us. 

 

The show was slated to start at 6:00 pm, but didn't get going until 6:30.  The traffic was INSANE in the parking lot and the event organizers decided to hold off the event so most people would be in the building when it begs.  I was so glad we had taken a shuttle and come early.  Instead of fighting traffic, we were relaxing in our seats and visiting.   

 

Soon enough, Oprah Winfrey was walking onto the stage and the applause was thunderous.  I have to say, I am not an Oprah "super fan".  I enjoyed her show, but only watched it occasionally.  But, when Oprah walked on stage, I had goose bumps.  To be in the presence of someone who has influenced so many lives was amazing.  Our seats added to the program for me.  She was so close, we could make out her facial expressions and it was so real watching her live on stage, not having to focus on the big screen from the back of the stadium. 

 

My photos don't do this justice.  Cameras were not allowed, but you could take pictures with your phones.  I'm using my iPhone 4 and the quality leaves something to be desired.  But, honestly, I don't even care.  The fact that I was this close to Oprah was enough!

After she spoke for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, she did a question and answer period with one of her staff members. 

 Question and Answer period



  
I could write 10 posts on all of the things Oprah spoke about.  I understand now why people brought notepads and took notes during her show. It was amazing and inspiring.  Instead, I'll focus on one thing, that I think is doable for each and every one of us.  At the end of every day, Oprah recommends making a list of 10 things that you are thankful for.  By keeping a "Gratitude Journal", it makes you look at life differently.  During the day, you find yourself looking for things to be thankful for.  Some days, it's the little things like someone holding the door for you.  Some days, it's big things, but every day you are looking for things to be thankful for.  It changes your way of thinking from "I wish I had, I wish today had been...to I am thankful for.  What an incredible message! 

So, here is my list of what I am thankful for from last night:
1. I am thankful for my children and their health.  This isn't something I take for granted because my children's health wasn't always a guarantee.  A day doesn't go by that I am not thankful that they are here with me today and are healthy and active.
2. I am thankful for my husband.  He is a kind, supportive, hard-working man who in the midst of difficult times encouraged me to take today and spend the afternoon with my friends because I needed that.  The easy route would have been to ask me to stay home, but that's not the path he took.
3. I am thankful for my extended family; my parents, brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and my in-law extended family.  I am thankful that I was raised and am surrounded by the kind of people who make me want to do my very best.
4. I am thankful my father-in-law is with us today.  (More on this story another day).
5. I am thankful for my "old" friends.  I am thankful that in elementary school I met people who would be by my side for my life.  We don't see each other enough or spend enough time together, but I know they are always there and I know they will always be there for me.  Spending the afternoon with these girls reminds me how fortunate I am.  In every stage of life, I think we make different friends, new friends, and they are all important. But, it is nice to have people in your life who have known you your whole life.
6. I am thankful for the country, province, town, and house I live in.  I am thankful I live with freedom and peace. 
7. I am thankful for my health.  These days, it seems like everyway you turn, someone is getting sick.
8. I am thankful for the ability to laugh.  Because I am so fortunate in my life, I can laugh. Deep, rumbling, uncontrolled-sort-of-ugly, teary-eyed laughter.  We all have stress in our lives, but because I am surrounded by such incredible people, they help to bear some of that stress.  Laughter really is the best medicine and when you can relax enough to have uncontrollable laughter is enlightening.
9. I am thankful for modern medicine, both "eastern" and "western" varieties.  I am thankful because modern medicine saved the lives of my sons.  It has helped my father-in-law and helps ease his pain.  Holistic medicine has helped many of my family members as well. 
10. I am thankful for the shuttle buses from CUC.  Instead of sitting in traffic separately, waiting in a parking lot for an hour or more, my friends and I hopped a shuttle bus to a different non-crowded parking lot where our vehicles were waiting.  We got to spend an extra half hour together, laughing and joking, instead of in a vehicle getting road rage. 

So, there you have it.  A brief recap of my "Evening With Oprah", and the first entry in my "Gratitude Journal".  If you ever have the opportunity to listen to Oprah speak, I would highly recommend it.  She was a captivating speaker and had the whole audience in awe.  Her story was incredible and she spoke with warmth, passion, and a candour that made you feel like you were listening to an old friend.  It was an amazingly uplifting day spent with good friends and a great message. 

As Oprah would say "Turn up the volume on your life.  Live out loud!"

Question of the day: What are you most thankful for?

Strong Moms Empower

Yesterday, I took a pledge.  A pledge to not judge other Moms, to not look down on others' decisions, to stop giving "the look".  You know the one.  I originally saw this pledge here, on RuralMoms.com.  They have a great article about "the look" and judging others, I'd recommend going to read it here. 

 

 

 You can sign the pledge by visiting: http://strongmomsempower.com/.  After you've signed, they give you a choice of a bunch of buttons to grab and share.  I couldn't decide on just one, so I took three.  :) 

 I love this one.  It's exactly how I feel.  Before I had children, I had all the answers of what I was going to do.  I wanted to be the perfect Mom.  Now, I'm in the thick of it and some days, I consider everyone lucky if I don't run screaming out of the house.  Don't get me wrong.  I love my children with my whole heart, I would do anything for those little sweethearts.  But being a mother isn't as easy as I thought. And it certainly doesn't make it any easier when your friends, neighbors, or family members are looking down at you for your parenting decisions and/or how you are doing things. 

 

We're all doing this the same way.  One step at a time. There's no manual, no magic book to tell us exactly how to get our kid's to sleep through the night (and if there was, trust me, I would have paid big money for that thing).  There's no "one way" to produce well-adjusted, happy, kind adults.  And let's face it, that's what every parent wants.  We want our children to grow up to be happy, successful, well-adjusted people.  I think any mother would tell you she would do anything to know how to make that happen. 

 

So, instead of judging that mom down the street who bottle fed right from day 1, or your cousin who breast fed until her child was 3...how about we just say "to each his own".  And support one another.  When you are shopping and you see children screaming and misbehaving, instead of looking at the mother and thinking "get your children to behave"....look a little closer.  You'll see someone just like you.  You might see how tired she is or how frustrated she is.  Just remember...she doesn't want this to happen either, and she's doing the best she can.

 

I took the pledge.  I pledge to not judge.  I pledge to empower other moms.  I pledge to support other women.  When someone looks like they are at their witts end, I pledge to do something to help, not hurt.  Because God knows those eye rolls, looks, and judgemental comments do hurt.  I know I'm not the only one to say I've come home from an outing with my children and shed a couple tears over hurtful comments other women have said to me. 

 

Please, consider taking the pledge too. Then share the button on Twitter, Facebook, wherever you can!  Awareness is the first step towards change.  Let's change!!



Take the pledge at http://strongmomsempower.com/. 

Very Inspiring Blogger

Wow!  That's all I know how to say.   Recently, I was nominated by Rebecca at Running Around the World as a Very Inspiring Blogger.  I am honored that she considers my posts inspiring and interesting.  And to be honest, I'm thrilled and a little overwhelmed.  I can't stop smiling and I'm so dang excited that someone is reading my little blog.  So, thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!  I was also VERY honored to be in the same nomination as Heather at Through Heather's Looking Glass and Rachel at Runner's Tales.  These are two blogs I've been following and two incredible running ladies! I hadn't checked out Kimberly at Love Every Mile before, but I sure have now.  Please bop over and check out Rebecca's  blog, it's awesome!  I LOVED her Marathon recap and her travels through Europe.  Keep up on the awesome posts Rebecca!! 

Here are the rules:
1. Thank and link back to the person who nominated you. 
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Nominate 15 other bloggers and comment on their blogs to let them know. 

So, here we go...7 things about myself:

1. I love Disney.  A lot.  I am currently trying to determine how I will decorate my kid's playroom/family room in the basement (on a small budget) to look like a Disney park.  If you have any suggestions or ideas, please let me know!!
2.  As of Tuesday, I am "officially" unemployed.  Sort-of.  I will be a full-time Mommy to my three small children, as well as volunteering on various boards and organizations in our community.  I am excited and thankful for the opportunity I have to stay with my children.  Truthfully, I am also feeling a little lost.  I have been with the same company for 11 1/2 years...since I was 20.  As silly as it sounds, I feel like a little bit of my identity has been taken away. 
3. I love fresh flowers.  Well, almost any flower, I'm not a real carnation lover, but everything other than that, I love.  I think a few fresh flowers on the table make the room "pretty". 
4. I am so lucky to still have my Gramma M.  She is 85 years old, going on 55.  She is active and healthy and is an inspiration to me.  My Gramma is one of the kindest people I know and makes an effort to get t know everyone.  I have never seen her in a bad mood and she keeps in touch with her entire family .(four children + spouses, 14 grandchildren +11 spouses, 14 great-grandchildren)  Gramma makes friends wherever she goes and can always find a connection to each person she meets.  My Gramma is the glue that keeps our family as close-knit as it is and she has taught us the value of family. 
5. I am secretly (well, not so secretly anymore) hoping to get picked for the
runDisney Meet-up at the Tinkerbell Half Marathon.  I actually get butterflies in my stomach and a little jittery when I think about it.  Like right now...I have a big silly grin on my face and am already playing it over in my mind.  Again. 
6. When I was young, I always wanted to be a writer.  I loved writing everything: poems, stories, essays...loved it all.  I won several awards from when I was aged 8 - 17.  In Grade 12, I placed 2nd in the province (Canada's version of a state) in an essay competition. But for some reason, I never pursued it further.  Guess it's not that far-fetched that I wanted to start blogging.  :)
7. I love spring.  And I really, really wish it would hurry up and get here.  I hate to be a complainer...I am very fortunate to live where I do.  We have fresh water, clean air, and our freedom....things that many in this world do not.  We have also had snow for almost six months straight!  And there is still lots of it left, last night it was -15 C and the weatherman is calling for another blizzard this weekend.  It is starting to feel like winter 2013 is never ending!  It's not uncommon that we get a snow in April, but usually it has melted by now.  I am so ready for this winter to be over and spring to come.  I can't wait to get outside! 

Nominations:

1. We Run Disney
2. Running At Disney
3.  Flowers croon (where the birds sing words)
4. 2 Princesses on the Run
5. ...Just Me and My Running Shoes...
6. Pumpkin to Princess
7. Running Toward the Prize
8. Live, Run, Grow
9. Twins Run In Our Family
10. Running Happily Ever After
11. Finding The Skinny Geek Within
12. Menybyvicky
13. Through Heathers Looking Glass
14. Running Random
15. C Talley Run

Some of these are blogs I have been following for years and some I have only found in the last few months through Twitter and other bloggers.  Some of them have tons of followers and some only a few.  But they all have something in common: THEY ARE AWESOME!   Each of these bloggers write interesting & inspiring posts.  You should all be incredibly proud of yourselves because you truly are inspiring!  You've inspired me to get back to working out and taking control of my life.  Speaking of which....it's time for Day 3 of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. 

Thanks again to Rebecca at Running Around the World for the nomination and for all the awesome, inspiring posts you share!  I would have been nominating you if you hadn't beat me to the punch. 

I have an exciting day planned on Sunday and can't wait to share it with you.  Have a great weekend!!

Tasty Tuesday

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Today I am super excited to share a recipe that I just discovered yesterday.  It was soooo good that I wanted to share it immediately.  I have been a salt & vinegar chips girl my whole life.  I love them...and the more salty and vinegary, the better.  Unfortunately, salt and vinegar chips are not really "healthy" (by "not really", I actually mean "not at all") healthy options.  I have struggled to find something that will fill those cravings with less calories..or at the very least more nutrients.  I have found it! Thanks to Angela at Oh She Glows for publishing this recipe!  I copied it straight from her website, but head on over and check out more of her recipes.  My mouth starts watering just reading them!

 Salt & Vinegar Chick Peas

 

Ingredients:

 

2 cups canned chickpeas*

3 - 4 cups white vinegar

1 tsp coarse sea salt

2 tsp extra virgin olive oil

 

Directions: Line a baking sheet with tin foil or parchment paper. Take chickpeas and vinegar and place in a medium sized pot. Add a dash of sea salt. Bring to a boil and then remove from heat. Let sit in pot for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 425F. Carefully drain chickpeas. Place on lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and sea salt. Massage with fingers until fully coated. Roast for 45 minutes, flipping once half way through. Keep a careful eye on them after 35 minutes of cooking to ensure they don’t burn. The goal here is crispy and golden chickpeas, not black…lol. Enjoy as a high protein snack or as a side to a lunch or dinner.
*Note: I assume you could also use dry chickpeas and cook them in vinegar from scratch. Also note: When I brought the cooked chickpeas to a boil, some of the peas split open and some of the skins came off. Not to worry if this happens-it will turn out regardless!

I forgot to take pictures, so check out Angela's below.
Read more: http://ohsheglows.com/2010/08/03/easy-salt-vinegar-roasted-chick-peas/#ixzz2PzFlm7EZ

 

These were awesome straight out of the oven and still great a couple hours later as a snack.  They didn't last long!  All three of my kids loved them as well, and my husband couldn't get over how great they were. 

 

Question of the day: What's your favorite guilty flavor?  Salt, chocolate, sweet, tangy, sour?