A few days ago, my friend Andrea posted a recipe for granola bars. They sounded so good, I tried them out that same day, and I've made them every day since!!
Here's the recipe she posted:
2 1/2 c. Old Fashioned or Quick Oats
1/2 c. Rice Krispy Cereal
1/2 c. mini chocolate chips
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/3 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. coconut
1/4 c. honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
Mix all ingredients together. Stir until well combined. I used my hands to get it thoroughly mixed. Press into a 9x13 pan. (For thicker bars use a 8x8 pan.) Using the bottom of a flat metal measuring cup, gently press down to flatten and evenly smooth out the mixture. Bake at 350° for 18-20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and score into bars. Once completely cool cut into bars.
I cut mine into four rows of five since they will be served to little hands, but if you want to make these regular granola bar size you can cut them into three rows of five. Make sense?
For variety try adding:
Raisins
Marshmallows
Mini M&Ms
Dried fruit
recipe from Amy at Serving Pink Lemonade
So, her son is allergic to nuts and eggs. Since we're not, I decided to change up the recipe a bit.
2 cups of oats
1/2 cup (maybe more) of plain Joe's O's (Cheerio's)
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup of natural peanut butter
1/4 cup of honey
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
The directions stay the same
They're a little crumbly, but they taste so good! I love how quick and easy it is to make.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Insanity Hiatus
Well, my knee is still really giving me problems. So I think it's best to take a break from Insanity until it gets better.
You have no idea how disappointed I am right now. I don't really have the best track record for following through with things, but this time, I was really doing it, and was really dedicated. So, it's sucks that something like this is forcing me to stop.
I'm going to keep up the diet - well, maybe not eating 5 times a day, but at least just the healthy aspect of the diet - and maybe just do ab and arm exercises on my own for now.
You have no idea how disappointed I am right now. I don't really have the best track record for following through with things, but this time, I was really doing it, and was really dedicated. So, it's sucks that something like this is forcing me to stop.
I'm going to keep up the diet - well, maybe not eating 5 times a day, but at least just the healthy aspect of the diet - and maybe just do ab and arm exercises on my own for now.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Insanity - Day 17
Well, what can I say...I think I'm falling apart. My right knee still hurts and is swollen, my right ankle hurts, and my achilles tendons are tight. Because of the shape of my knee today, I only did the Cardio Abs workout, instead of doing that with the Pure Cardio. Even on the Cardio Abs, I couldn't do all the exercises, if it involved my knee too much. Don't worry, though, I can still feel the burn in my abs.
More craftiness
Right around the new year, we got this great table and chairs set from Ikea. I had seen an idea online about covering the fiberboard table top and chair tops in oilcloth. So today, I found some cute oilcloth, and while the girls were taking their naps, I put it all together. I'm really happy with how it all turned out!
By the way, those crayons on the table...the twistables...those are the best crayons ever. No more pieces of crayon paper laying around, no more broken crayons. I love them.
By the way, those crayons on the table...the twistables...those are the best crayons ever. No more pieces of crayon paper laying around, no more broken crayons. I love them.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Insanity - Day 16
I just finished Day 16. I'm tired. I don't know what else to say...
Except that my knee had been hurting me all day today, but I was so busy with stuff, I didn't really think to look at it. Then right before I did my workout, I saw that it was a little swollen. Grant suggested that I just do the ab workout alone today, but I decided to try the workout that was on the schedule, and see if my knee bothered me. It really didn't, so I just went ahead with it. It only bothered me on the switch kicks, so I did more mountain climbers in place of those.
Except that my knee had been hurting me all day today, but I was so busy with stuff, I didn't really think to look at it. Then right before I did my workout, I saw that it was a little swollen. Grant suggested that I just do the ab workout alone today, but I decided to try the workout that was on the schedule, and see if my knee bothered me. It really didn't, so I just went ahead with it. It only bothered me on the switch kicks, so I did more mountain climbers in place of those.
Crafts Revisited
Last week, I mentioned that I had a lot of crafts going on at the same time. Well, I finally finished them all! Here's a picture of the things I made for my friend, who just had her first baby. Her last name is Fox, so they're going with that theme for the nursery in greens and browns. And it matches my blog layout!
And here's just some attempted-artsy pictures of the same things.
So, that's 2 burp cloths, a little blanket, and a painted canvas with a vinyl rub-on of a fox.
The pictures for the other crafty things are coming. Those are for Kendall's new big girl bedroom, and the room is not completely done yet. So I'll post pictures of the room as a whole. Stay tuned...
And here's just some attempted-artsy pictures of the same things.
So, that's 2 burp cloths, a little blanket, and a painted canvas with a vinyl rub-on of a fox.
The pictures for the other crafty things are coming. Those are for Kendall's new big girl bedroom, and the room is not completely done yet. So I'll post pictures of the room as a whole. Stay tuned...
Monday, February 22, 2010
Insanity - Day 15
Today was the Fit Test, which is what you do on the very first day of INSANITY. You do this every couple of weeks to see how you're progressing. So here's my results for the first fit test and the second one:
So, I've definitely made progress...it was cool to see how much. The next fit test is on Day 36, and I'm guessing I'll see quite a bit more.
So, I've definitely made progress...it was cool to see how much. The next fit test is on Day 36, and I'm guessing I'll see quite a bit more.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Insanity - Day 13
I can't believe I've made it through two weeks of this stuff! I'm pretty proud of myself.
Today was tough. It was one of the harder workouts (Pure Cardio) AND an additional workout (Cardio Abs). All in all, it was just about an hour of working out. I took a few minutes in between to rest a bit, but it was hard.
Grant did the workout with me today - both of them. He knew how hard it was by just watching me all those other times, but he got to feel it this time. Kendall also did a little with us, too. And Cami did some yoga poses at the end. It was a real family event.
To completely change the subject, some or most of you have already heard about this, but my brother was in a pretty serious motorcycle accident earlier today. With a lot of recovery, he's going to be fine, but we thought at first he broke his back. Turns out he has two compressed fractures, and both of his arms and hands are broken.
The way I understand it, he was doing his weekly ride with his motorcycle/dirtbike buddies. They were on some trails that they've done plenty of times before, so they were familiar with it. Apparently, a tree had fallen and was kind of covered. Tony wasn't able to avoid it in time. He was knocked out and woke up either in the ambulance or the emergency room, I'm not sure which one.
Anyways, he's much better off than he could've been. I was even able to talk to him, and Grant's dad got a little video of Tony talking and giving the thumbs up. I was really glad I could talk to him, and really glad to see him on the video. He won't need surgery on his back, but he will have surgery on his arms/hands, in fact, he might be in surgery right now. The doctor said he should be out of the hospital in a couple of days.
I appreciate everyone's prayers, and please keep them coming.
Today was tough. It was one of the harder workouts (Pure Cardio) AND an additional workout (Cardio Abs). All in all, it was just about an hour of working out. I took a few minutes in between to rest a bit, but it was hard.
Grant did the workout with me today - both of them. He knew how hard it was by just watching me all those other times, but he got to feel it this time. Kendall also did a little with us, too. And Cami did some yoga poses at the end. It was a real family event.
To completely change the subject, some or most of you have already heard about this, but my brother was in a pretty serious motorcycle accident earlier today. With a lot of recovery, he's going to be fine, but we thought at first he broke his back. Turns out he has two compressed fractures, and both of his arms and hands are broken.
The way I understand it, he was doing his weekly ride with his motorcycle/dirtbike buddies. They were on some trails that they've done plenty of times before, so they were familiar with it. Apparently, a tree had fallen and was kind of covered. Tony wasn't able to avoid it in time. He was knocked out and woke up either in the ambulance or the emergency room, I'm not sure which one.
Anyways, he's much better off than he could've been. I was even able to talk to him, and Grant's dad got a little video of Tony talking and giving the thumbs up. I was really glad I could talk to him, and really glad to see him on the video. He won't need surgery on his back, but he will have surgery on his arms/hands, in fact, he might be in surgery right now. The doctor said he should be out of the hospital in a couple of days.
I appreciate everyone's prayers, and please keep them coming.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Insanity - Day 12
This is the workout I hate. It's the one that drove me to tears on Day 3. I may not cry anymore - now I just scream curses at the screen. Even Shaun T. says it's "insane" after it's all over.
I'm able to do push-ups better, which is a good thing. And I kept up better on the power squats this time. A power squat is when you jump up and land in a squat. But seriously, I hate this one.
I'm able to do push-ups better, which is a good thing. And I kept up better on the power squats this time. A power squat is when you jump up and land in a squat. But seriously, I hate this one.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Insanity - Day 11
I heart Thursdays. That's the recovery day. It's kind of like yoga moves, but it's still a workout. I still can't do all of it, because some of it is holding squats for an "insane" amount of time, and then after holding it, you pulse while still in the squat position. That's hard for me to do.
But, as I stepped out of position to take a break, I was shaking out my legs, and I realized, there's a little less jiggly in my legs! So yay for improvement!! I walked over to Grant to show him...I hit my quads, and it didn't really jiggle. So that's very encouraging to me, because I haven't really seen any difference on the scale, or in how my jeans fit. But it is working!
But, as I stepped out of position to take a break, I was shaking out my legs, and I realized, there's a little less jiggly in my legs! So yay for improvement!! I walked over to Grant to show him...I hit my quads, and it didn't really jiggle. So that's very encouraging to me, because I haven't really seen any difference on the scale, or in how my jeans fit. But it is working!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Insanity - Day 10
I officialy HATE Shaun T. - the Insanity fitness guy. Seriously.
But in a good way.
Today was the Plyometric Cardio Circuit which I've done twice before. Some parts of it, I'm able to do - maybe not better, but longer. The right side of my butt was killing me, though, so that slowed me down some.
Grant said I should mention a little something about the Insanity Nutrition. It's not bad, really. There's a formula you do to figure out how many calories you should be getting in a day, and then depending on if you want to gain or lose weight, you can add or subtract calories to each meal. There's guide that comes with the DVDs that has several 300 calorie meals, and then it tells of ways to increase it to 400 or 500 calorie meals. You're also supposed to eat 5 times a day.
I've been following it pretty closely, although I did have chocolate fondue on Valentine's Day.
But in a good way.
Today was the Plyometric Cardio Circuit which I've done twice before. Some parts of it, I'm able to do - maybe not better, but longer. The right side of my butt was killing me, though, so that slowed me down some.
Grant said I should mention a little something about the Insanity Nutrition. It's not bad, really. There's a formula you do to figure out how many calories you should be getting in a day, and then depending on if you want to gain or lose weight, you can add or subtract calories to each meal. There's guide that comes with the DVDs that has several 300 calorie meals, and then it tells of ways to increase it to 400 or 500 calorie meals. You're also supposed to eat 5 times a day.
I've been following it pretty closely, although I did have chocolate fondue on Valentine's Day.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Insanity - Day 8
I'm so thankful that yesterday was a rest day for my INSANE workout. Unfortunately, I liked my day off too much, and didn't want to workout today.
But I did.
And for those of you who wanted to see pictures, for some strange reason, here's one of me during my many mid-workout breaks. But be warned...it's not a pretty sight.
But I did.
And for those of you who wanted to see pictures, for some strange reason, here's one of me during my many mid-workout breaks. But be warned...it's not a pretty sight.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Crafts, crafts, CRAFTS!!!!
This is what my dining room table looks like right now.
One of those is for a friend, and the rest is for Kendall's new big girl room (more pictures to come once the room is actually all decorated).
What happened to that New Year's Resolution about eating dinner at the table???
One of those is for a friend, and the rest is for Kendall's new big girl room (more pictures to come once the room is actually all decorated).
What happened to that New Year's Resolution about eating dinner at the table???
Insanity - Day 6
Well, my first week of INSANE workouts is OVER! Only 5 more to go.
I did it, though...I got through the first week. I can and will do it all!!!
I did it, though...I got through the first week. I can and will do it all!!!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Insanity - Day 5
I didn't think I could sweat any more than I had with the other workouts, but I was wrong. Today was "Pure Cardio." My legs gave out on me for a bit during the workout, so that was fun.
A few people have asked in different ways why I'm doing this, and I don't really know how to answer it except that I just want to be in good shape, and I'd like to fit in my jeans better than I do now, and I'd like to lose my baby belly, since there's no baby in there anymore.
I do well with variety, and this definitely offers variety. Also, I don't have to leave home to do it, so that's a big plus. And the workouts are short (30-45 minutes each, although they seem never-ending while I'm doing them), and that's another big plus for me.
I'm also trying to follow the nutrition guide pretty closely, although I did have 2 chocolates the other day, and a bite of a red velvet cupcake yesterday...I'm trying, but I can't be perfect, you know? I have a serious sweet tooth, so I think I'm doing pretty good with it.
A few people have asked in different ways why I'm doing this, and I don't really know how to answer it except that I just want to be in good shape, and I'd like to fit in my jeans better than I do now, and I'd like to lose my baby belly, since there's no baby in there anymore.
I do well with variety, and this definitely offers variety. Also, I don't have to leave home to do it, so that's a big plus. And the workouts are short (30-45 minutes each, although they seem never-ending while I'm doing them), and that's another big plus for me.
I'm also trying to follow the nutrition guide pretty closely, although I did have 2 chocolates the other day, and a bite of a red velvet cupcake yesterday...I'm trying, but I can't be perfect, you know? I have a serious sweet tooth, so I think I'm doing pretty good with it.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Congrats!
I just wanted to take a second to say Congratulations to my awesome husband. He earned a really big achievement at work, and I'm so proud of him.
Let me give some background on military lingo first...
CGO stands for Company Grade Officer, which includes both 1st and 2nd Lieutenants and Captains. Grant is a Captain.
Just before Thanksgiving he found out he earned CGO of the year for his program.
That meant that he'd be up for CGO of the year for his wing. While he was at SOS, he never heard anything about it, so he just assumed he didn't get it. Well, at work on Monday, he found out that he did, in fact, get CGO of the year for his wing. Now he's up for CGO of the year for all of SMC (Space and Missile Systems Center), which is huge.
Even if he doesn't get that, what he's already gotten is a really big accomplishment, and it shows that all of his hard work has paid off.
So, yay for Grant!!
Let me give some background on military lingo first...
CGO stands for Company Grade Officer, which includes both 1st and 2nd Lieutenants and Captains. Grant is a Captain.
Just before Thanksgiving he found out he earned CGO of the year for his program.
That meant that he'd be up for CGO of the year for his wing. While he was at SOS, he never heard anything about it, so he just assumed he didn't get it. Well, at work on Monday, he found out that he did, in fact, get CGO of the year for his wing. Now he's up for CGO of the year for all of SMC (Space and Missile Systems Center), which is huge.
Even if he doesn't get that, what he's already gotten is a really big accomplishment, and it shows that all of his hard work has paid off.
So, yay for Grant!!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Insanity - Day 3
Pool...sweat...reduced to tears (I'm not kidding).
Why am I doing this again?
Mr. J, in response to your comment, no...Grant will not be doing any stealth videoing of these INSANE workouts. Don't make me break out any hip-hop dance class footage. Your wife wouldn't be too happy with me.
Why am I doing this again?
Mr. J, in response to your comment, no...Grant will not be doing any stealth videoing of these INSANE workouts. Don't make me break out any hip-hop dance class footage. Your wife wouldn't be too happy with me.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Insanity - Day 2
Again, I'm writing in a pool of my own sweat.
It's day 2. Day...2. DAY 2!!!!!!!
I'm pretty sure I almost died.
All I can say, is it reminded me of natural childbirth. Seriously. I was saying the same things during this workout as I was during my labor with Cameron, along with a few extra words thrown in there.
Oh, and Melissa, I definitely won't be posting pictures of myself after the workouts. No one needs to see that.
It's day 2. Day...2. DAY 2!!!!!!!
I'm pretty sure I almost died.
All I can say, is it reminded me of natural childbirth. Seriously. I was saying the same things during this workout as I was during my labor with Cameron, along with a few extra words thrown in there.
Oh, and Melissa, I definitely won't be posting pictures of myself after the workouts. No one needs to see that.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Insanity - Day 1
Okay, I'm sitting here in a pool of my own sweat to blog about my first day.
It was the Fit Test.
I'm pretty sure I failed.
What did I just get myself into????
It was the Fit Test.
I'm pretty sure I failed.
What did I just get myself into????
Sunday, February 07, 2010
INSANITY!!!!
I just have to start off by saying, that thanks to my awesome new camera that Grant got me for Christmas (a Canon SLR), I have probably taken at least a thousand pictures during our 5-week stint in Florida/Alabama. So, right now, I'm a little overwhelmed when it comes to narrowing down pictures and putting them on the blog. I will get to it, because there's just some really good pics in there...but not right now. We just got back in town, for Pete's sake!
Anyways, what I will be blogging about, and what I want my readers (if I have any) to hold me accountable for is my newest venture into health and fitness. Have you seen the commercials for the INSANITY workout? If you haven't, it's kind of like P90X minus any equipment. It really does seem insane.
Well, I bought it off of ebay for a great price, and it came before we got back in town. So tomorrow (Monday) I'm going to start it. I'm hoping to blog about it every day - not that it really interests anyone, but I figure that will somehow keep me accountable.
We'll see...
Anyways, what I will be blogging about, and what I want my readers (if I have any) to hold me accountable for is my newest venture into health and fitness. Have you seen the commercials for the INSANITY workout? If you haven't, it's kind of like P90X minus any equipment. It really does seem insane.
Well, I bought it off of ebay for a great price, and it came before we got back in town. So tomorrow (Monday) I'm going to start it. I'm hoping to blog about it every day - not that it really interests anyone, but I figure that will somehow keep me accountable.
We'll see...
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Small
I figured I'd post some pictures of the room we were staying in while in Montgomery.
As you can see, it was very small. We had a pack-n-play for Kendall, but I decided that she might think it was kind of "cool" to sleep on the pull-out sofa bed. The first couple night's were rough, but after taking naps and going to bed in it a few times, she got the hang of it.
And by that I mean, she didn't cry anymore. But she didn't quite go to sleep so easily. Some nights she would lay in bed for 2 hours before finally falling asleep. And that meant she wasn't falling asleep until about 11 on some nights.
But she loved to help pull out the bed. It never got old for her...every single night she couldn't wait to help.
And this last picture I just thought was cute, because it shows Cameron's curious side. She's so alert and attentive, and interested in everything going on around her. Since we've been here, she's started to laugh (kind of) and smile more, and she's really becoming Miss Personality. She loves her big sister and is pretty fascinated with her. Kendall's pretty taken with Cam, too. When Kendall's sad, she goes to Cami and hugs her or holds her hand. It's really sweet.
As you can see, it was very small. We had a pack-n-play for Kendall, but I decided that she might think it was kind of "cool" to sleep on the pull-out sofa bed. The first couple night's were rough, but after taking naps and going to bed in it a few times, she got the hang of it.
And by that I mean, she didn't cry anymore. But she didn't quite go to sleep so easily. Some nights she would lay in bed for 2 hours before finally falling asleep. And that meant she wasn't falling asleep until about 11 on some nights.
But she loved to help pull out the bed. It never got old for her...every single night she couldn't wait to help.
And this last picture I just thought was cute, because it shows Cameron's curious side. She's so alert and attentive, and interested in everything going on around her. Since we've been here, she's started to laugh (kind of) and smile more, and she's really becoming Miss Personality. She loves her big sister and is pretty fascinated with her. Kendall's pretty taken with Cam, too. When Kendall's sad, she goes to Cami and hugs her or holds her hand. It's really sweet.
Monday, February 01, 2010
Ice Skating
Okay, now that I'm back at my parent's house, I feel like I can upload pictures to the blog - back in Montgomery, we just had Grant's work computer.
Anyways, our first week in Montgomery (Grant's second week), we went ice skating at the Eastdale Mall. Now, neither Grant nor myself had been ice skating since we were in our early teens, so it was kind of interesting getting out there. But we had fun. And Kendall really seemed to enjoy it, too.
Anyways, our first week in Montgomery (Grant's second week), we went ice skating at the Eastdale Mall. Now, neither Grant nor myself had been ice skating since we were in our early teens, so it was kind of interesting getting out there. But we had fun. And Kendall really seemed to enjoy it, too.
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