Spinach ricotta roll ups.

I made a decision to try a new recipe every week and tonight I tried a great one! I made the filling ahead of time and so the dinner was that much easier to put together. For the filling I added some wilted spinach, a tub of ricotta cheese, some grated Parmesan, as well as some grated mixed cheddar and mozzarella, and a couple of eggs. Then I boiled the noodles and spread the filling on the noodle and rolled it up and laid them into a dish and then covered them with pasta sauce. Topped it with more cheese. covered with foil and put in the oven for 45 min. this one was very yummy and the rolls can be frozen individually and reheated later. 

Am I?

How come when I explain my parenting techniques to someone they always say, "wow you sound like a great mom!" Am I? I believe I am a good mom, my kids are all clean, all on par with where they should be or beyond in the case of speech and language and walking all my kids walked and talked early. All my boys were potty trained by 3 or shortly thereafter without much fuss. All of them know their manners, though they may forget them now and then. As parents we all brag, my kids are the greatest, the smartest, the best, etc. But is that because the parent is a good parent or because the kids are doing their best? I do my best with my kids that I know how. I gave up addictions for my kids, I try and give them each their own time, I take time for my kids when they ask, but I still worry that I am making mistakes. My oldest is 13 now and he is truly an amazing kid, but did I do that or did he? He has never talked back to me, never swore at me, never told me he hates me(my 6 yr old has yelled this at me a couple of times). I have learned as a parent that each child needs to be parented differently and what works for one kid may not work for all your kids. My first was a very mellow easy going kid, still is, my next one however was not and is not...I am glad that I got all boys as I would have to adapt again to raising a girl. As a parent I believe in holding my kids, picking them up when they cry, breastfeeding as long as possible, co-sleeping, baby wearing, the occasional spanking when warranted, individual time with my kids as much as possible, keeping my boys intact(non circumcised), putting down what I am doing to pay attention to them, snuggles when asked for them, play as often as we can. Do I make mistakes? Of course I do. Do I make corrections? Of course I do. Am I a great parent? I like to think so...but at the same time I believe I can be better. I strive to be better every day in taking time for myself and making sure that I am OK I make sure that my kids are amazing also! You should meet them they really are something! :)

Tsk Tsk Dream dress for less!

Tonight I came across a horrible story of bad customer service and as a long time customer service rep myself I feel I have to pass on information about a company when I hear it. This poor woman was just trying to have a moment to herself and this is how she was treated, that is deplorable!
http://www.harbourcityseo.com/blog/dream-dress-for-less

Another Yummy Supper!

Tonight I was at a loss as to what to make for dinner so I looked in the fridge and saw a rotisserie chicken from a couple of nights ago and thought pasta! Here's what I made tonight! I started by chopping some onions and pulling the meat from the chicken. Get the pasta going. In the pan I started a rue with butter added the onion and chicken to warm it through. I added flour to the pan and then milk and some red pepper and garlic salt. Let it bubble and thicken up and then toss the cooked pasta into it! It's that easy!

The attitude of gratitude!

I was just texting with a gf about how I recently started Kung Fu and have been working out for a couple weeks now. I've lost 5 pounds but more then that I noticed I feel better and don't hurt as much! I am excited to keep working out as I have never really had a work out routine before, I like seeing results and I am seeing them already! In the course of the texting I mentioned I was having a good year and she replied its about time! Yes it is because I am finally making it happen but more then that I am grateful for what has happened and that makes a difference! I have 4 amazing healthy kids for which I am grateful, I have an amazing bf who has shown me the most important lesson I have ever needed to learn and for that I am grateful! This year has just begun and so far it has been a pretty good year. I can't wait to see what happens next! I wrote a bucket list on my birthday of things I would like to accomplish before my 40th birthday next year, I am sure I will be able to get through all of them and then some this year. Stay tuned to the blog to hear how it went! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Beef pockets

Tonight I was thinking I would try something I have never done and make empanadas. Well my version of them anyways. I made a pie crust with 2 cups flour, 1 tsp salt, 3/4 cup shortning, and 4-5 tbsp water. I mixed that up and set in fridge for an hour. Then I browned a pound of ground beef, with some onions and some garlic salt, some oxo, and some seasonings. I rolled the pie crust out and cut as best as I could big enough to fold over the meat. I stuffed it with the meat and a piece of a cheese stick, folded it, sealed it with egg wash, and brushed it with egg wash then baked them at 400 for 15 minutes. They were so yummy even the kids ate them!

Butternut Squash and chick pea soup.

I'm always trying to find ways to use up veggies I get from the food bank in new and yummy ways and tonight I made the yummiest thing ever! I had a container of cubed butternut squash which I have never used before and I wanted to roast it off to puree for baby food so I tossed it with olive oil salt and pepper and roasted it at 350 for half hour. Let it cool. Then I threw this in the blender with a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas, some leftover chopped up red pepper, water, I had no garlic but do have an oil ceaser dressing so I used that, salt and pepper and blended it together, I heated it up for a bit then transferred it back to the blender and added milk to smooth it out a bit. Put it back in the pot and heat through and I topped mine with olive oil and balsamic vinegar before enjoying!..