Crafty Mama!

I found this great idea the other day for peanut butter playdough and made it for the girls, HUGE success!!! To be honest Reese mostly ate it but Cally loved playing with it and it is SO easy to make
1c peanut butter
1/2c honey (I used agave nectar)
2c powerdered sugar

Just mix together, I put it in the refrig for 1 hour to make it a little firmer but it isn't necessary and it is super sweet and yummy, you know in case you get caught playing with the kiddos :)

A few of my favorite things

First of all update on the green smoothies. I have been drinking up to 1/2 quart a day, which to me still seems like a lot, today however, just a glassful, my homemade veggie soup just was calling my name with it snowing outside, so my smoothie became my beverage instead of my meal :) Oh well!!! I found a wonderful combo too, I add 1/2 c of pomegrante juice and a bananna, scurmptious!! Ok on to my post

1) Greek yogurt, yeah I know I try to be as vegan as possible but this stuff is just SO good and such a versitile ingredient!!! This morning I had it for breakfast with a chopped 1/2 bananna some chopped dates, flax seed, and sprinkled coconut on top! Best breakfast ever! I also use this yogurt in baking, salad dressing, and in baking, but mostly is all by itself!!!

2) Peanut butter, couldn't live without this stuff! I fav brand is Smuckers but to be honest I mostly use Trader Joe's because that is where I do the majority of my shopping and with too little ones, hey you compromise!!! I found a new variety though at Whole Foods the other day and just tried it, oh my god wish I hadn't because I litterally could eat the whole thing, it is Peanut Butter and Co. they have several flavors but I chose the chocolate peanut butter!!! It is great and all natural!!!

4) Fiber Cereal- I opt for the Trader Joes brand, great as breakfast or as croutons on a salad, yes I know I am weird but don't mock it til you try it, Nick doesn't even notice, shh don't tell!!!

5)Flax seeds- Make sure that you get the ground variety or grind them yourself otherwise they pass right through your digestive tract, but I add them to just about everything they are packed with fiber and essential Omega-3's

6) Sparkling water- usually buy the Poland spring brand because you can get it at Trader Joes for 89cents/liter! WOW, I don't wish to admit how much I drink but a great way to still get your water without omitting taste and carbonation!

7) Last but not least one that I wish I didn't love, Betty Crocker's low fat brownie mix. I know I know nothing natural about it, but come you have to splurge every once in awhile, right?? They are just SO good and make with apple sauce and egg white, couldn't be more indulgent and still low fat!

So, there you have it, mostly healthy things but some ideas to add to your grocery list, what are some of your favorite things????

Green Smoothies

So, I finally indulged an bought a couple of raw diet books because I have been fascinated by this concept lately. One was more of a book all about eating raw and the other had some recipes. As I began reading the author continued to discuss the concept of "green smoothies" and how this is the solution to all of our nutritional problems. She claims that greens are the ultimate nutrional powerhouse and that we as humans simply don't consume enough and therefore she concocted a "green smoothie" which consists of some greens, fruit, and water. Nick and I decided to give it a try, it cant hurt anything right? So this morning we drank one which consisted of cherries, strawberries, blueberries, kale, water, and some flax seed (I was feeling wild!!) and it wasnt that bad! I have to admit it filled me up all 150 calories apprximately, it cant be too much more there is nothing to it!!! She advices drinking one quart a day which seems like alot to us right now so we are starting with 1/2 of that and see if we can increase from there. The testimonals in this book claimed everything from clearer skin to curing pancreatic cancer, so we will see what we experience we will keep you updated but for now happy drinking!! (Green smoothies that is!!!)