Getting excited...

     One of the best things about keeping this blog (besides you wonderful readers) is being able to look back and see how I am doing.  I have found that I am a very cyclical person.  What I mean is, I get an idea in my head and go at it full force for a while then peter off then find some sort of catalyst that sparks the fire again and start all over.  Getting my butt back in the kitchen seems to be doing it again!  The old saucepan catalyst!  I have to say, as far as my kitchen adventures go, I am quite proud of my dinner creation last night.  Last night I decided (for the hubs and myself) to attempt homemade chicken fingers.  This may not seem like much, but you have to remember who you are dealing with here.  I was about to attempt

1. Making chicken fingers from scratch
2. Keeping the calories in check
3. Impressing my should-be chef of a husband

boneless, skinless chicken breasts...egg wash...and garlic/salt/pepper panko

     I assembled my ingredients, and with the "supervision" of my little helper we set to it.  I have to admit...I have never dredged anything.  I like the word, it sounds funny...but the actual action of dredging is one I had not yet tried.  I did have enough "know-how" to buy panko when shopping to offer a slightly healthier version of the breadcrumb, and added some kosher salt, black pepper and garlic powder.  I sliced the chicken into strips and dipped in the egg wash, rolled in pancko and placed on my cooking sheet.  My little one offered much encouragement from her step stool and was very excited about being in charge of the veggies!  I did cop out a bit with the kiddos and made them Tyson chicken nuggets, but I was worried if the strips didnt' turn out well...at least the kids should be able to eat; plus they are dinosaur shaped...so fun!
     Sadly, this is the only picture I have of my creation.  Dinner smelled so good cooking, that everyone was actually at the table waiting for me to give them their plates.  The final product was the chicken strips, mixed veggies and applesauce (can't WAIT to hit the orchard so I can make homemade...that is something I HAVE done and am quite good at if I do say so myself).  The dinner was a huge hit.  My husband even commented on it again later saying how good it was.  I could get used to this.

     My renewed energy in the kitchen is reminding me that I can do many things.  I am (as I can only hope you are too) a Pinterest junkie.  I have been finding some great recipes on there as well as from you and from surfing the web.  I have also started to mark more and more things off what I call my "Mission Accomplished" board.  The board of fun things I find on Pinterest and actually DO!  Most recently I took the message center idea (which has gained a great deal of popularity it seems) and did my own version for our kitchen. 

Not only is this a great way to keep the whole family organized with special events highlighted, but it's my own version.  It gets me using my cricut even more, and is a fun way to add more decor to my home.  It's not even September yet and I have that ready to go...and while it is waiting to be hung on the wall, I have already started planning out my October board.  BOO! 
     I have also started to find a LOAD of craft ideas that I can eassily make for gifts for people.  I too am feeling the crunch of the economy, especially with two growing kiddos, so homemade gifts are l\ooking like the perfect answer to the upcoming holidays.  The ones I am finding and really liking are things that are inexpensive to make, plus you get the added bonus of telling someone you made their gift and that to me makes it more special.  I have also decided (early enough this year) that I will be knitting some gifts.  I have wanted to do this the past few years, but don't think about it until mid-November usually.  Even with my fun little knifty knitters, I need more time than that. 
     If you are a Pinterest fan, check out my boards and share some of your own.  Happy Tuesday!

Inspiration

     Well...I was so inspired to start this post and found a wonderful picture to use and sadly can't get the picture to post.  AHHHH!  Okay, stress released...on to the good stuff!  The past week I feel as though I keep getting signs from the universe that make me feel like good things are on the horizon.  Which in turn is inspiring me.  What signs you ask, well aren't you a curious one :)

• My foot had a serious break-through this week.  I was working on it (just basic bending and stretching) and it cracked.  Not a bad crack, but one of those knuckle cracking type of cracks and all of a sudden I had so much more mobility.  I think the walking everyday is helping.
• My little one has been doing a great job on the potty!  During the day she and my husband have their routine with the pull ups, because they are out and about all the time.  When Momma gets home though she knows it's big girl time.  We put on our big girl undies and go for it until bed time.  She has been doing GREAT!  I even took her for a quick trip to the grocery store in her big girl panties and she was a champ.  I'm hoping this weekend that we can do a long stretch on either Saturday or Sunday (or maybe even both) in our big girl undies and then (fingers crossed) we will be well on our way to being potty trained.
• My oldest made the top team in a higher division for soccer (got the official word last night), and was also moved up on her premier team.
• I have gotten my butt back into the kitchen and am having what I conswider to be great success!  Two nights ago I made low cal stuffed peppers.  I used ground turkey, cilantro, long grain brown rice, salsa, taco seasonings, onion and garlic.  Very yummy and good for us!  I also made ham and cheese crescent rolls for the little one.  Then last night my wee helper and I made two homemade pizzas.  One plain cheese on a traditional dough and one veggies and pepperoni on a wheat crust!  Sadly no pictures..but mostly because it was all so yummy we just ate it all up!
• I have discovered a way to clear my clutter and make a few bucks at the same time without the headache of a garage sale.  I have finally delved into Craigs list.  I listed seven items, had hits on six already, and one has already sold.  It's nice because I can help stop the impending "Hoarders" casting call that I feel like my house could become with all of the toys and the gadgets and the craziness.  The item I sold was my big ticket item too, which makes it an extra bonus!! 
• Finally, today is my Friday (a day early for those of you who read this post on a non-Thursday).  Granted I worked extra hours Monday-today, but now I get a whole day off for girl stuff since Dadoo has to work.  Tomorrow is BFF day.  A day that has been far too long in trying to set up.  My big girl is away for the week, so my little one and I are off to see our BFF's.  My bestie who I have been friends with since third grade and I both have girls within 5 months of each other (plus she has an older one who is not too much older and still enjoys the lil ones).

With all those good vibes being pushed at me, I have to admit...I feel renewed in my overall goals!  I feel like I need to push myself more with my workouts and my recovery.  I need to try more exotic recipes and foods.  I need my kiddos to see a vibrant and healthy mom who can not only keep up with them, but maybe even pass them on occassion!  Time to get busy!