New Friends at the Zoo

 

12 Months

You made it! Mommy and Daddy are so excited see you change during this last year. You have learned so much and grown so tall. You are both close to walking, although Sophia might be first! You LOVE bath time and like it when Daddy pours the water slowly from above so you can touch it. You're hand-eye coordination is getting so much better! You both crawl over to Daddy when he gets home and pull-up on his legs. It makes him smile! Sophia's favorite foods are cheddar cheese and avocados. Lilly's favorites are veggie sticks and scrambled eggs! At your 12 month appointment Sophia was 20 lbs and 28 1/4" and Lilly was 21 lbs and 28 1/4". Such big girls!

How To: Fixing Rolled-up Shorts

You have some of these shorts, don't ya? You know, the ones you would love to wear but cant stand the thought of ironing them over and over again? Well I do and now my children do too! The girls got these cute little denim shorts for their birthday and when they emerged from the dryer my heart sunk as I realized what I had just gotten myself into. No way (ever) would I want to iron my girls tiny shorts every time they wear them. That's just too much upkeep for any piece of clothing (including mine). So as Summer is coming fast, I needed a quick (permanent) fix.

Step 1: Wash and dry shorts
Step 2: Allow yourself to be repulsed at what they now look like
Step3: Iron hem into the right place (or) pin in place if you are like me and don't (ever) want to iron
Step 4: Using matching thread, sew a straight stitch a fat 1/16" from edge. Make sure you backstitch at beginning and end.
Step 5: Stand back and admire your awesome work
Step 6: Rock your low-maintenance shorts!

 

Healing Face Scrub Recipe

 

 

This is a great recipe if you are looking for a green facial scrub! Better yet it's easy to make and will last you a long time! You will need Frankincense and Lemon oils from Young Living (I highly suggest these oils as they are therapeutic grade). Any baking sods will do; the small granules will "buff" your skin and not tear it.

 

Directions (based on a 12oz jar):

1:In a GLASS bowl mix together enough baking soda and olive oil to make a thin paste that will fill up your container.

2:Add 30 drops each of your two oils and mix together well

3:Transfer your oil mixture to your GLASS container and scrub, scrub, scrub away! 

4:After rinsing leave the remaining oil on your skin.

 

Use twice a week at bedtime.

 

ATTENTION: you must use GLASS when using lemon as the oil is so strong in eating away petrochemicals it will eat the plastic of other jars.

 

 

Benefits of the ingredients for your skin:

 

Olive Oil:

Unrefined olive oil is full of inflammation-inhibiting antioxidants, which means it will help relieve skin conditions such as eczema. But among those antioxidants is one called squalene, an antioxidant known for its skin health benefits as well as its cancer-fighting properties. The antioxidants in olive oil help repair skin damage, soothe and relieve chapped, itchy and cracked skin and help rebuild the skin's moisture barrier to prevent further moisture loss from occurring -- and as a bonus those antioxidants will also reduce damage that leads to wrinkles and discoloration.

 

Frankincense:

Frankincense is considered the holy anointing oil in the Middle East, where it has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. More recently, it has been used in European and American hospitals and is the subject of substantial research. Frankincense is also a valuable ingredient in skin care products for aging and dry skin. The ancient Egyptians used it in rejuvenation face masks. Frankincense has an approximate ORAC of 6,125 (TE/L). TE/L is expressed as micromole Trolox equivalent per liter.

◾tones and lifts skin, heals and protects skin (against  boils, wounds, acne and other skin maladies), fades and heals scars

◾promotes regeneration of healthy cells and keeps existing cells and tissues health

◾eliminates germs (either by burning resin or applying oil topically)

Frankincense Oil promotes regeneration of healthy cells and also keeps the existing cells and tissues healthy. When you combine this aspect of frankincense oil with its powerful astringent capabilities, you have a potent anti-aging quality that frankincense oil is often used for. It can help you to eliminate sun spots, remove micro-wrinkles around the eyes and cheeks, and generally tone and tighten skin all over your body, while simultaneously replacing old or dying cells with new, healthy ones!

 

Lemon Oil:

Lemon oil improves immune function, promotes white blood cell formation, improves circulation, clears the mind, and tones the skin. Lemon oil is anti-infectious, antibacterial (especially with spores), antiviral, antiseptic, and a disinfectant. May aid in the prevention of cancer.

Lemon oil deploys antiseptic effects on fresh minor infections of the skin, including acne. Avoid going into the sun immediately after using lemon oil on the skin as burning and itching may occur. When the skin becomes oily, lemon oil provides a natural tonifier, balancing and rejuvenating the skin when used properly. You can place a drop of lemon essential oil on oily skin or blemishes to help balance oil glands and minimize oil production.

 

Credit Sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

*The content stated here is for informational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease.*

 

 

 

 

Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa Bake

So there I was on a Monday night. I had cleaned, paid bills, done laundry, and set appointments all in ONE day! Yay me! So after a day full of productiveness (if that's a word) I felt like I had the willpower to create something magical for dinner. The problem? I have almost no food in which to create a meal.

So what does one do? Improvise!

Who doesn't love quinoa? really. I be the answer is no one. Luckily I had a GIANT Costco-size bag of it in my pantry. With a little creativity and lots of need to look like the best wife ever, I cooked! It turned out awesome! And for the first time in awhile I didn't feed Tristan something from the freezer (almost).

Here is the recipe:

Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa Bake

1 2/3 cup Quinoa cooked
2 cups broccoli cooked (I used the freezer steamers)
2 1/2 cups ground turkey cooked (I used turkey as it was all I had. Chicken would be yummy!)
2 T. butter
1 can Cream of Broccoli Soup
1 cup milk
3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
Dash salt
Dash pepper
Breadcrumbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Set aside first three ingredients after they are cooked

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
Add the can of soup and milk and let it come to a light boil
Add your cheese and stir till it is all melted. (Check out that stringy goodness!)
Add salt and pepper

In a large bowl add quinoa, broccoli and meat. Stir in cheese sauce until well blended

Spray a 9"x13" casserole dish with non-stick spray.
Add mixture evenly.
Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top and cover with foil.

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes removing foil half way through. Enjoy!