All Better Now

After a week of passing illness back and forth, I can happily report that we are all better now!  Woo Hoo!  We are back on track and slowly incorporating our regular routine back into life.  I didn't realize how dirty the house gets or how few groceries there are when the whole house gets sick at once.  I can also report that the house is mostly clean and Sam's Club has gotten a visit so we should be good for a while. ☺ Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers.  I will pray that none of your houses are afflicted with that horrible sickness because it was pretty rough there for a while.

Our main entrée is a typical Monday lunch offering.  Left over pizza from the weekend.  We got some good old Sir Pizza to celebrate everyone's wellness.  Cold pizza can always put a smile on Molly's face.  (and her sister's too.  She actually prefers it cold....kids!)

Our vegetable side is a baby spinach salad with Trader Joe's Balsamic dressing on the side.  We figure that if we can indulge in pizza, our sides should be pretty healthy to balance it out.

Our fruit side is blackberries and blueberries.  Molly's Grammy purchased these before she left for a nice vacation to a warm destination.  We are enjoying them as much as Grammy is enjoying the sunshine!

Finally, our dairy/dessert is Dannon Light and Fit Vanilla Yogurt.  We buy this in large containers because everyone in our family really likes it.  Also, this yogurt can be used as a healthy alternative to oils when baking so it's nice to keep on hand.

Full Friday

This Friday is going to be a little hectic, actually this whole weekend is.  We have plans for just about every day. Tomorrow after school, Molly has ballet.  Then we will be headed to the High School for a basketball game that Molly and her BFF's (along with several other girls) will be able to cheer at as part of his past summer's Rah Rah Camp.  After that, we (the BFF's and their families) are going to go out for an ice cream or some sort of other snack.  Molly can't wait.  She actually went to bed early tonight so that she will be energized for tomorrow.  Saturday, we are going to see Mary Poppins on stage!  I'm REALLY excited about this one because Mary Poppins has always been a personal favorite.  After that, we will come home and cheer on our favorite Pittsburgh Steelers as they play in a playoff game.  HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!!

Our main entrée is a good old pb&j.  Molly requested this classic lunch staple.  We spread peanut butter and strawberry jam on whole wheat bread and then used a large flower cookie cutter and a small star cookie cutter to cut it.

Our vegetable side is a baby spinach salad.  We added a few shredded carrots for sweetness and crunch.  This is accompanied by Trader Joe's Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Our fruit side is a kiwi and some pomegranate seeds.  Both pretty and delicious.

Our dairy side is a string cheese stick.  This provides a little extra protein to round out our lunch.

Finally, our Fun Friday treat is two Aldi Milk Chocolate Covered Gingerbread Hearts.  Molly will be so excited to have this special yummy treat, and she truly deserves it. ☺

Hoping for a Snow Day!

Here in Western Pennsylvania, we get our fair share of snow and some of the icky weather that goes along with it.  Today, we (like most of the eastern part of the country) were the recipients of a decent amount of the fluffy white stuff.  How can something that is so beautiful and serene be the cause of so many issues?  I am fine with driving in the snow but when the ice comes, it goes from "I'm fine" to "keep me away from the road!"  Well, we got a pretty decent amount of snow. It stopped a little while ago but the wind is picking up and I am afraid of the ice that will more than likely develop.  So, here's hoping for a snow day tomorrow and that Molly will be sharing her lunch with her sister instead of sitting in the school cafeteria.

Our main entrée is a chicken salad.  Since everyone has been sick in our house, we picked up a special treat of Chick-fil-A for lunch.  Molly's little brother really likes it and he has been very sick and not eating much so we were hoping that he'd like it...and he did!  The left over chicken strips were cut into bite size pieces and added to a bed of baby spinach and lettuce.  We then added some shredded carrots for crunch.  This is all served with a side of light ranch dressing.

Our fruit side is strawberries.  Molly's Grammy bought these amazing strawberries for our family.  We have never had strawberries this sweet and bright in January.  They are truly a special treat.

Finally, our dairy/dessert is Dannon Light & Fit vanilla yogurt.  We added a few mini chocolate chips for extra flavor and texture.  What girl doesn't love a little chocolate now and then?

Same as the School Lunch

One of my secret weapons is looking at the school lunch menu.  What kid wants to eat cold peanut butter and jelly when everyone else is sitting there with a nice hot piece of pizza?  If there is something that Molly likes to eat and it's on the school lunch menu, I try to incorporate it into her lunch if possible.  For example, Molly's school is serving Papa John's pizza tomorrow and luckily for us, Molly's Grammy invited us for pizza dinner tonight and had left overs. ☺  Left over pizza is a HUGE favorite of Molly's so we are in luck.  The big difference between the school lunch and Molly's lunch is that we can control the portion size, add healthier sides and we know that she will eat the things that we serve but we aren't so sure about the school lunch.

Our main entrée is left over pepperoni pizza.  This is from our favorite pizza place near us, Sir Pizza. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's not the best crust, sauce or cheese but the combination of whatever it is that they use is just spot on.  Plus, the pepperoni is the best!

Our vegetable side is a plain baby spinach salad, by request.  This is served with Trader Joe's Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Our fruit side is kiwi and pomegranate.  This too is by request.  I purchased a big papaya from the store the other day and balled it up with a melon baller, but Molly wasn't interested in it.  Here's another tip, if they won't eat it, don't send it.  Try little bits at home and see if they change their mind, if not, it's not worth the headache.  Don't sweat the small stuff.

Finally, our dessert/dairy side is Dannon Light & Fit vanilla yogurt.  We added some fresh raspberries for flavor, texture and color.

Another Request!

Since Blogger wasn't working last night, I am going to blog about Molly's lunch a little late so it will be short. This whole lunch was by request.  It all stemmed from our mini ravioli dinner and blossomed from there.

Our main entrée is a pasta salad.  Trader Joe's sells these yummy little packages of deliciousness and calls them mini ravioli.  Our whole family really likes them, even the pickier eaters.  We made these dry pastas for dinner last night and used the left overs for Molly's lunch.  We added some light Italian dressing and small pieces of pepperoni for spice.

Our vegetable side is a baby spinach salad with cucumbers, shredded carrots and fennel.  We served some of the light Italian dressing on the side to compliment the pasta salad.

Our fruit side is a kiwi sliced into spears.  Just a little different than the normal round slices.

Finally our dairy/dessert side is Dannon Light & Fit Vanilla yogurt with fresh raspberries.

What about time?

Time, it's a funny thing.  This week seems to be dragging on forever.  Tomorrow is only Thursday when to me it seems more like Saturday.  But then again, I feel like the first day of school was just last week.  It seems like the months have flown by but then we reach this week and the brakes have been put on in a hurry.  Maybe it's because I have three young children that are beyond excited about Christmas and it seems like Christmas will never get here.  Maybe it's because I have all of my shopping done and all that I need to do is enjoy myself instead of running through the hustle and bustle of this time of year.  Or maybe it's because I'm looking forward to a "do nothing" weekend.  Our plans include cookie making, present wrapping and watching Christmas movies.  Regardless of how fast or slow time seems go be going, now it's time for lunch.

Our main entrée is an incredible combination sandwich.  We used the same Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bread that we used for yesterday's lunch, for our bread.  We then spread peanut butter and apple butter on the bread and sandwiched them together.  It's a great combination because the apple butter brings out the yummy spice flavors in the bread, then the peanut butter adds a great creamy flavor and texture.

Our vegetable and fruit sides are one in the same today.  We have a baby spinach salad with fresh raspberries.  This is served with Trader Joe's Balsamic Vinaigrette on the side.

Our dairy side is Dannon Light and Fit Strawberry Yogurt.  Molly requested this because she thought that it would go nicely with the sandwich.  If she makes a request, I try to honor it because then she will probably enjoy her lunch a little more.  

Finally, we have Daddy's Famous Pizzelles for dessert.  This is just one pizzelle but we broke it into pieces so that it doesn't crumble everywhere and then she can enjoy every little bit.

New and Interesting Foods

Yesterday, I lamented about how we didn't have very much in the fresh fruit or vegetable category in our house.  Well, we remedied that today.  Sam's Club has an incredible selection of fresh produce and we took full advantage of it.  I find it important to introduce new or different things to my kids.  Even if they don't like it at first or have not liked it in the past, we always try it again.  We have a two bite rule at our house.  If after two bites, they still don't like it, then they don't have to eat anymore of it.  This works pretty well for us, usually.  We'll see how the star fruit goes over in tomorrow's lunch.

Our main entrée is Castle Wood Honey Ham and Kraft 2% Cheddar Cheese.  We rolled up the ham and sliced it in half for a fun new twist.  Molly's Daddy was nice enough to chunk up the cheese and he did an excellent job!

Our veggie side is a baby spinach salad.  This will be a nice contrast the the salty and creamy flavors of the main entrée.

Our fruit side is a combination of kiwi, raspberries and star fruit.  The kiwi is sweet and tart at the same time.  The raspberries are incredibly flavorful.  And the star fruit, if you never tasted it, could be described as a cross between a green grape and a lime.  This combination is absolutely delicious!

Finally, the dessert is Mini Honey Teddy Grahams.  Molly really likes these.  They aren't too sweet and have a nice crunch.

Bittersweet Day

Tomorrow will be the last day for Molly's student teacher.  She is finished with her required fieldwork and will be able to teach on her own.  Molly is very sad and so is Miss Sizer, the student teacher.  Molly found a great friend and mentor in Miss Sizer and will really miss her.  It's bittersweet because we're sad that Miss Sizer is leaving but we are so happy for her because she is now starting a new and exciting chapter in her life.  Maybe someday, Molly or one of her siblings will have Miss Sizer for a teacher, but for now we will wish her the best and hopefully keep in touch via e-mail.  I'm sure that this will be a Fun Friday that Molly will never forget.

We will try to keep this sad day full of love by giving Molly some really special and fun things.

Our main entrée is cheese and crackers with pepperoni.  Molly really likes cheese and crackers, in fact she asks for it most every day for her after school snack.  The crackers are Keebler Town House Toppers.  These have a bit of a hollowed out top to them so that toppings fit better.  They are really tasty too.

Our vegetable side is a baby spinach salad with Trader Joe's Balsamic Vinaigrette on the side.  Another favorite of Molly's.

Our fruit side is mandarin oranges.  Molly, her sister and her brother would go through a can of these daily if we let them.

Our FUN Friday treat is Cafe Bistro Cookie and Wafer Mix from Aldi.  These incredible cookies only come out at Christmastime.  It is like a big bag of the best Pepperidge Farm cookies out there.  The chocolate is superb and all of the cookies almost melt in your mouth.  Molly truly deserves this awesome treat. ☺

ps - We just want to send out a GIGANTIC THANK YOU to Miss Sizer for being such a great student teacher!

Hello December!

Tomorrow is December 1st.  Where did November go?  Weren't we just putting on our Halloween costumes and trick or treating?  Our family is going to do our best to slow down a little and enjoy the splendor of the Christmas season.  Yes, we have a lot of things planned but we are making sure that we don't forget why we celebrate.  Simple things like lighting the Advent wreath candles and reading the bible verses every night or playing with our Fisher Price Nativity keep our minds and hearts focused on the miracle that is Jesus Christ.

There won't be quite as many lunches to pack in this month so we are going to try to make them as fun and tasty as possible.  Molly sure does deserve it.  She will definitely be on Santa's nice list.

Our main entrée is a fun pasta salad.  Molly has been asking for pasta salad for the past two days and we finally had time to make it tonight.  It's made with Trader Joe's Vegetable Radiatore Pasta, black olives, pepperoni, chunks of string cheese and light Italian dressing.

Our veggie side is a baby spinach salad with light Italian dressing.  We decided to forgo the regular balsamic dressing and match up the Italian dressing with the pasta salad.

Our fruit side is Southern Grove dried Fuji Apples from Aldi.  They are dried apples with a little bit of cinnamon sugar on them.  They are kind of like dessert and all of our kids really like them.

Our dessert is a few graham crackers.  Just a little something sweet but still healthy.

I Almost Forgot!

Short post tonight because I almost forgot to make Molly's lunch.  I'm no longer up for the Mother of the Year Award.  hahaha!  After an incredible and delicious Thanksgiving, black Friday shopping, trimming the tree, decorating the house and wrapping presents, Molly's lunch was the last thing on my mind.  I was kind of hoping that this holiday would continue through tomorrow.  Guess not, so on to lunch.

Our main entrée is cold pepperoni pizza.  We have a tradition to have pizza in one of the days following Thanksgiving because eventually, the turkey does run out.  This is left over from our dinner tonight.

Our veggie side is a baby spinach salad with Trader Joe's Balsamic Vinaigrette on the side.  Molly really likes these salads lately and we are happy to help her get her leafy greens in.

Our fruit side is a Gala apple that has been cut into large slices.  This apple isn't as sweet or tart as some of our other favorites but it's still a tasty and juicy fruit.

Finally, for dessert we have a chocolate chip granola bar.  This is not one of our usual staples but we wanted to make sure that Molly had a filling lunch and the granola bar is chock full of oats so it will solve that issue in a hurry.

Hope everyone had a nice break.  Back to the daily grind and getting ready for the next holiday!