Start the Revolution

This was the evening sky last night as we watched football practice.  Sunbeams as far as the eye can see, radiating above our tiny, precious football players.  

Do you see those little guys, in the huddle?

With all the chaos in the world (Syria, Miley Cyrus and just about everything else on the news) I thought this picture was a very good reminder of the goodness all around us.  There is so much beauty in every day, don't let the ugly overshadow it.  

Don't let the chaos win.

Teach your children how to be good and noble, and how to respect themselves and those around them.  The world could use a little more character.  A little more of what's right, and a lot less of what's wrong.

Let's start the revolution. 

Hug your babies, and enjoy a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

 

 

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A Few of the Many Reasons I Love Capri Sun

Summer is winding down.  While the beginning of summer was met with excitement and plenty of fun in the sun, these last few weeks have been a bit lazier.

I'm having to push my kids into the pool and organize activities to get them running around.  They don't know it, and they wouldn't believe it, but they really need school to start. 

Last week, several moms from my town decided to get the kids out on one last hurrah before school starts at the end of August.  There is a gorgeous state park about thirty miles away, and there is plenty for the kids in terms of swimming, hiking and just PLAYING.  I felt this was a great opportunity for my kids to see friends and more importantly spend time together.

There is much more squabbling and annoying each other when we're all stuck within the walls of our house.  Fresh air has a way of lightening everyone's mood, mine included.

Before I leave for any event, I pack a cooler of snacks and drinks.  Truthfully, every time I leave the house I have at least a Capri Sun pouch in my purse.  My kids don't weather thirst or hunger very well; both lead to meltdowns and attitude problems.  With four kids, buying everyone a beverage when we're out and about is not in the budget.  Neither are brand name jeans or fancy sneakers.

Thus, every trip to the supermarket includes tossing at least two boxes of Capri Sun Roarin' Waters Flavored Water Beverage into my cart, and every trip to the mall includes coupons and sale racks.

When you're raising a small army, you have to be resourceful.

As far as beverages go, I prefer the Roarin' Waters because it's only 30 calories, no artificial colors or flavors and is the perfect drink to hydrate my kids on a hot summer day.  My kids prefer them because, well, they are much more exciting than a bottle of water.  Whenever possible I try to be exciting, because I have a habit of enforcing rules and assigning chores.

Such a Debbie Downer.

For our trip to the state park, I packed plenty of snacks and Capri Sun pouches.  While the weather wasn't ideal for swimming (or being at a park period), the kids didn't seem to mind.  The wind was gusting, but everyone under the age of 20 still found their way into the lake.

Ah, to be a kid again.

 

 

With school around the corner, I've been stocking my Capri Sun boxes in the basement.  They are a must for school lunches and football games.  My kids love them, and they are super easy and convenient.  Today I decided to try a new flavor, Capri Sun Super V Fruit and Vegetable Juice Drink in Fruit Punch.  Super V has a 1 combined serving of fruits and vegetables*, and that tiny pouch even packs some fiber.  Perfect for my growing munchkins.

Find out more about Capri Sun and all their family friendly products.  Or you can check them out on Facebook.

I'm wondering, what's your "go-to" beverage when you are out and about with your kids?

 

* Each pouch provides 1/2 cup of fruit and vegetable juice. According to U.S. dietary guidelines, Capri Sun Super V Fruit and Vegetable Drink contains one combined serving of fruit and vegetables--3/4 from fruit juice and 1/4 from vegetable juice. Be sure to feed your kids a variety of whole fruits and vegetables each day.

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The Barn Cat

A few weeks ago, I posted about adorable farm kittens born under our porch.  I am not a cat person, so this discovery was met with mixed emotions.  Despite being allergic and having no desire to ever own a cat, I was won over by the tiny critters. 

Couldn't help myself. 

Luckily, they decided to move their home base to the shed next door.  As cute as they were, they started murdering innocent baby rabbits and I didn't really want them pooping and peeing under our porch.  Now we can admire them from a yard away instead of our front door.

A few days ago, one of the barn cats from across the street was hanging in our driveway.  To our surprise he greeted us when we approached him.  Usually these cats are rather skittish, and there are many of them around the neighborhood.

But this guy was friendly, and he followed my son around for a bit.  My little guy loved it, and I let him feed the cat the leftover kitten food (yes, I know, don't feed the strays...). 

The two hung out all afternoon.

The next day, he was waiting for my son on the porch. 

Despite my worn-down-but-still-anti-cat attitude, I let my son know his friend was waiting for him.  I'm thinking it's harmless, and my son gets to enjoy a "pet" he would never otherwise enjoy. 

Besides, we're "country" people now.  I think it's time I get used to all the animals.  Allergies or not, these cats are not going anywhere.  I do know they will never live in my house, but I'm sure my kids will try and sneak a few in my garage.  I guess I'll never have to worry about mouse terds.

Always a silver lining.

Happy Wednesday all, make it totally amazing!

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Peaches & Cream Spice Cake

One thing I hate is having insomnia.  

It doesn't happen to me very often.  Usually when my head hits the pillow at night I am DONE.

But sometimes, my mind is going 100 mph and I can't shut it off.

Typically that happens when I am planning a party.

So I start baking in my mind.

I was planning my Mother-in-law's birthday dinner, and the one thing I knew would be involved...

PEACHES!

My dear friend, Betsy, has peach trees in her yard.

I have never in all my days had a peach from the grocery store that even compared to these!!

My Mother-in-law, Marie, LOVES peach pie.

If i ask her what kind of pie I should bring, she always says peach!

So that wasn't hard to decide.

Peach pie...peach pie...AND...?????

When we all get together there are usually like 20+ of us.

I needed a cake, too.

Last year I canned ginger peaches.

(so mad I never blogged those...)

I love spiced peaches.

So, I wondered... hummmm? Spice Cake?

What else goes with peaches?

I knew that if I asked my son, Spencer he would reminisce about having peaches and cream at his great grandma's house.

(My Mother-in-law's Mother-in-law...)

So, cream it was!!

I made a Spice Cake and filled it with a peach filling, topped it off with whipped cream frosting.

Top it off with freshly sliced peaches...to make it pretty! <3 p="">

So, now I will share with you what I did... It was really quite easy!!

Peaches & Cream Spice Cake

Cake:

1 box spice cake, make according to box instructions for a layer cake

Bake According to the box.

Peach Filling:

3 T cornstarch

1/2 cup sugar

3 T lemon juice

1 1/2 cup peaches, mashed

1 c boiling water

1 T butter

2 t lemon zest

a couple of drops of pink food coloring (optional)

In a double boiler over water, add sugar, salt and cornstarch.  Top off with boiling water and stir until thick and there are no lumps.

Add butter, lemon zest and juice. Mix thoroughly.

Add peaches a optional food coloring.

Stir.

Place in refrigerator to cool.

Whipped Cream Frosting:

1 - 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened

1/2 c granulated sugar

1 t vanilla extract

1/2 t almond extract

2 c heavy whipping cream

In your standing mixer with whisk attachment whip together cream cheese and sugar until smooth.

Add extracts and slowly add cream.

Whip continually, occasionally stopping beater to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, until frosting forms peaks.

Place in refrigerator while you assemble the cake.

When cake is cool, place bottom layer on your plate.

Top with peach filling, saving a little bit to fill in sides.

Top off with second layer.

Fill in the gaps in the sides of the filling.

It looks like a giant hamburger!! ;)

Spread frosting over top and sides of cake.

Top with fresh peaches, and add some to the sides.

Keep in the refrigerator.

Top with candles! (optional)

Serve to your favorite birthday girl (or boy...)

Optional...but so nice!!

Happy Birthday, Marie!!

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Tie Dye Sprinkle Cake

This cake was created as a last minute, "we're going somewhere what should I bring" dessert.

Ever have one of those?

Usually, in times of desperation I just go to the grocery store.  This past weekend, I challenged myself to make something fabulous out of what I had in my pantry.  I'm not going to say this is fabulous, but everyone under the age of fourteen was pretty excited about it.  And truthfully, that is so my crowd when we're talkin' food preferences.

To make this bad boy, you'll need:

1 box cake mix (prepared)
1 container Snack Pack Pudding (or similar, I used vanilla)
1 container vanilla frosting
rainbow sprinkles (an abundance)
food coloring (assorted)
2 round 8" or 9" cake pans
1/2 cup flour (for dusting pans)

Preheat oven to 350.  Thoroughly grease cake pans and dust with flour, making sure to remove excess flour.  Prepare cake mix, and pour into cake pans as evenly as possible.

Bake according to package instructions, I baked my 2 round 9" cake pans for 24 minutes.

Remove from oven, and cool completely on wire rack.  If you are pressed for time (as I was) allow to cool about twenty to thirty minutes and remove from pans by loosening sides with knife and turning them upside down onto rack and gently tapping underside of pan. 

The danger in this method is you are risking the perfection of your cakes, as seen below.

The good news is that most small imperfections can be easily hidden in the stacking and decorating process.

You need to let the cakes cool completely before you stack and decorate, and to speed this process along I placed mine in the fridge.

I am truly, Martha Stewart's nightmare. 

Once cool, place bottom cake on plate.  Spread vanilla pudding over top as a filling.  Cover pudding with rainbow sprinkles, and stack second cake over top.

To prepare the frosting, you need to empty vanilla frosting into a bowl, and drop a few drops of food coloring in and mix JUST enough to see some streaks.  Go easy here, you don't want a brown sloppy mess.  A few drops of two to three colors (I recommend primary colors) is all you need.

This is after gently mixing a few drops of yellow, blue and red.

Remember, you will be spreading this frosting and the colors will blend more.

Frost the cake.  For sprinkles, you'll have to hold cake plate on an angle and pour rainbow sprinkles along sides, catching excess in a bowl or pan underneath as you turn cake.  You can reuse the sprinkles until the sides of cake are covered in colorful, child pleasing sprinkles.

Voila.  A delightfully colorful tie dye sprinkle cake that is guaranteed to excite munchkins everywhere.

Happy Tuesday!

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From the NFL to Youth Football, it's All About Player Safety

       “I have two boys and they both play football.  Both my father and my brothers played the game, so I was fortunate to grow up around the sport and can appreciate the many great life skills it teaches.” 

-  Charlotte Jones Anderson, Executive Vice President of the Dallas Cowboys, Chairman, NFL Foundation; parent of three athletes



When I read this quote I thought, That is my life.  I know exactly what she's talking about.   Both my boys play football. Growing up my four brothers played football.  My dad coached my brothers and my husband coaches our sons.

I've loved football my entire life.  In fact, during football season football is life.

Football has taught my boys many life skills.  They've learned dedication, work ethic, how to play as a team and the importance of being ON TIME.  I'll bet the farm that if you had to run laps when you're late for work you wouldn't be late for work.

Harsh yes, but it works.  

I've met many parents on my parenting journey who have questioned how safe football is for kids, and they wonder if I worry about my kids playing football.  I can say with all honesty that there have been plenty of games when my stomach was in knots as soon as I saw the size of the kids on the other team.

Or more importantly, the size of the kid lining up against my kid on the field.

I'm blessed to have my husband involved in coaching football because he's attended many clinics on player safety, and he knows the proper techniques for blocking, tackling and simply playing.  He's able to reassure me when I'm nervous about a game, and he's able to educate players to keep them healthy and safe.  He knows how to spot a concussion, and every team he's ever coached starts with players in shirts and shorts.

After a few practices they add a helmet, and then pads.  The coaches ease the boys into their season and this enables the kids to learn where to run, how to tackle, and where exactly the ball is supposed to go.

All of these keep the players safe because there is no better way to get run over on a football field than to be standing there with no clue on what is going on.

I'll take this opportunity to add that knowing the game is essential to safety and while it may be annoying to get to three, four, sometimes five practices a week, it's important.  When parents sign their boys up for football, they need to understand they are signing up for late nights on the field, away games, and mud practices.  It's all part of the deal.  All of the practice time teaches players the game and the positions, and without it, kids are more likely to be injured.

I feel blessed that my boys are participating at a time when player safety and youth concussion laws are in place.  When my brothers played there was not as much awareness as there is now.  Heads Up Football, the NFL, and USA Football are educating youth football leagues across the country on proper tackling techniques.  Proper tackling prevents unnecessary injuries and keeps players healthy.  The NFL has also advocated for the passage of youth concussion laws in every state, hoping to protect youth athletes and ensure they get proper medical care. As a result, nearly every state in the country now has a youth concussion law.   


With boys all over the country suiting up for their football season, this is very good news for players and parents.  

As a veteran football mom, I have a few safety tips for parents who are new to parenting a football player:

1.  Prepare your kids.  Remind them to pay attention to their coaches and to work hard.  Football is not for the faint of heart.  Everyone hates the first few weeks of practice, it's a shock to the system after all that summer fun in the pool.  Tell your kids to work through it, they'll be glad they did.

2.  When the equipment comes home, have your son wear his helmet in the house.  I always had my boys sit and watch their television programs with that bad boy on their head.  If there is one piece of equipment that takes some getting used to, it's a helmet.

3.  Make sure their equipment fits well and is worn properly.

4.  Know the signs of a concussion, and remember you're better safe than sorry.  It never hurts to visit the pediatrician.

5.  Get to practice early.  There's nothing worse than showing up to practice late and having to throw equipment on and get going.  If your player is early, he's able to warm up and be with his team before that whistle blows.

Last but not least, bring plenty of water and make sure your son stays hydrated.  On those hot August afternoons, you may want to pack a cooler with drinks and a cold towel for your son to keep cool.  

Wishing every player a healthy and productive football season.  Remember to have fun, and play hard!

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Save with Target Cartwheel

Recently, I discovered an app called "Target Cartwheel."  I stumbled upon it somehow, like everything else in life.

The app is fairly simple, although when I first started using it it did take me a good few minutes to get going.  Basically, the Cartwheel app is just a place chock full of mobile coupons.  You can browse the categories, which are fairly descriptive, and select offers such as 5% off bagged apples, or 15% off Cherokee tops for boys.

When you choose an offer it goes into your "Cartwheel."

You get so many "slots" to put your offers in, and as you continue to use Cartwheel you can open up more slots to save.  When you go to the check out, the cashier scans the Cartwheel barcode on your phone to apply your savings and discounts. 

You don't fumble with coupons, you just flash your Cartwheel barcode. 

Cartwheel offers aren't going to save you thousands, but I've saved about $20.00 in the last three weeks, which is pretty nifty.  The app has become a "see how much I can save with Cartwheel" game. 

Cartwheel offers can be combined with coupons, sales and Redcard savings, which adds up to even more cash in your wallet.  If you're a Target shopper, consider downloading Cartwheel, because using it will make you even happier in Target.

Hard to believe, but true.

For the record Target has no idea who I am.  Well, the local Target does because I'm there every day.  I'm just saying that I shared this because I love to save.

And I know you do too.

Happy weekend.  Try the Cartwheel app and let me know what you think!

Check out my post "Save BIG at Target" for even more moneysaving tips!

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Mint Brookies

Wednesday morning my oldest daughter informed me that she was having dinner at my niece's house with all of her cousins to send my nephew, Alex, off to college.  

She offered to bring dessert.

Now mind you she was headed to school from 8-3:30, and worked until 6. I wasn't sure when she planned to make the brownie mix she had in her hand?

She told me she was just taking it over my niece's and making it there.

yea, right.

I'd like to think I was teaching her entertaining skills...but that morning I felt like I was failing miserably.

I decided that a regular 'ol brownie mix wasn't going to be the way to go.

I decided that cookies would be a better option.

My baking cupboard was looking pretty sparse.

So....how about Brookies?

Yes!! It's the best of both worlds, a cookie and a brownie!

I dug through my cupboard and found some mint chips, perfect!

Mint/Chocolate is my niece, Leah's favorite combination!

*she grins*

So this is what I came up with!

Using the brownie mix and my muffin pan, these Mint Brookies were created!!

I was later informed by Liz, my departing nephew's girlfriend, who was also leaving for college, that it was the perfect idea, being since they were attending South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota!

Score one for me that I didn't even know about!

*winks*

Mint Brookies with Milk based Mint Ganache Drizzle

Brookie

1 brownie mix that makes a 9x13 pan, made according to box instructions

plus, 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

3/4 cup mint chocolate chips

Mint Chocolate Ganache Drizzle (made with milk not cream)

1 cup mint chocolate chips

3 Tablespoons milk

dash of peppermint extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray.

Prepare brownie mix as directed on package, and add in extract and mint chips.

Pour into muffin tins, I filled them about 1/3 of the way full.

Note: They got a little bit thicker than I had intended. If you want them more like a cookie, they would make more, my batch made 20, but you would have to vary the baking time a bit, and bake them for a shorter amount of time.

Bake for 15 minutes, watch them closely!

Cool in pans for a bit, then remove and cool on your counter for a little while longer.

Place chips and milk in a sauce pan over low heat, stirring constantly until the chips are melted.

Add dash of extract and give it a swirl with a whisk.

Drizzle over the brookies.

Drizzle will firm up some, if you don't want them quite as gooey, place them in the fridge for a bit before serving.

cousin love

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Accomplishing Things (For Now)

In case you missed it, yesterday was back to school for us.  Don't be fooled by this pose-y, smiley picture, the one in all black tried to make a run for it the second the bus was in view.

I only have photo evidence of two of my four cherubs on their first day back.  My oldest would have died a thousand deaths if I pulled this on him before loading the Jr/Sr High bus, and he was barely functioning anyhow.  My youngest will get it, but she starts in another week.

I promise I will stop talking about back to school after I share everything I accomplished between 8am and 3pm.  It's just too exciting.

1. Breakfast with a friend
2. Return at Target
3. Shopping at Target using coupons effectively.
4. Left Target with EVERYTHING I needed.
5. De-spidered front porch, including web removal with a broom.  For the record these spiders out here in the country are no joke.  Oh my word I would lose a year off my life if one of those gigantic monster web spinners landed on me.

Moving on...
6. Scrubbed front porch and front door area.
7. Laundry in
8. Laundry out
9. Kitchen picked up
10. Was on time, with gymnastics practice snack prepared and ready, when I picked up kids from school.

If you're wondering what the obsession is with the front porch, its because we actually use it now that we have a bus to catch.  And school was scary enough without the superhuman Arachnoids all up in our space.

Have a fab weekend.  I know my kids are already happy its Friday, and they've only been back to school a day.  What can I say, my kids love sleep.

Cheers!

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How to Never be Sold a Fake Mao Shan Wang 猫山王 Durian Again

There is no doubt that the Mao Shan Wang 猫山王 or Musang King is the most popular and also most prized of all durians now. (The Mao Shan Wang is named after Gua Musang town, the main fruit trading centre in Kelantan, Malaysia. The cultivar is originally from the town of Tanah Merah, also in Kelantan.)



The texture of thick Mao Shan Wang flesh is rich and creamy like toasted marshmallow. On the palate Mao Shan Wang flesh tastes slightly bitter with sweet notes. On the nose, its aroma is sweet and mildly pungent without being overpowering.



The Mao Shan Wang seed is flat and quite small.



Sometimes the waxy seed peeks out from folds in the slightly glowing yellow flesh. As you can see, the Mao Shan Wang flesh literary undrapes itself from the waxy seed.

While there is no question about the Mao Shan Wang's allure, identifying the real McCoy may sometimes be challenging.

This post aims to help us avoid fake Mao Shan Wang durians. Unfortunately, there is no 100% foolproof method against being sold a fake. We can, however, substantially improve our chances by learning more about the Mao Shan Wang.

Only the external identifying features are listed here as most durians are sold on an "once opened considered sold" basis unless it is obviously rotten or unripe.

To identify a real Mao Shan Wang, check that it has all the following five external features together. Other cultivars may have some but not all five features altogether.

Look out for these five external features in a single durian:



Mao Shan Wang thorns are like small pyramids with flat angular sides unlike some other durians with conical thorns.



The thorns converge at the base of the stem forming a ring around it.





The Mao Shan Wang is mostly oval shaped like an egg or sometimes even a pear. Rarely, it is round like a bowling ball.



There is a characteristic brownish 5-arm "starfish" at the base of the Mao Shan Wang. The thin, longish arms warp the base of the durian and run up to the middle of the shell as if it is trying to hold it together tightly.



The "body" of the "starfish" is brownish in colour, flat and bald. It is not pointy or bulging and the thorns do not gather or converge here. In the Mao Shan Wang, the thorns at the base are parted away from the "bald patch".



Before asking the durian seller to open the durian, look out for these five external features in a single durian.

With these five external identifying features, hopefully we never have to suffer another fake Mao Shan Wang again :)

Note: Learning about durians is like a journey - we become wiser as we taste and experience more. So, this post will be updated from time to time, as I explore more and hopefully understand durians better.)



(Acknowledgement: My durian teacher is Tommy Lim of Prickly Sensations. A banker by profession, Tommy's depth of durian knowledge is simply amazing. Responsibility for any error in this post is, of course, wholly mine.)

Editions: 22 Aug 2013, 3 Sep 2013

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My Award Winning Back to School Video

This time, I really outdid myself. 

Please, enjoy.  I am no movie maker, but I was pretty proud of this one.

For the record, this house is almost too quiet.  Almost.

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Todak Seafood Restaurant in Johor Bahru

We went back to Todak seafood restaurant yesterday at lunch. Our intention was to pig out on the RM38 per kilo crabs we had during our previous visit. We were going to try the crabs in every cooking style - a degustation, as they say in foodie circles.



We were early and sat looking at this overhead menu board drooling at the thought of the impending crab fest.

Unfortunately, the RM38 crabs were already sold out the night before :( The next "cheapest" available crabs were the RM50 per kilo variety.

We had a quick discussion and we decided that we shall just try a few other dishes at Todak, and then proceed to the other restaurants in the same Teluk Jawa area for our crab feast.

The change of plans turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we stumbled upon some really good dishes in Todak.



This "Japanese Snail" turned out to be a crowd favourite.





The main draw of this "Japanese Snail" is it's unique texture. It is chewy and springy like a kind of natural poppy "bubble tea balls" except that it has even better mouth feel.



The "Japanese Snails" were well excuted in savoury slightly spicy sauce - all the snail's natural sweetness and unique texture were preserved for our enjoyment. This is great!





The live "Japanese Snails" before they were sent to the wok.



We asked for drunken prawns which is one of the best ways to eat fresh prawns.



We asked, "What is the size of the prawns?" The answer - "There is no fixed size, it depends on what the net catches." At Todak, they literary scoop the live prawns out from the holding nets in the sea.



True enough, the prawns were a mix of big and average, but the majority were quite huge. We were very pleased indeed.







The meaty fresh prawns cooked in drinkable herbal broth were sweet and firm.



We ordered a serving of the humble but very popular mussels.



Savoury and sweet like the "Japanese Snails" but with a softer mouthfeel, lovely in its own way.







A lot of effort and resources are devoted to keep the mussels alive and to purge it of sand. The mussels at Todak are very well cleaned. There was no trace of sand at all.



The "Kong Kong", a local sea snail which we shall try on another visit :)



As we were about to leave, we were presented this cut fresh fruit platter. We had this at our previous visit and every table was presented one. But, still we were pleasantly surprised as we ordered very few dishes this round. Thumbs up for service.



Our bill for three of us.

Even though we were initially disappointed that we could not have our much anticipated crab feast, we left Todak pleased with the alternatives we had. 

Epilogue: After our enjoyable meal at Todak we drove to all the other restaurants in the same area. Most were closed for lunch and the next "cheapest" crabs were at RM70 per kilo.

So, we left the area and went somewhere else to fill out our half full stomachs. We had roasted duck but unfortunately, we all agreed the duck was not blog worthy.... :(  oh well, some hits and some misses... that's life... eat on :)



Restaurant name: Restoran Todak
Address: 1, Kampung Orang Asli, Telok Jawa, Masai, Johor Baru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/ZPLpx
GPS: 1.477014,103.844640
Hours: 11:30am to 11:30pm
Parking: In vacant plot in front of restaurant. Parking can be very tight during peak hours.
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert

Date visited: 3 Aug 2013, 15 Aug 2013

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