Jared's Birthday

Today is Jared's Bday so I'm throwing our healthy eating habits out the window, but just for today and tomorrow, and maybe the weekend also. In actuality we are only over-indulging in desserts, our main meals will still be healthy. Today for dessert we may be having cannolis, which I bought from the supermarket yesterday, or "Oaty" Apple Crisp that I just baked and smells delicious (we'll be having that with vanilla ice-cream which is waiting for us in the freezer). We'll continue to celebrate Jared's birthday with junk/dessert for the rest of the week...or at least that is my plan.

 So happy!

 Jared got some help blowing the candles

For once I remember the seldom use timer in our camera

A Picture of Pears

I started this picture a few days ago. We bought pears and I really liked their shape, so I decided to make a 

"A Picture of Pears". Well, when I was half way through, I mentioned to Jared that I needed to make the colors a little litghter, they were looking a little too dark and they didn't look like pears unless I changed the color, so Jared nice and thoughtful that he is, mentioned how "they would look a little more like pears if I hadn't chosen the ugliest pears in the bunch". I must say that it is not that I chose to paint the ugly ones, we just ate the pretty ones before I could paint them.
 

I need to do something more

Today I watched my boy eat so happily, his feet where dangling, moving back and forward. A small smile on his face as he munched away. Heavenly! It made me wish I could see all the children eat so happily.
Such a happy tranquil moment was tainted with sadness. I am not depressed, I just feel a little powerless, and frivolous with all my spending. I want to do something more, but there are so many charities that missuse their money...I want to find something to do, someone to help...

Butternut Squash Soup

I already made this soup and I, and every member of the family, really liked it. The kids even ask for seconds.


1Tbsp Shallot (I used an onion instead, about 1/4 of it)
1 Clove garlic, pressed or minced
3 cups butternut squash, peeled and seeded
1/2 cup of fat-free chicken broth, low sodium. (I used a lot more broth)

Saute the shallot (onion) in a deep pan in some olive oil (approximately 1 Tbsp) over medium heat.
Once onions are clear add garlic and cook for a few seconds.
Then add broth and butternut squash. Simmer until the squash is soft (about 20 minutes)
Transfer to a blender or food processor and puree.
Return to pan and heat through before serving. Serves 2 to 4.
I used used more of all the ingredients but not quite double the recipe that's why I'm not sure how many it will serve. Also, I make my own broth like concoction which consist of boiling chicken breast for a while with a little salt and pepper until the liquid "not so clear". I don't really like too much a strong chicken taste.
Experiment and Enjoy!

Exercise again

I am starting a new exercise routine because of Jared. He needs to get in shape and lets face it, so do I.
Yesterday we started doing P90X. Which is some crazy hard boot-camp style exercise program. The first day was upper back and chest muscle failure routine which included lots of push ups and pull up with sit-ups at the end. It took 1 2/2 hours to complete the whole thing. Yeah completely crazy and even though I am sore today I really didn't work out as hard as Jared. He pushed himself really hard and can barely raise his arms today.
Then today we did Yoga. Yes Jared joined me for yoga, also part of this P90X. Now it was hard but I can handle it, I love yoga and do it regularly but Jared was sweating profusely.

I will continue to update later this week. I am not quite sure what we'll be doing tomorrow, I think lower body or maybe arms.
Now, I'm off to the post office...