Try it!

If you cook with chicken broth or chicken stock you HAVE to try this!  As you know I am always searching the grocery store for healthy great tasting food.  When you start reading labels you will be shocked at how much sodium there is in everything!  Chicken broth is one of the worst when it comes to sodium.  Late one night while channel surfing I saw a commercial for this brand of stock.  I usually buy the same old kind and never even paid attention to any other brands.  The commercial made all these claims about the wonders of this stuff.  So sure enough there it was on the shelf in my grocery store.  I bought it and will never buy another brand again.  I also won’t ever buy stock with salt again either.  The reason stock and/or broth has so much sodium is because it wouldn’t have any flavor otherwise (there is some salt in the unsalted but it’s minimal).  This stuff is loaded with flavor.  I use it all the time now.  I also love that it is in a box.  I use what I need and then store the rest in the refrigerator.  In addition to it’s flavor, less sodium, and being in a box, it’s also great because it’s less expensive than buying by the can.  

What do I use it for?  Let’s see… I use it in my soups, I use it in place of water when boiling rice, couscous, and quinoa, I use it when sauteeing veggies (pour just a little in the pan and the veggies will soak it up adding a ton of flavor), and this week I am using it with some mexican seasonings for my chicken fajita marinade on Taco Tuesday.  I keep trying to come up with ways to use this stuff because it is delicious! 

I hope you will like it too!  Happy cooking. 

Jinx

Just when we were moving along smoothly things STOPPED!  Milan and I knew it was bound to happen and it has.  What am I talking about?  I am talking about eating habits!  Only two weeks ago I could have won an award for having the best eater in the 1 year old category.  Seriously the kid was chowing everything in sight.  I just knew in the back of my mind it wasn’t going to last.  Milan was so excited about Eli’s massive appetite he went as far as to comment about it on Facebook. I do believe it was right then and there that he jinxed us!  Eli turns his nose up at everything now.  Unless it is cheese, yogurt, or crackers he won’t it eat.  What happened to the salmon, black beans, veggies, even fruit??  I have so many friends with children older than Eli that I was prepared for the eating game but I wish it would have held off a little longer. 

My personal parenting motto (stolen from some other Mom in passing) is this…

“I will parent without letting my emotions control my reaction!”

This is much easier said than done but I really am working on it.  It is so easy to get upset when your child doesn’t want to eat (or do other things you know they should do).  Especially when you know they should be hungry and you have offered them food you know (well knew at one time) that they’d like. 

If you ask Eli if he is ready to eat he will run to his chair and try to climb up.  However the minute he sits down he refuses to eat.  He throws it all on the floor.  If he does take a bite he chews it until it is all nice and gross and then proceeds to spit it out down the front of his shirt.  Are you thinking, “then put a bib on him Jen!”? Don’t think I haven’t thought of that!!!  Like socks, shoes, and coats Eli refuses to wear a bib.  I know I know “Just make him do it.  Don’t give him a choice.”  Ha! I dare you to try making Eli do anything.

This is where my quote comes in handy.  I could react with emotion in these situations.  I could force him to sit in his chair, wear a bib, and eat what I cooked for him all the while listening to him kick and scream because I want to be in control OR I can calmly remove him from the situation and tell myself he will not starve to death.  I have tried both and quickly found that eating is the very first thing in a toddler’s world that he has control over.  Of course he is going to try to exercise his right to choose.

It is very hard as a parent, especially a type A parent like myself, to sit back and not have things exactly as planned.  Dinnertime can be a very busy even stressful time of day so I have decided to not let my emotions control my parenting.  I don’t get stressed if Eli chooses to throw everything on the floor or spit it all back out at me.  Now I just laugh and say it’s ok I know it’s just a phase.  This too shall pass!

Luckily I snapped this picture of my sweet boy on a good night at dinnertime! 

Just for Smiles

Eli’s personality continues to develop daily.  As it does I keep seeing more and more smiles like these below.  It constantly melts my heart. Eli is so sweet and affectionate.  He offers hugs and kisses all day long.  I can not begin to express my gratitude for being able to stay home with him. 

It Gets Things Moving Along…

Eli has had tummy issues all his little life. Once he started solids it switched from reflux to constipation. Of course the medical world doesn’t accept it as constipation until the baby hasn’t pooped in 7 or more days. Are you kidding me? Listen, I am not medically trained at all but I do not think 7 days without pooping is healthy. Would you want to go that long without pooping? I think not.

There are lots of suggestions online and in books to help aide the baby in getting things moving along. I tried several of them but not all. I just couldn’t bring myself to do some of them. Then one day while worrying aloud to Whitney she told me about giving Harrison Flax Seed Oil and how it got him regular and kept him regular. I’m pretty sure you could hear my tires hit the road in search of this Flax Seed Oil. Milan and I eat flax seed all the time and I knew it was full of fiber but I had no idea you could give a baby the oil.

Here it is… the miracle oil.

The reason I am telling you this is because it WORKS. Eli has not been constipated at all in almost 2 months. This stuff is not for babies alone so I highly recommend adding it to your own diet. It doesn’t taste bad and it is great for you (besides helping things move along). Don’t worry, you don’t have to search high and low for it. I got it at Kroger in their Organic section. I love how the grocery stores are starting to carry all this wonderful stuff now!

Please pass this tip on to anyone you know who has a baby. It really made Eli feel so much better. I put it in his yogurt and he gobbles it right up. :)

Happy pooping!

Lucky You!

Welcome to my world friends! Milan finally has a blog to voice his opinions!  I have been listening to his thoughts, ideas, ,rants, and raves for I can’t remember how long now.  Now it’s your turn!  Click on the link to his blog from my blog so you too can enjoy some good reading material.  Become a follower so you can keep up with him!

Some people are not going to agree with the things Milan has to say.  It’s not really about reading what he says and agreeing with it all.  I think it’s more about hearing another perspective.  I know most people of our generation don’t have the time to really pay attention to politics.  We are busy with careers, raising children, taking care of our homes and families etc. I know I never paid close attention to it until recently.  Of course I watched the news (not Fox at the time) and pretty much didn’t know any better than to listen to what they said and believe it.  I’m also pretty sure if Milan hadn’t opened my eyes (like he hopefully will for you if you read his blog) I’d still be one of the many Americans who have bought into the mainstream media’s version of what is happening to our country. 

We all have opinions.  So before reading Milan’s blog and getting mad at him because you don’t agree with him I want you to ask yourself this… Where is my opinion on this topic coming from?  Was I raised to believe this way? Did it come from doing good research on the topic? Is it from my friends? Is it from the mainstream liberal media? Is it from my college professors? Why do I believe it and could I stand my ground in a debate with Milan?  I used to have some ideas that I believed pretty firmly.  I quickly realized when I tried to argue it with someone who felt differently than I do that I couldn’t verbalize why I believed it.  That’s when I started asking myself where did my views come from?  If you can’t verbalize through debate why you believe what you believe then I think it’s at that point when you start asking yourself those questions I posed.  And just for the record, Milan and I agree on a lot of things but not all of them.

Milan will debate you until he is blue in the face.  He believes that strongly in what he says and thinks.  That says so much to me about a person. I know Milan well enough to know that his ideas are not just pulled from thin air.  Milan pays close attention to what is happening in our country and is constantly reading about it.  It shocks me in a lot of ways to see Milan this passionate about politics.  I admire him for his courage to say what he thinks whether it is the popular thing to say or not.  Milan does not care about being “politically correct” and you have to admit there are very few people out there who are like that.  I do believe many of us think what Milan says but are far too afraid to actually say it aloud. 

Anyway, whether you are a conservative or a liberal I think you’ll enjoy reading Milan’s blog.  If nothing else it will give you something to think about and debate about with your loved ones.  In my opinion the topics of conversation in our houses really need to shift their focus from what’s happening on the latest reality TV show to what is happening to our country.  I challenge you to start debating your political ideas and thoughts with others if you don’t already.  I also challenge you to change the channel on your TV to Fox News for just a week.  Ditch The View, Good Morning America, and the Today Show in the morning for just a week and you will see what Milan means when he calls out the mainstream media.  I know Fox News has a reputation of being republican based (and it is true that there aren’t a lot of liberals on there) but they are fair and balanced just as they advertise to be.  You will not believe the stories they cover that are not being covered at all on ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, or CNN.  You can’t tell me Fox is making these things up. 

Just a side note… I have heard many people my age say things like “oh there’s nothing I can do about it” or “I’m too busy to worry about what is going on in Washington” or “I don’t even pay attention to it.”  I used to be this way too.  But the thing is this- we do not live in a bubble in our little houses in the suburbs.  Decisions are being made every day by our elected officials that directly affect us.  You have to be aware of what is going on.  You need to be voting in all elections- big and small.  Most people wait until every 4 years when there is a presidential election to get out and vote.  I know I was one of those people. I’m pretty sure I didn’t even vote in the primaries.  I just waited to see who was on the ballot.  The smallest elected official like town mayors for example should matter to us- they really have an affect on our bubble that we live in.  I hate hearing people complaining about things they don’t like and yet they feel their hands are tied.  It’s not true.  Get out there and get involved in the world around you.  You have a voice.  Let it do more than gossip on your cell phone, send text messages, post thoughts on Facebook, and discuss the stupid things the people in Hollywood are doing.  I will stop here before I carry on about these ridiculous people in Hollywood. 

I am preaching way more than usual but I am working really hard on becoming a better person outside and inside my bubble.  I can’t stand what our country has turned into and the world our children are being raised in. 

My Little Goose

How come no one told me it is nearly impossible to take pictures of a 1 year old?  I chase after him with the camera just like I always have but instead of grinning like before Eli now thinks its a game to run away from me!  I can’t get this little boy to do anything I want.  He has come into his own and boy is he stubborn!  I don’t know where he gets that from?  Certainly not from his Mom or Dad. :)

With each passing age and stage I kept telling Milan how much more fun Eli is getting. Not that I didn’t think earlier stages were nice and all it’s just that Eli is truly fun now.  He has the funniest personality.  I call him my little goose all the time.  He is down right silly and makes the goofiest little faces when he is laughing and playing.  I wonder if this is a glimpse into his future?  I certainly hope he won’t be the class clown.  I don’t want to be the parent I used to have to call in for a conference to discuss the child’s silliness in school!

Kuma Nicole told me once that her favorite age is from 12-18 months.  At the time she told me this I just listened and said ok.  I couldn’t imagine what would make that age any better than other ages so I figured I’d find out eventually.  Eli is only 13 months and I already know what she was talking about!  There honestly can’t be anything cuter than a little boy toddling around the house carrying a cow and saying Moo.  Eli has been learning so many words.  It amazes me how quickly kids catch on to things.  You don’t realize the importance of every thing you say and do all day long. 

Eli’s top three words…  these three words are clear as day.  He also makes animal sounds for his different barn animals, he says Ahhh when you ask him to open his mouth, he of course says Mama and Tata nonstop, I think he says dog sometimes but it comes out dg without the vowel sound, and he says Nee-Na over and over but we have no clue what it means.

Ball, ball, ball, and did I mention ball?  If the object is round it is a ball and he wants to play with it (or throw it)!  I had a cantaloupe on the counter and finally had to hide it because Eli kept throwing fits wanting to play with it!  I dread the produce department in the grocery store because he sits in the cart yelling ball and pointing at everything thinking if he is loud enough I will let him play with something. 

Hi-eeeeee! Bye-eeeeee!  Eli is Mr. Friendly now that he has learned how to say hi and bye.  He adds the sweetest little eeeee sound to the end and it melts your heart.  Eli talks to everyone and anyone he sees.  Which is nice and all except there are times when I’m not interested in attracting the attention of the creepy door greeter at Walmart. 

No! Ah the classic no.  Everything is no even if it’s yes. 

So who knew being 1 was so much fun?

  Obsessed with the dishwasher! Eli comes running when he hears it open. He constantly tries to climb inside.  I finally gave in one day and let him climb up for some exploration. How else do we learn about the world other than to explore it? You gotta’ have some fun!

This child has 100 toys and like all kids he prefers to play with things that are not toys! Could there be anything more exciting than playing in a cardboard box? I think not! (BTW-that is one of Eli’s goose faces!)

Mama got Wii Fit for Christmas and Eli thinks it’s his- imagine that! I insist on trying to use it while he plays nearby and all he wants to do is pull the board out from under me and mess with the remote.  I get nothing accomplished.  I suppose chasing him around trying to the remote back counts as exercise.  It won’t be long before Eli will be taking over the Wii and I won’t get to use it all!

Most of Eli’s friends are boys so he is always playing with “boy toys'”- ya’ know trucks, cars, blocks etc. We went to a friend’s house who has a daughter and suddenly Eli discovered how much fun “girl toys” can be!  He was so obsessed with Ava’s vacuum that we borrowed it from her.  Eli has always loved the real vacuum and now he follows me around the house with his vacuum while I use the real one.  Someone please tell me why no one has invented a toy vacuum that actually works?  Can you imagine how clean my floors would be if this thing worked! (BTW- here is another goose face)

Another obsession… the remote.  We had an extra remote that didn’t work so I labeled it with an E and now it belongs to Eli.  He walks around the house carrying this thing all day long.  He points it at the TV and waits for it to work.  He also goes around banging the TV cabinet, the windows, doors and even Jack with it.  He has been “in trouble” a lot lately because of this!  He definitely knows what he is doing and knows I am going to take it from him if he bangs things.  So what does he do?  He runs from me with the thing and pretends he is going to bang something.  Then when I get close enough he takes off running and laughing.  It’s one of those moments when you want to laugh but don’t because all it does is encourage him!

 

I received a text message yesterday from a friend asking me why I haven’t posted any new blogs in so long.  So here it is.  I used to think I’d get more done as Eli got older.  Ha! Now that is funny!  I get even less done now that he is all over the house!  I am going to try to do a better job getting posts up! 

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

Eli got to see his very first white Christmas thanks to our trip to Chicago! We had such a great visit and were on the go nonstop (as usual!).  We basically needed to rent a truck to bring home all of his birthday and Christmas gifts!  Luckily my Mom and Dave will be driving down in January and delivering them to us.  It will be like celebrating Christmas all over again. 

Along with all of Eli’s wonderful new toys he also got his very first molar and his very first cold.  That molar brought on some long sleepless nights and the cold brought on lots of runny nose problems (a.k.a boogers!)  It is not fun trying to wipe a 1 year olds nose.  It wouldn’t be Christmas without the gift of giving.  Milan was kind enough to bring home that cold from his trip to Orlando.  He passed the cold on to me, Eli, my Mom, and Dave!  All of us are still trying to kick it! 

Well now that we have had some time to rest this week I am excited to post our pictures from the trip!  This was by far the best Christmas I have had since I myself was a child.  Having a child gives celebrating Christmas a whole new meaning.  Even though Eli didn’t understand any of it we did and it was wonderful.  I can’t wait till next year when he is 2 and will “get it” a little bit more.

I knew Pappy was up to something the weeks leading up to Christmas but I wasn’t exactly sure what the project was.  Here’s what we see as we pull into their driveway!  Pappy made Eli his very our reusable birthday sign made out of Christmas lights!  This is the coolest thing I have ever seen!  I know Eli couldn’t understand it this year but I totally look forward to the day when we pull into the driveway at Christmastime and Eli recognizes he’s at Pappy’s because he sees his sign waiting for him!  Thanks Pappy!

How cute is Eli’s birthday cake?  Thank you, Kuma Nicole.  It not only looked incredible but it tasted delicious too!  You are amazing!

 

        Hmm, what’s this thing?                            Oohhh, you want me to wear it?

           I don’t think so Mama!                                            All done!

Long gone are the days when Eli would willingly wear a hat!  It was worth a try!

Here are all of the kids at Eli’s party.  As you can see Eli is not exactly thrilled about this.  The crying basically sums up how he acted most of the time we were home.  He had a really hard time adjusting to all the new people and places.  It was so much fun for Milan and I to see all of the kids together.  If we were living at home Eli would spend all his play time with these kids.  We are going to do everything we can to make sure that the miles between Georgia and Chicago don’t get in the way of Eli building relationships with our families and friends at home.  Milan grew up with the parents of these kids and it was so much fun watching the next generation play together!  We miss and love all of you!!!! 

I hate to call this the tree at Macy’s but sadly that is what it is called now.  It is a Chicago tradition to go to Marshall Field’s to see the tree and the windows so we made sure Eli got to experience the tradition. 

I think this cake is so cool.  The bakery was able to take Eli’s invitation and put it on the cake.  Too cute!

Santa (a.k.a. Dave) stopped by my Mom’s house to deliver some gifts!  How appropriate since Grammy taught Eli to say “Ho Ho Ho” just like Santa does.  Of course Eli wouldn’t get on his lap but that’s ok at least he’s not crying!

                   More presents!  Oh boy!  Thank you Baba and Deda!

Eli & Grandpa have matching Mustangs! (Please Dad, don’t buy him a real one like yours for his 16th birthday!)

Milan took Eli out sledding in his parents backyard.  Eli LOVED it!  Mama watched from inside of course.  Then Baba came out to play too. 

 

Here are my boys in their Steelers gear!  It must be Sunday! 

It was so good to be “home”.  The more we make that drive the easier it gets.  Eli really did a good job staying happy this time.  When Eli is happy everyone is happy!  :)

Thank you everyone for all the birthday and Christmas gifts.  We greatly appreciate the generosity and love from all.  Eli is one lucky little guy.