Food on the run

I can not count the many, many times I find myself out and about when my children's tummies decide that it is lunchtime and they need food now! Unfortunately I think I got defective children because from the time they came off the assembly line their tummies never did function normally. It began a little bit at a time, first the spitting up and constant pooping, then the picky eating and now they are completely whacked! When my children's tummies are hungry it messes up the whole system! We can be driving along singing, playing silly car games and laughing and it's almost like someone threw a switch. Tummies hungry so the brain gets irritated, the face becomes contorted in a fit of anger at a simple gesture of fun from Brother. I have not yet figured out how to rewire my children so that when they are hungry the rest of their little bodies stay normal and their mouths just say, "Mommy, I am hungry. Can I eat as soon as we get home? I can wait an hour or so for you to finish all the errands you have to run." Yeah, so I am dreaming!

But what is a mother to do? I have worn out my ability to eat at McDonald's, just the thought is enough to turn my stomach. Arby's and Wendy's are overdone as well and most everything else is too expensive. I wish they made dash kits that installed easily into a mini van and at the touch of a button could pop out a fully prepared dish of Baked Alaskan Salmon or Veggies and Pasta tossed in a light Garlic Butter Sauce. (i.e. healthy, delicious food). I have just had way more than my share of greasy fast food.

Well, so far as I can find, something like that is years in the making. But until then I have found that carrying a baggie of healthy, relatively non-messy treats like carrots, raisins or cheese and peanut butter crackers, helps to ease the raging tummies until we can get home and have something that will not give us a heart attack. Plus it's a good alternative for me when the munchies strike as well. I have started keeping a bag of treats in my van at all times. It has worked wonders for my family.

Chocolate, the Devil in Disguise???

I am a huge chocolate fan, some kindly refer to me as a chocoholic which I could never deny, however, I began to worry about the effects that the chocolate I eat daily, and in amounts that would make an elephant ill, could be having on my body. The first and most noticeable signs are the slightly bulging tummy and the ever increasing need for a good acne treatment. However, what other effects could it be having on me?

Well, I decided to try an experiment, one I don't expect to work too well as I am constantly surrounded by chocolate and I have the self control of a hungry wolf, but still, I am going to try it. I am going to attempt a chocolate fast. For three days I will attempt to restrain from consuming any chocolate at all. (Those of you who know me are already shaking your heads. You of little faith! I may show you all!)

My reasoning for this is that lately I just generally feel crappy all the time. I am tired and achy and one of the things that has changed most drastically in my recent life is my chocolate intake. So, in an attempt to narrow down what could be making me feel so yucky all the time, I am going to attack first, my diet. I will update with my progress as I crash and burn!

Leap Day

I have been very surprised this year to find how many companies are capitalizing on this "once every four years" day. I don't recall it being this widely recognized in years past, but then maybe I was just not noticing it as much. But now, every where I turn there are Leap Day sales, imprinted promotional products celebrating the day and so much more!

But the one thing I was really surprised by was McDonald's Free McSkillet Burrito with the purchase of a drink to celebrate Leap Day and let me tell you, a celebration it was! I got my children up early, telling them I had a surprise for them. We got dressed and ready for school and into the car, then we drove to McDonald's. Let me tell you, they were excited! I bought them each an orange juice, hash browns and they got their free McSkillet Burrito. It was such a fun family morning.

However, on the food side of things, the McSkillet Burritos are very spicy and the kids did not much enjoy them but if you ask for the sauce on the side, you should be fine. And I was really surprised by all the yummy things they put in these burritos! They were great and made a great morning, on the go, meal!

Cream Cheese Brownie Bites

One of my all time favorite treats is chocolate brownies. Combine that with a rich and creamy cheesecake filling and top it with cherries and I am in heaven! These little brownie bites are a creamy, chocolaty dream and so easy to make! Every party I have taken these to they have been a huge hit.

You'll need:

1 Box brownie mix
4 8oz pkg. Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 C. sugar
1 t. Vanilla
1 8 oz tub Whipped Topping, thawed.
1 can Cherry Pie Filling (or other fruit/topping of your choice)

Mix brownies according to package directions. Fill muffin tins with liners. Separate brownie batter into individual muffin liners, fill to 1/2" to 1/3". Bake according to package directions cutting baking time in half, checking after 10 minutes to prevent burning. When a toothpick inserted near the center of the brownie comes out clean, they are done.

Allow to cool to room temperature.

Combine cream cheese, sugar in a mixer until creamy. Add Vanilla. Fold in the whipped topping. Add a dollop to the top of each brownie. Top each with two to three cherries and a bit of the sauce. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Stretch Your Burgers

Not everyone can handle this but my kids can not tell the difference. As the price of meat skyrockets I find it harder and harder to keep meat on the table for my family of seven. However I learned a little trick that helps my ground beef go just a little further. I will add up to a cup of oatmeal to each pound of ground beef before making burgers. I will mix it in with my marinade and let it sit overnight. I have left it for as little as one hour and found that the flavor is not drawn out quite as much but it still works in a pinch. I usually use about a 1/4 c. Worstershire sauce, one teaspoon of yellow or brown mustard, one egg and a pinch of salt, mixed in with the ground beef and oats and let it sit overnight. The next morning I will make the patties and have them ready for my husband to throw them on the grill when he gets home from work.