I was so excited to take my kids to the Melting Pot resturant. I have been there before and it was so much fun! They serve fondue and I thought it would be a great hit with my kids. It is impossible to get a table on the weekends, they are usually booked and you need a reservation. The earliest we could be seated was 8:30pm. It was to late for my kids so they were tired and I think they would of enjoyed it more if it were earlier.
We started out with a cheese fondue, which we all shared. They serve it with cut up apples, broccoli, carrots and small pieces of bread. It made eating veggies fun, dipping them into the warm cheese. For the second course, we ordered Coq au Vin Fondue with all veggies (broccoli, mushrooms, tofu, carrots, asparagus and edamame). We all ate lots of veggies and ended the meal with a chocolate fondue which included little cubes of rice crispie treats, bananas, strawberries, bite size pieces of chocolate brownies and cheesecake. We had a great time and also managed to eat all our fruits and veggies that night!
The Melting Pot Resturant has more than 145 locations in 37 states and in Canada. It is a great family restaurant. One entree can be shared and it is great to stop in just for dessert! Check out their 'fondue raiser' to fight cancer, join team Livestrong. Benefit is taking place in Darien, Ct. on March 10th and in White Plains, NY on March 31st. Learn more by visiting http://www.fairfieldwestchesterlivestrong.weebly.com/. or just go and have dinner with or without the kids!
Steph
Moms. Friends. Girl Power All the Way!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
TV Free weekend
I've just set a new house rule. TV Free Weekends. At least during the day while it's light out.
While the kids were in daycare full time I did not feel as bad about TV watching because I knew that they were stimulated and active all day at school. But now that the kids are home during the day with my aunt who watches them while I'm at work, I know that they are watching more TV then I'd like. So continuing the TV at night and weekends is too much. So I've initiated TV Free nights and weekends.
As I speak my youngest is in a laundry basket being pushed across the floor by the older one. They are interacting with each other, being active and using their imagination. Now that they are both old enough to play with each other, 5 and 2, I feel like I can sit here on the computer or make dinner and let them play without having to be on top of them. Now I realize they can entertain each other so making this new rule work is easier than I expected to be and I'm very happy about that.
Jan
While the kids were in daycare full time I did not feel as bad about TV watching because I knew that they were stimulated and active all day at school. But now that the kids are home during the day with my aunt who watches them while I'm at work, I know that they are watching more TV then I'd like. So continuing the TV at night and weekends is too much. So I've initiated TV Free nights and weekends.
As I speak my youngest is in a laundry basket being pushed across the floor by the older one. They are interacting with each other, being active and using their imagination. Now that they are both old enough to play with each other, 5 and 2, I feel like I can sit here on the computer or make dinner and let them play without having to be on top of them. Now I realize they can entertain each other so making this new rule work is easier than I expected to be and I'm very happy about that.
Jan
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Pain In The Neck No More
I've been suffering from neck and shoulder pain for years. It's right at the base of my right neck and shoulder. I was happy to receive an email from Whole Living with neck pain relief tips, Tension Tamers. I've tried the tips but the one I seem to like most is the Lift and Lengthen technique. I have found it to be easy to do and it feels great.
Jan
I have had a noticable difference in the level of pain or lack thereof. I've still had some pain but it has not been as intense. Where I've had constant pain before, I now have hours of pain-free neck and shoulder. I've been doing this exercise several times throughout the day just for a minute at a time. It's made a huge difference and highly recommend it if you also suffer from neck and shoulder pain."Rotate your shoulders in a circle: Roll shoulders forward (above image), then up and back (below image), and finally bring them back to a relaxed position. Coordinate with your breath, inhaling as you pull forward and exhaling with a sigh as you rotate them around, letting go of all physical and mental tension. Repeat 3 times."
Jan
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Pasta Made Healthy
The other night I whipped together a great dinner that was easy to prepare and healthy. It won over my family maybe it will win over yours. I bought whole wheat pasta from the local pasta shop. It is handmade and used with the finest ingredients. In our household we only eat wheat products and stay away from white pasta, rice, and bread. After that, I steamed the whole wheat pasta, broccoli, carrots and peas. Then I bought some shrimp and garlic cloves and mixed it with olive oil and sauteed it in a pan. I poured it over the cooked whole wheat pasta and then added the cooked veggies and throughlly mixed it all together. What a hit! Protein, fiber, omega-3, and a low fat meal on the fly.
If you have young children in the house you know that it is not always easy to get them to eat all their veggies and that their favorite dish is mac and cheese! A great way to sneak some veggies in is to add tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, and peas, or substitute any veggies you would like into some mac and cheese and then stir them together.
Another easy and low fat pasta dish is to take whole wheat pasta, which is higher in fiber, and your body doesn't break it down into sugar like white pasta. Is mixing it with low-fat or fat-free ricotta cheese and tomato sauce. It is very high in protein and those of us who are athletic and walking isn't enough need higher protein dishes.
If you have young children in the house you know that it is not always easy to get them to eat all their veggies and that their favorite dish is mac and cheese! A great way to sneak some veggies in is to add tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, and peas, or substitute any veggies you would like into some mac and cheese and then stir them together.
Another easy and low fat pasta dish is to take whole wheat pasta, which is higher in fiber, and your body doesn't break it down into sugar like white pasta. Is mixing it with low-fat or fat-free ricotta cheese and tomato sauce. It is very high in protein and those of us who are athletic and walking isn't enough need higher protein dishes.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Ready to Toss the Salad Aside? Healthy Lunch Alternative from O Magazine
Trying to improve your diet and get in your daily dose of veggies but tired of the same old salad? Frozen dinners not satisfying? Let's face it, when you tear off the plastic film, the food NEVER looks like the picture on the box. Here's a super great and easy idea to get your fill of veggies that looks good and tastes good, and it's easy!
In an O Magazine article, Do You Need a Health Coach? Pointers from the Pros, "The Remedy for Salad Fatigue" offers a simple way to make a yummy well balanced fast and easy lunch. Throw some frozen vegetables into a Tupperware container, add some protein and sauce. By lunchtime the vegetables will thaw and it will be ready to eat or throw it in the microwave to enjoy a nice hot meal that is nutritous, looks good and tastes good.
Ideas from O Magazine, Remedy for Salad Fatigue:
- Southwest vegetables with black beans and salsa
- Asian vegetables with canned salmon and sesame ginger vinaigrette
My ideas include
- Broccoli and carrots, left over chicken - diced, soy sauce, heat in the microwave
- Asparagus tips, left over pork -shredded in the food processor or diced, beans, BBQ sauce, heat in the microwave
This is easy and way more satisfying then salads or frozen dinners. Mix it up with this low cost and low prep lunch option.
Enjoy.
Jan
In an O Magazine article, Do You Need a Health Coach? Pointers from the Pros, "The Remedy for Salad Fatigue" offers a simple way to make a yummy well balanced fast and easy lunch. Throw some frozen vegetables into a Tupperware container, add some protein and sauce. By lunchtime the vegetables will thaw and it will be ready to eat or throw it in the microwave to enjoy a nice hot meal that is nutritous, looks good and tastes good.
Ideas from O Magazine, Remedy for Salad Fatigue:
- Southwest vegetables with black beans and salsa
- Asian vegetables with canned salmon and sesame ginger vinaigrette
My ideas include
- Broccoli and carrots, left over chicken - diced, soy sauce, heat in the microwave
- Asparagus tips, left over pork -shredded in the food processor or diced, beans, BBQ sauce, heat in the microwave
This is easy and way more satisfying then salads or frozen dinners. Mix it up with this low cost and low prep lunch option.
Enjoy.
Jan
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Kicking off book club with Little Bee
A friend asked if I'd like to join her newly created book club. I hesitated because my first thought is I don't possibly have the time to read a book. The last book I read was several years ago and it took 6 months to finish. I went home and thought about it and thought about the benefits reading, possibly the most important is set a good example for my dauther. Showing my daughter that reading is not just educational but fun, entertaining and inspiring. Additionally, the social outlet for me is probably a huge bonus as I don't have any girlfriend time, quite honestly I don't really any social outlet outside work. My children, the cleaning, shopping and cooking seem to consume all my time. Then there's the added element of starting this blog. Seriously, do I have time???
Having a reason to read will inspire me to do it and being well read is something certainly worth striving for. This opportunity must have presented itself to me for a reason and I'd be foolish to not take it when there is no down side except finding the time to do it. Am I biting off more than I can chew? Maybe in the end, reading as a way to wind down is what I actually need in my struggle to reduce stress and and the stress related pain.
Perhaps being thrown into something is the kick I needed to start reading again. The selection for our first book, Little Bee by Chris Cleave, is a book that I would have never selected myself. Because I'm on a limited budget, I took my daughter to the library and checked it out. While she spent time on the computer I managed to read the first two chapters and it was very pleasurable to have a half hour of quiet time reading. I am now excited to read more and I'm very happy for this new enrichment in my life. I also have to say hearing someone else's struggles reminds me that I have had a blessed life and even though times can be difficult I appreciate what I do have and the appreciate the capability I have to make myself better every day.
As I've stated it is my quest to live a better and more fulfilling life and I am taking this year to make baby steps toward achieving a happier me. Having a situation that presented itself to me will provide a social outlet I've been looking for plus enrich my life on many levels. So how could I turn down this opportunity. I'll provide my book club updates.
Jan
Having a reason to read will inspire me to do it and being well read is something certainly worth striving for. This opportunity must have presented itself to me for a reason and I'd be foolish to not take it when there is no down side except finding the time to do it. Am I biting off more than I can chew? Maybe in the end, reading as a way to wind down is what I actually need in my struggle to reduce stress and and the stress related pain.
Perhaps being thrown into something is the kick I needed to start reading again. The selection for our first book, Little Bee by Chris Cleave, is a book that I would have never selected myself. Because I'm on a limited budget, I took my daughter to the library and checked it out. While she spent time on the computer I managed to read the first two chapters and it was very pleasurable to have a half hour of quiet time reading. I am now excited to read more and I'm very happy for this new enrichment in my life. I also have to say hearing someone else's struggles reminds me that I have had a blessed life and even though times can be difficult I appreciate what I do have and the appreciate the capability I have to make myself better every day.
As I've stated it is my quest to live a better and more fulfilling life and I am taking this year to make baby steps toward achieving a happier me. Having a situation that presented itself to me will provide a social outlet I've been looking for plus enrich my life on many levels. So how could I turn down this opportunity. I'll provide my book club updates.
Jan
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Move and Be Spontaneous! Tips from Terri Trespecio at the Martha Stewart Book Signing
After the Martha Stewart book signing of "Power Foods 150 delicious recipes with the 38 healthiest ingredients" on Saturday at the Fairway Market in Stamford, CT, Whole Living senior editor, Terri Trespicio took the stage for a fantastic presentation on how to get energized. This is the kind of stuff I'm looking for because my energy level is low and I'm so easily exhausted. I'll share a couple great tips that she shared.
(Pictures: left Martha Stewart and me, right Terri Trespicio, Whole Living senior editor)
Stand Up! It can be as easy as that. Sitting for eight hours at the computer leads can cause havoc on the body. Simply standing up can be enough exercise to start with to get you moving. I always say baby steps and standing up I can handle. I have been standing up try to stand up at work every hour. It should be more like 2 or 3 times an hour just so I move and stretch. I get terrible neck and shoulder pain and simple "exercise" aka standing is a small comittment I can make at my desk and help to alleviate the pain and keep me moving. If you spend hours a day sitting, STAND UP!
Be Spontaneous in the Produce Section! I never thought of this. I always buy the same produce and prepare the same meals. I've never ventured out because I don't know what to do with strange fruit and vegetables. I don't know how to prepare it or what to serve it with. I hope the Power Foods recipes will help with that but just buying it and trying it, what can it hurt?
Just Breath! Finally the last great tidbit is a form of baby steps to meditation. Terri estimated that you take about 20 breaths in a minute. Her suggestion is to count 20 breaths when you're feeling stressed. It gives you a no stress minute. I've tried to do this several times and I generally start getting random thoughts shooting in at 6. I have work to do. But it's a great way to start "meditating" and destressing without a big commitment.
So my mission for this week is to Move more simply by standing, to get crazy with produce and to count to 20!
Jan
(Pictures: left Martha Stewart and me, right Terri Trespicio, Whole Living senior editor)
Stand Up! It can be as easy as that. Sitting for eight hours at the computer leads can cause havoc on the body. Simply standing up can be enough exercise to start with to get you moving. I always say baby steps and standing up I can handle. I have been standing up try to stand up at work every hour. It should be more like 2 or 3 times an hour just so I move and stretch. I get terrible neck and shoulder pain and simple "exercise" aka standing is a small comittment I can make at my desk and help to alleviate the pain and keep me moving. If you spend hours a day sitting, STAND UP!
Be Spontaneous in the Produce Section! I never thought of this. I always buy the same produce and prepare the same meals. I've never ventured out because I don't know what to do with strange fruit and vegetables. I don't know how to prepare it or what to serve it with. I hope the Power Foods recipes will help with that but just buying it and trying it, what can it hurt?
Just Breath! Finally the last great tidbit is a form of baby steps to meditation. Terri estimated that you take about 20 breaths in a minute. Her suggestion is to count 20 breaths when you're feeling stressed. It gives you a no stress minute. I've tried to do this several times and I generally start getting random thoughts shooting in at 6. I have work to do. But it's a great way to start "meditating" and destressing without a big commitment.
So my mission for this week is to Move more simply by standing, to get crazy with produce and to count to 20!
Jan
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