Sunday, May 31, 2009
My son LOVES reading!
I am so happy my son loves me reading to him as I am a book-worm myself. Since I am a stay at home mom, I have all the time to read to him whenever he wants. And trust me, when he wants to read a book, he will let it be known! It is so cute how he will go to his pile of books and pick out the ones he want to hear. He is very specific too! If I pick a book he doesn't want to read at that time, he will say "NO! DONE!" until I get the "right" book! Below is a couple of his favorite ones right now! He has many more he loves, but these are his "top picks" right now.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Ultra-Nesting
So I was in major cleaning mode yesterday. I cleaned every inch of the bathroom with vinegar and feel great! You would think being this pregnant the smell would make me sick, but it didn't bother me at all!
I will admit, I used a tiny bit of bleach and hot water to clean the floor and the smell from that small amount was horrible! So I know our pregnant bodies really do warn us about smells and dangers!
Later today my husband will paint and then I'll find another chore for him. Lol. While I have this energy I may as well utilize it! The bedroom needs a full cleaning too.
I do need to take it easy though because with my last pregnancy I was moving furniture around and I think it made me go into labor early! My son was born at 37 weeks. I will be 37 weeks this monday, so I will do what I can, but no heavy lifting!
I will admit, I used a tiny bit of bleach and hot water to clean the floor and the smell from that small amount was horrible! So I know our pregnant bodies really do warn us about smells and dangers!
Later today my husband will paint and then I'll find another chore for him. Lol. While I have this energy I may as well utilize it! The bedroom needs a full cleaning too.
I do need to take it easy though because with my last pregnancy I was moving furniture around and I think it made me go into labor early! My son was born at 37 weeks. I will be 37 weeks this monday, so I will do what I can, but no heavy lifting!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
PBS Show "Blueprint America"
BLUEPRINT AMERICA
Road to the Future
Over the next 40 years, America’s population will grow by more than an estimated 130 million people - most will settle in or near the country’s major population centers. At the same time, an unprecedented multi-billion dollar public works investment has just been made by the federal government to rebuild both the weakened economy and stressed national infrastructure. And, Congress is about to consider a transportation bill that will determine the course of the nation’s highways and transit for years to come.
On May 20th, Blueprint America: Road to the Future, an original documentary part of a PBS multi-platform series on the country’s aging and changing infrastructure, examines the choices we can make as the country invests in its infrastructure, and how they can affect the way we live.
Host and veteran correspondent Miles O’Brien goes to three very different American cities - Denver, New York and Portland, and their surrounding suburbs - to look at each as a microcosm of the challenges and possibilities the country faces as citizens, local and federal officials, and planners struggle to manage a growing America with innovative transportation and sustainable land use policies.
With roads clogged and congested, gas prices uncertain, smog and pollution creating health problems like asthma, cities that once built infrastructure to serve only automobiles and trucks are now looking to innovative new forms of transportation systems - like trolleys, light rail, pedestrian walkways and bike paths.
Whether it is talking to residents pushing sustainable development in the Bronx, smart growth in Denver, or a journalist in Portland whose beat is bicycling, Blueprint America finds a common theme: America’s love affair with the car may be a thing of the past.
Watch May 20th, at 8pm EDT on PBS
www.pbs.org
My Review:
Very good documentary showing the early starts of mass transit and the production of the highway infrastructure in this country. Basically this country is ruled by the car, and our lives revolve around our roadway system which is completely congested now. This documentary shows 3 different areas; Denver, Portland and NYC and their transit systems.
It also shows the problem of urban sprawl and how large metropolitan areas are literally absorbing small towns and becoming one large roadway system.
It was refreshing to see cities like Portland having more transportation systems than most other cities in the US. They have many bike paths integrated on streets, public transportation like the Streetcar which is on a comeback and even a tram.
Places like Denver are just one big transit mess. I can relate to that because it is like that in Central Florida. Roads are completely clogged and public transportation is laughable. Most places (depending where you are) still don't even have sidewalks.
It was a real eye-opener to the transportation system in this country. Hopefully more people will accept that in instances like this, change is good. We need to totally revamp our system and become less dependant on our cars and have more earth friendly travel means available.
Road to the Future
Over the next 40 years, America’s population will grow by more than an estimated 130 million people - most will settle in or near the country’s major population centers. At the same time, an unprecedented multi-billion dollar public works investment has just been made by the federal government to rebuild both the weakened economy and stressed national infrastructure. And, Congress is about to consider a transportation bill that will determine the course of the nation’s highways and transit for years to come.
On May 20th, Blueprint America: Road to the Future, an original documentary part of a PBS multi-platform series on the country’s aging and changing infrastructure, examines the choices we can make as the country invests in its infrastructure, and how they can affect the way we live.
Host and veteran correspondent Miles O’Brien goes to three very different American cities - Denver, New York and Portland, and their surrounding suburbs - to look at each as a microcosm of the challenges and possibilities the country faces as citizens, local and federal officials, and planners struggle to manage a growing America with innovative transportation and sustainable land use policies.
With roads clogged and congested, gas prices uncertain, smog and pollution creating health problems like asthma, cities that once built infrastructure to serve only automobiles and trucks are now looking to innovative new forms of transportation systems - like trolleys, light rail, pedestrian walkways and bike paths.
Whether it is talking to residents pushing sustainable development in the Bronx, smart growth in Denver, or a journalist in Portland whose beat is bicycling, Blueprint America finds a common theme: America’s love affair with the car may be a thing of the past.
Watch May 20th, at 8pm EDT on PBS
www.pbs.org
My Review:
Very good documentary showing the early starts of mass transit and the production of the highway infrastructure in this country. Basically this country is ruled by the car, and our lives revolve around our roadway system which is completely congested now. This documentary shows 3 different areas; Denver, Portland and NYC and their transit systems.
It also shows the problem of urban sprawl and how large metropolitan areas are literally absorbing small towns and becoming one large roadway system.
It was refreshing to see cities like Portland having more transportation systems than most other cities in the US. They have many bike paths integrated on streets, public transportation like the Streetcar which is on a comeback and even a tram.
Places like Denver are just one big transit mess. I can relate to that because it is like that in Central Florida. Roads are completely clogged and public transportation is laughable. Most places (depending where you are) still don't even have sidewalks.
It was a real eye-opener to the transportation system in this country. Hopefully more people will accept that in instances like this, change is good. We need to totally revamp our system and become less dependant on our cars and have more earth friendly travel means available.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Mexican Rice Soup
I originally got this recipe from Vegetarian Times, but I actually changed a few things around to add my own bit of flavor to it. It is so delicious and healthy and I could eat it everyday!
What you need:
For Soup Base
A few tablespoons of Olive Oil (Extra Virgin is the best)
Half red onion chopped
4-5 cloves of garlic
Fresh mint, cilantro, oregano and basil (use as much as you want)
1/4 cup chives chopped
For Soup
1 cup of brown rice
1 3/4 cup of corn
1-2 tomatoes chopped
1 box of vegetable broth (organic is best!)
3 cups of water
For Garnish on top of Soup
1 avocado chopped into cubes
1/4 cup shredded cheese
1/4 cup diced onions
A few sprigs of cilantro chopped
2 limes or lemons
2-3 soft wheat tortillas
Directions:
1. Heat up olive oil
2. Saute onions and garlic
3. Add fresh herbs and chives
4. Add vegetable broth and water
5. Let simmer for 10 minutes
6. Add all of cooked brown rice
7. Add corn and tomatoes
8. Let simmer for 10 minutes
9. Heat up oven to 350 and put tortillas (slice into vertical pieces) on pan (spray pan with non-stick spray)
10. Leave tortillas in for 6 minutes
11. Cut up avocado, lime or lemon into wedges, chop cilantro and onions, get cheese and put them into little serving dishes
Put soup in bowl and add toppings of avocado, cheese, squeezed lime, cilantro and onions. Mix into soup. Use salt and pepper to taste. Take tortilla strips and use them to dip into soup.
Enjoy!
YUM!
If you try this recipe, let me know what you think!
What you need:
For Soup Base
A few tablespoons of Olive Oil (Extra Virgin is the best)
Half red onion chopped
4-5 cloves of garlic
Fresh mint, cilantro, oregano and basil (use as much as you want)
1/4 cup chives chopped
For Soup
1 cup of brown rice
1 3/4 cup of corn
1-2 tomatoes chopped
1 box of vegetable broth (organic is best!)
3 cups of water
For Garnish on top of Soup
1 avocado chopped into cubes
1/4 cup shredded cheese
1/4 cup diced onions
A few sprigs of cilantro chopped
2 limes or lemons
2-3 soft wheat tortillas
Directions:
1. Heat up olive oil
2. Saute onions and garlic
3. Add fresh herbs and chives
4. Add vegetable broth and water
5. Let simmer for 10 minutes
6. Add all of cooked brown rice
7. Add corn and tomatoes
8. Let simmer for 10 minutes
9. Heat up oven to 350 and put tortillas (slice into vertical pieces) on pan (spray pan with non-stick spray)
10. Leave tortillas in for 6 minutes
11. Cut up avocado, lime or lemon into wedges, chop cilantro and onions, get cheese and put them into little serving dishes
Put soup in bowl and add toppings of avocado, cheese, squeezed lime, cilantro and onions. Mix into soup. Use salt and pepper to taste. Take tortilla strips and use them to dip into soup.
Enjoy!
YUM!
If you try this recipe, let me know what you think!
Gear Up For Summer Block Party Giveaway! Day 1: Skitter Toys!
Gear Up For Summer Block Party Giveaway! Day 1: Skitter Toys!
Aloha and welcome to the ‘Gear Up For Summer’ Block Party! It’s a week filled with fantastic prizes for Summer time, offered by some fantastic blogs!! Each day during this week (May 18th-22nd) two of the blogs will be announcing their prize. I’ll be positing about each one every day this week, so be sure to check back and then head on over to check out some great companies and win!
WIN A Skitter Toy on The Ohana Mama!
http://theohanamama.com/
One lucky Ohana Mama reader will win a Skitter Toy in the color of their choice for their child (ages 2+)
A little bit about Skitter Toys…
* Skitter™ runs on pure kid power. Swivel the steering wheel back and forth and it skates along like magic on any smooth level surface. It can go forward or backward and make tight corner turns too.
* Skitter has received the “Best Smart Toy and Product of Excellence” by renowned toy and play expert, Dr. ToyAn
* Comes assembled
* Offers hours of fun for the kids while using all their energy.
http://www.skittertoys.com/
http://theohanamama.com/
Aloha and welcome to the ‘Gear Up For Summer’ Block Party! It’s a week filled with fantastic prizes for Summer time, offered by some fantastic blogs!! Each day during this week (May 18th-22nd) two of the blogs will be announcing their prize. I’ll be positing about each one every day this week, so be sure to check back and then head on over to check out some great companies and win!
WIN A Skitter Toy on The Ohana Mama!
http://theohanamama.com/
One lucky Ohana Mama reader will win a Skitter Toy in the color of their choice for their child (ages 2+)
A little bit about Skitter Toys…
* Skitter™ runs on pure kid power. Swivel the steering wheel back and forth and it skates along like magic on any smooth level surface. It can go forward or backward and make tight corner turns too.
* Skitter has received the “Best Smart Toy and Product of Excellence” by renowned toy and play expert, Dr. ToyAn
* Comes assembled
* Offers hours of fun for the kids while using all their energy.
http://www.skittertoys.com/
http://theohanamama.com/
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Free Clothes Dryer
I love hanging my clothes outside to dry. It saves so much energy and the clothes are always fresh smelling. If you put them out to dry early enough, they will dry in no time in the hot Florida sun!
Also, if you have clothes that are stained, the sun will actually bleach them.
My son loves to help me hang the clothes. He stands by the basket and hands me each piece of clothing.
Sometimes ants do crawl on the clothesline and the clothes, but I have noticed lately that dragon flies will now sit perched on the clothes pins themselves and eat any insects on my clothes!
Thank you dragon flies and thank you Sun for helping me out!
Also, if you have clothes that are stained, the sun will actually bleach them.
My son loves to help me hang the clothes. He stands by the basket and hands me each piece of clothing.
Sometimes ants do crawl on the clothesline and the clothes, but I have noticed lately that dragon flies will now sit perched on the clothes pins themselves and eat any insects on my clothes!
Thank you dragon flies and thank you Sun for helping me out!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Green Mommy
So with the birth of my daughter on the way, I have continued to be as earth friendly as possible. I have been using all natural personal body care products like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, lotion etc.
I also use these products on my son. I cannot picture using anything else!
I finally made the transition of living a "Green" lifestyle a few years ago and will never go back!
I have also been trying to eat as good as my budget will allow me to! Organic and natural foods as much as possible. We have started a little herb garden and every time I cook, I now use our homegrown Basil, Oregano, Cilantro and Mint. It adds such flavor and depth to foods! There is also some Tomatoes and Green Pepper growing too.
I cannot wait to harvest them. I also have some Orange and Avocado seeds which I am planning to germinate and even though I have never grown any trees before, I am really exited about the fruits those will bear!
I also use these products on my son. I cannot picture using anything else!
I finally made the transition of living a "Green" lifestyle a few years ago and will never go back!
I have also been trying to eat as good as my budget will allow me to! Organic and natural foods as much as possible. We have started a little herb garden and every time I cook, I now use our homegrown Basil, Oregano, Cilantro and Mint. It adds such flavor and depth to foods! There is also some Tomatoes and Green Pepper growing too.
I cannot wait to harvest them. I also have some Orange and Avocado seeds which I am planning to germinate and even though I have never grown any trees before, I am really exited about the fruits those will bear!
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