Saturday Smiles

Balloons in the Distance

An exciting morning brought a few balloons our way today.  I cannot express how ridiculously excited I get when I see any balloons off in the distance, so when the wind blows our direction and they are right overhead - you can just imagine my craziness.  I run around the house yelling at  everyone (in this instance, waking my sleeping tween and teen on a weekend)! Then grab the camera and run outside in my p-js, bathrobe, towel (well, I haven't done that just yet) - I just don't care as I have to get out to see the balloons.  Anyway, must have been a good day to fly as off in the distance we could see about 25+ and then they just kept getting closer and closer....this one landed in the lot next to us:)  So, if you happen to visit, be prepared to be woken by the "Crazy Balloon Lady" - I just can't stop myself.

Getting closer...

Landing next door!

Green Chile Feta Turkey Burgers

These are simply the best per my family.  You don't have to use the green chiles, sometimes I just use the feta, sometimes I add bacon and cheddar... whatever mood strikes ya - go for it and make these!

Mix in a bowl - 1 pkg of ground turkey (this would make 4 large burgers or 5 regular size burgers), 1 TB water, about 1/8 cup of bread crumbs, about 1/8 cup of grated parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, parsley, cayenne pepper, garlic, 1 can of chopped green chiles, about 1/8 cup of crumbled feta cheese.  Combine all with your hands (kind of like mixing meatballs).  Form into patties and grill!  *adjust your seasoning as you wish - I don't really measure and just dump stuff in these as I've made them so many times.

Green Chile Feta Turkey Burgers with a skinny bun!

Do you know the magic number?

10,000!  You know that is the amount of steps we all are 'supposed' to get each day to maintain heart health, fend off type 2 diabetes, lower BMI, increase energy, and generally live a long healthy life.

I think I probably used to get this plus some before the move!  However, life's been little crazy since then and honestly with my  new fantastic kitchen I have been cooking (and baking!) more than before and have found it hard to get back into my exercise routine.

So, I bought myself a Fitbit after Christmas to at least track my steps (and maybe get back in shape) - I like motivation and I figured this would give it to me.  Let me say, it is SO much better than the average pedometer (worth the $).  I got the least expensive one as I hate things on my wrist and really don't need to track my sleep as I am pretty steadfast on getting enough of that!

I did not realize how difficult it is to get that 10,000 steps in.  Seriously, I am dying here and wondering how (IF?) others get enough exercise... I have been pretty earnest about getting on my elliptical for 40-50 minutes 5 days/week.  I go at a pretty good clip with resistance and average a little over 3 miles. And although home, I don't sit around eating bon-bons all day - in fact I rarely sit until after dinner. The only way I reach the 10,000 is if I walk the dog 2 miles and do the elliptical!  

This is crazy stuff - what do you think?  Do you get your 10,000 steps?  I'm thinking most of us don't. At least I know I am getting my 30+ minutes of cardio - that's good for my heart too:)  So maybe my magic number is just that - whatever I end up with after my elliptical workout?

If you are inspired to get a Fitbit, let me know.  We can connect on the site and motivate each other!

Off to cook (or maybe I'll bake something for dessert....)

Cold Snow and Warm Fuzzies!

Woke up early this a.m. to some surprise snowfall - ahh pretty! Last night I filed bills (a job I hate and put off until the papers are falling off the shelf) - and I came across my "Warm Fuzzy" file from my O.T. (occupational therapy) days... I've been feeling a little inadequate as a "stay-at-homeschool" mom since the move so it was nice to reminisce about my "real" work days.  I had some great work opportunities (Shepherd Spinal Center, Thoms Rehab, IHS) and some fantastic patients (the real Nell from the Jodie Foster  movie of the same name, a race car driver in Vegas, a homeless quadriplegic man named "Varmit" - his painting is below - sweet Flossie and many more) and co-workers (Diane, Deena, Dawn, Ed, Deb, Art etc...) - made me smile to read their sweet notes and remember those days.  I had a lot of fun as an OT, but don't worry about me heading back to work...I KNOW I have made the right decision to stay home and educate E- and M- and they continue to provide me with warm fuzzies everyday that I don't have to store in a file:)

Gifford loves the snow too!

Warm Fuzzies

  

Go Broncos!

Super Bowl Time - Here's our day of food and fun... I even made pom-poms and I hope you will all get a good laugh at my cheerleading attempt:)  Hubby and M- made some amazing buffalo chicken bites and meatza pizza... yummy!  Still holding out hope for the Broncos, I can't say the same for Bruno Mars who is doing the half-time show as I type.

Green Chile Pork and Potato Soup

Tonight's dinner - Green Chile Pork and Potato Soup (yep - lots of green chile in my recipes... it keeps us healthy!)

Place all in the crock pot (which by the way is my most favorite kitchen appliance):
Boneless Pork Roast (I use Costco's pork sirloin tip roast)
1 can chicken broth (you could omit this and just use water too)
Spices - salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano
Onion (you can use as much or as little as you like - I don't use much 'cause my hubby hates them)
Garlic (1-4 cloves chopped or minced)
Green Chiles (chopped - use the real deal if you can get them.  Otherwise canned will work, but you may want to add some extra spice)
Potatoes (about 2-3 medium diced)
Water  (enough to cover all that you put in the crockpot).

Cook on low for about 4 hours.  Remove the pork and either shred or cut into cubes (it should be cooked through by now).  Place back in the crock.  Continue to cook on low about 2 hours.  Serve with warmed tortillas and garnish with sour cream, cilantro, and/or tomatoes if you wish.  Oh yea - and the mango margarita goes well with this too:)

Green Chile Pork and Potato soup

The Good, The Bad, and a Mango Margarita!

*Note for future posts... the kids, in the spirit of Hugo's Les Miserables, will hereby be deemed as E- and M- I'd explain, but you'll just have to read the book to get it.

E-  finished her finals this week!  Semester one is officially over:)  Here's what she took:  AP American History (multiple choice + an essay), Material Logic, Classical Studies (4 exams for this class), English Composition, Biology, and a Biology term paper!  Let's just say she did better than well on all except the History multiple choice (we are waiting final outcome as there will be a curve).

M- had his first flag football practice (I'd call it more of a clinic) today.  Not a good experience for him. Poor boy, he was so excited to go and it just didn't meet his expectations.  Why?  Kids were "rude, crude, indifferent".  I know our kids are 'different' (in a good way) in that they are kind, compassionate, polite, and guess what - they don't cuss!  E- has kind of gotten over this part of the "normal"population and is able to look past it, not so much for the boy quite yet.  He's having a difficult time with this transition to the SW and it is killing me!  I am sure he'll connect with someone at some point, but the interim is tough.  Hoping when he is actually placed on a team, that there will be a few nice kids and a better experience!

And... the mango margarita - oh my!  I have been wanting to make this for few months, but didn't have the tequila etc... and you gotta have tequila for a margarita.  Anyway, after freezing at the football clinic and worrying about my sad boy, I felt I needed one.  I am not giving away the recipe, but if you come visit, I can make you one:)  OK - if you are dying for one now you can probably get the recipe from the Pioneer Woman.  BUT, you know it would be more fun to visit and have one with me!

Cheers!

Mango Madness!