Tuesday: Pumpkins & TV Picks for Tonight!

With everything pumpkin coming back in I think you should know - pumpkin puree is excellent for your health.

Pumpkin is one of the lowest calorie fruits grown.  It has 26 calories per 100 grams of pureed pumpkin.  It also has zero fat and zero cholesterol.  These two facts alone is why many dietitians recommend pumpkin for those seeking to lose weight or better control high cholesterol levels.

(I'm going to share with you a fabulous way to use pumpkin in a heart healthy, waistline healthy way in a matter of lines.)



Pumpkin is high in Vitamins A, C, and E - these guys are also called the antioxidant group.  They assist in eliminating bad guys (called free radicals) in your body.  You need these!  They help with your cells and that means you look pretty and feel good.

Pumpkin can help you with reducing eye dysfunction and disease.  The Vitamin A levels in pumpkin help aid in the protection against UVB rays across the retina.  This means you save yourself from macular disease as you age.



I need you to realize the value of rich levels of Vitamin A for a second.  Vitamin A (not my street name but should be) is incredibly important to you for these reasons:

• Maintains skin integirty
• Maintains mucousa
• Key to good vision (even if you are blind without assistance as I am)
• Vitamin A helps assist in the prevention of lung and oral cancers

The orange fruit of fall also has a nice range of the Complex B vitamins.  This is something women need as we age - B vitamins out the wazoooo.  These complex life sustainers give us energy and keep our bodies pumping.

Minerals are also a major part of the pumpkin.  In a serving you will get a nice dose of copper, calcium, potassium, and phospherous.  Your bones and heart will thank you for that.

I'm telling you this because you need more pumpkin in your diet....and not just the coffee variety!  It is also available year round at your grocery store.  However, we're in the fall (almost) and people are latching on the pumpkin like its the cure all during the plague.  I felt it a great time to promote the pretty little fat orange guys in an its-really-good-for-you-way.

And now one of my favorite Hungry Girl recipes of all time....

1 can of Libby's Pumpkin Puree (regular 15oz can)

1 devil's food cake box mix

In a large bowl empty the canned pumpkin and the cake mix.

Using a hand mixer mix it up - it will be thick

In a greased muffin tin (I generally make 6-8 large muffins), spoon the cups half to 3/4 full.

Bake in a preheated oven set at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Devour.

No eggs, no oil, no water.

Simple, yes.

***

Back to premiere week on telley....



I love some Muppets and guess what?  They're on tonight, 8PM, ABC.  So far I have gathered this is a "reality" show that focuses in on the lives of certain famous muppets.  It is a comedy but I'm not so sure this is totally family friendly.  As a mom of an 8 year old - a little nuts here but I am not too cool with The Muppets being a total adult thing.  We'll see how it pans out tonight.




Scream Queens is a new show on Fox at 8pm.  If you have an Ibotta account then you have had to watch the trailer for this show over and over.  Jamie Lee Curtis, Lea Michelle (Glee), and Nick Jonas are all in this show.  It is basically a thriller television show from Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story) and is set on a college campus where there is a serial killer doing his thang. This actually sounds like a pretty good show....we'll watch and see or rather DVR it because my 8 year old may get freaked out.



Finally over on the CSI network CBS at 10pm you can catch Bradley Cooper in the television version of his movie, Limitless.

Monday, May I (tell you that TV is back?)

Last week:

1.     Get  14 accomplished with the sneakers.

Well I got 10 in but not 14. 

2.    Go on a bike ride with my daughter.

Nope didn't get to this week.  I asked if she wanted to and she was like, "Nah mom, its the Sabbath I think I should do anything but rest."

3.    Start the hunt for furniture for the family room. 

Yeah, no.  We're going to do that next weekend.

4.  Keep the air conditioning off all week.

Score!  The old A/C has stayed off for well over a week now.

5.  Take the multivitamin daily and not every 4th day, seriously.

I suck.  DIdn't do it but once this week.  I know why I'm not doing it daily - it makes me feel horrible.  Even at bed time.  I'm going to play with that this week.

This week's goals....

1.  Etch out some mommy daughter time.

2.  Back to 14 miles this week.

That is it.

***

So it is fall premier week on television and I'm wondering what you are watching and or excited about?

Did you see that Bradley Cooper is going to be on CBS in a spinoff show of his movie Limitless?

I miss this show with every ounce of my being.  It was good television.  Oh Barney...Barney come back!

Also, CBS used to be our go to Monday night channel when the best show ever - How I Met Your Mother was still on.  After it ended so did our viewing of the CSI Network, I mean CBS.  It looks like this week CBS is bringing their version of ABC's Modern Family to the viewership with {Life in Pieces}.  The NY Times doesn't like this show but it could be OK for us mainstream peeps.

The nerd herd, Big Bang Theory, is back tonight at 8pm on CBS.  This show makes me laugh but I'm not an avid viewer.



Gotham is on Fox at 8pm tonight.  Season deux tonight and I hear a lot of people are into this.  The most super hero anything I get into is my son running around saying he's Spidey.

Ughhhhh I'm over music shows like The Voice which is back on NBC tonight.  I'm sure the viewership will be so high since fools are thinking that Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani would really hook up.

HGTV fans:  Love It Or List It returns tonight at 9pm.  Side note:  They are to start shooting in the Raleigh/Durham area soon!

And at 10:00

Castle is back on ABC
The Blindspot is premiering on NBC
And of course yet one of the millions of CSI's (NCIS) will be on CBS....

Tomorrow I'll highlight some Tuesday Premiere's!

Let's Eat!

For the week of September 20th....

Let’s Eat!

Hey guys back for another Let’s Eat Edition today.  I’m focusing on maxing out what is already in the cabinet, pantry, and freezer.  Sometimes you don’t feel like going to the grocery store.  Other times you really don’t have the money to go to the grocery store.  Realistically, you probably do not need to go to the market because this is America and we waste more food than we eat.

I have a challenge for you this week – utilize what you have on hand to make meals.  Take inventory of every inch of your kitchen and then plug in ingredients into websites like allrecipes.com and find out what different dishes you can make.

This will save you a lot of money and also allow you to see how much you actually have on hand.

Here are some things I’m making this week with what I have on hand:

Breakfast

Pumpkin Spice Muffins are the idea for the week...
These muffins are simple and satisfying and not terribly horrendous on your middle or heart.

1 can of pumpkin puree and a spice cake mix – mix together and bake for 20 minutes in a 400 degree oven.



Also Pepperidge Farms seasonal swirl breads are out and I really like the Caramel Pie and the Pumpkin Spice.  Just go easy on them because they are high in calories.

Lunch/Dinner

Easy Meatball Calzones

I found this on the website:  {Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom}. 

Meatballs, pizza crust, pizza sauce, cheese, yes easy!

This is something that the majority of my household will really enjoy eating. I can also pack these in the lunchbox!  I love a double score.  (If you are in my area:  Harris Teeter has meatballs as part of this week's meal deal!)

Add in avocado for some healthy fats and an even better taste!

My go to lunch is a spinach salad with cherry tomatoes, boiled egg, olives and celery.  Why is she sharing this?  Because I hear of people who have fresh spinach for a recipe but never really use it for anything else.  Do this!  It is healthy and so filling thanks to the protein from the egg.  Spinach is incredibly healthy with all the vitamins and nutrients that leafy greens offer.  Your doctor will be super proud of you.  Stay away from creamy dressings and opt for vinaigrette's.

Here’s your lunch box site for the week:  {From Live Simply: 7 Lunches You Can Make & Freeze}
Recently, I read an article about how more of us freeze meals in the fall and winter than any other time of year.  This post has seven great ideas of lunch foods (and dinner) that you can whip up in bulk and slide in the freezer for easy lunch packing.

Dinners

Salsa Verde Chicken

One of our favorites – green salsa, chicken breast together in the crock pot for the day then cover with Monterrey jack cheese for the last thirty minutes of cooking.  Yes, I’ve posted it before!  Consider serving it over rice one night and turning it into tacos the next.  Of course you could freeze half and save it for next week!

Progresso Night

You know we love soup.  Duh.  Serve it up with a grilled cheese and apple slices and we’re happy!  I do this on Wednesday nights aka church night.  We are in a rush and need a quick healthy meal.

It is Chili Time!!!

I plan on making a big pot of chili later in the week.  This is the ultimate cabinet clean out crock pot meal.  Beans of all sorts, corn, tomatoes, garlic, onion, pepper, meat if you opt in for that, it is fabulous!  I like to add all sorts of spices and seasonings to mix it up and play with the flavor.  I’m not posting a recipe for this because I think you should get creative with chili.

Have a great week!  See you on Monday with Monday, May I?

Catch Up Saturday!

'

Here's a recap of what was on the blog this week.  Read best with a cup of coffee and apple pie pancake (yes, I am making those this lovely Saturday morning).



On Sunday was the weekly Let's Eat post.  A few ideas for delicious and healthy muffins.  Some dinner slash lunch easy meals.  The post is worth your time if you're looking to mix up your meals this week.

Monday, May I - the first time I met my goals (from last week) and I made a slew of new goals.



The hump day post was the weekly favorite of What's Happening This Weekend in North Carolina - and it was updated on Thursday!  Yes, it is true, NC has a lot going on :)  We are well worth a visit.



Also on Thursday I visited the topic of growing up...when you're a grown up.  The events that continue to mold and shape us well after we're done with the formative and college years.



Friyay was the usual link up with High 5 For Friday!  My five include the nail polish I'm loving, a little shout out to my hubby, and that time last weekend when I was so totally grossed out.

Don't leave me hanging It is FRIDAY!

September doesn't seem to be flying quite as fast to me.  I know as soon as I type that it will speed by like a NASCAR driver on a back road.

Here's my five....

That's my brother you freak!

1.  No I'm not his girlfriend.

Totally grossed out by this.  My kid brother and I went to get some miles in last weekend.  Afterwards we decided to grab some dinner.  He saw some of his friends from high school - he is 20 now, keep that in mind.  A couple days later one of his friends asked if I was his girlfriend.  I vomited for hours.  The comment was, "I heard you were dating an older girl. Was that your girlfriend with you Friday?"  Ewwwwwww nooooooo!

2.  Healthy Boy!

My son had his three year well check on Tuesday.  He's healthy and a whopping 35lbs and yard stick long.  I'm so blessed to have healthy babies.  After reading Christina's post about her sweet baby Thomas I am reminded to be super thankful for the gift of healthy babies.

3.  Date day with the hubs.

You may be aware my husband works pretty crappy hours and we don't see each other much.  Well on Wednesday we had a nice little date lunch.  We went to see our daughter at her school birthday lunch then enjoyed some Chinese food after we left there.  We caught up on Netflix and just had a nice midweek midday catch up.  It was great since I probably won't get to actually see him until Saturday.

Loving this fall gold by Wet n Wild! #nailpolish #freshforfall #pretty #wetnwild

A photo posted by Brownie (@abrownieworld) on Sep 16, 2015 at 6:06pm PDT

4.  Nail polish

Wet n Wild products were BOGO 50% off this week at Walgreens.  I love some Wet n Wild, maybe I'm channeling the inner 13 year old in me.  Anyhoo, I bought a couple new shades of nail polish and am in love with the light gold color!  My Diva is also sporting this color.  It is so fun for fall.

5.  PTO mom, oh my gahhhh!

I may have failed to mention this but this year I'm on the PTO Board at my kid's school.  I knew the PTO did nice things for the school but I failed to see just how important that they truly are.  This shiz is real y'all.  Monday was our first board meeting and it wasn't the regularly scheduled one.  If you can imagine about 8-9 women in a room planning out an event and catching up on already established events you can just see the mental chaos and hear the laughter!  We were full speed ahead which is a great thing.  Support your school's PTO this year they really need the love, volunteerism and help.

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Thursday Thought: Growing Up @ 33

As you get older, and by older I mean into your 30's, you come to see that growing up is indeed tedious.

This week I have been witness to two things that make getting a little older a little more rough.

On Monday, while walking into school, I went to hold my daughter's hand at the crosswalk.  She pulled away and shook her head no.  She wasn't angry at me she was just not about holding her mom's hand anymore.

She's getting older.  She doesn't want anyone to see her hold her mom's hand.  Independent, first born, female = Do not hold my hand, mother.



In turn, that makes me older.  I have a daughter who isn't a little bitty girl anymore. She now knows to stop, wait, and when it is safe - to cross.  Good job, mom!  You taught her that!  Right?

I blew it off and together we waited until the right time to cross.

Later I thought about that five second event.  My instinct to take her hand and keep her safe will always be there.  It may not seem cool or the thing to do in her mind but little does she know: I will always be there to try to make every situation safe for her.

Does that sting? Oh heck yeah it stings.  I have a child who is growing and becoming a boundary tester! It is part of life and part of growing up.  I must accept it and hold closely to the things she does still let me do.  You know those little moments like brushing her hair and putting it up, stories we read together, the lunches I make for her.

But I will miss that little hand in mine.  I know that hand like I know my own.

Now I will be the arm grabber...until she swats that off and stomps away.

The second realization of growing up for me this week is loss.

A few days ago a dear lady that was my supervisor passed away at the age of 56.  She had been battling cervical cancer for months.  The angel armies carried her out of battle and to peace on the 15th.  We don't always get supers we enjoy but man did I enjoy Vivian.  We laughed a lot while she was my boss-lady.  She made my shifts easier and so much more enjoyable.  Every time we worked together we had fun conversations about her passions - her children and grandchildren.  Yes, she was the grandma who bombarded you with pictures of the grandbabies.  I didn't mind it because I was a mama myself.

We shared recipes and she often showed me her crafty side with different things she would be making on her days off.  Vivian was fun and vibrant.  She could take a sour situation and make it sweet.  That is a skill so many people lack and is to be envied.

The day of the big lay off, when I was six months pregnant, she cried first. As I gathered my things to walk out with the others of us there was Vivian...bawling.  That day she gave me a hug I swear I still can feel.

We would run into each other at Walmart and chat and laugh in the months to follow.  She read my blog on the regular and would Facebook message me if a post resonated with her.

She was fifty-six, guys.



Part of growing up is accepting loss. Yes, some of us lose important people and classmates at early ages but that isn't the typical norm for the vast majority of us.  As you get older the increase in losing friends, coworkers, and eventually family members is more commonplace and always difficult to accept.

It leaves you standing in the kitchen, stomping your feet and saying, "No, no, no, no," like the seven year old you are sure you were just a few moments ago.

Sure, junior high was tough and high school had its inevitable hardships; the real growing up that hits when the babies aren't babies anymore and the friends and family are aging and battling things that you cannot fathom just may be hardest growing pain we face.

I cannot sit here and type this wishing that none of these difficult moments didn't happen.  That would mean that my life would be over and I am not ready for that.  I can let these growing pains teach me to relish every second of every sad, bad, quiet, and fabulous moment I am gifted.  I can give thanks for every memory made and the ones yet to come.

These are the moments that will make me the grown up I will one day become.



#loveyourbabies
#parenthoodishard
#endcancer
#endalz
#lovelife