Family Circus (and Healthy Homemade Apple Pie Pop Tarts)

A little background is probably in order here. (See my "About Me" page for more..well..."about me"...). My advance apologies for this lengthy post

I have one beautiful son, Dubs, from my previous marriage who just turned 7. (Break. My. Heart). He's amazing and brilliant and adorable and some days - a total a**hole.  Cause ya know, sometimes kids are just a**holes, right? Aren't we all?

We live-in-happiness with my boyfriend, Todd, and his two boys, Coco and GMan. Coco is 11 and GMan is 8. They're funny and kind and talented and some days - total a**holes.

We have all three boys 50% each week, and on the same schedule. So we have this crazy ebb and flow of quiet days that are just the two of us, to the next day, a full-blown-circus. I will admit, I love both sides of that dichotomy. My relationship with Todd is pretty rock solid - and in big part to the fact that we have lots of time to focus on being a couple, which, trust me, I know is a luxury that most parents do not have. We also have the blessing of being SUPER excited to be with our kids. We almost never get babysitters and get pretty psyched when its our full weekend and try to do some cool fun stuff as a family (and this isn't any kind of self-righteous standpoint - we just don't get to have them as often as traditional families so we want to take advantage of the shorter times we have with the boys). But, even with this perhaps "nouveau-normal" lifestyle, we're still normal. I'm still a normal working mom who gets frustrated and overworked and stressed and doesn't always win the Mom-Of-the Year Award.  A good example of that...is the morning time routine (or lack-thereof)....

I work full time, and I have a "chaotic" personality. I am a chronic over-sleeper and am a disorganized-but-creative, ADD-struggling, over-commit-er.

In the mornings - all of that above, sometimes creates the perfect storm for me to eventually, well, explode. Dubs seems to have a touch of my ADD because "Yes mommy, I'll put my shoes on" is usually very quickly "I know she said something about something I should be doing something about but I've been distracted by this toy in just 12 seconds...OH LOOK A SQUIRREL". We have a divide and conquer approach in the mornings - Todd gets his boys off to their two schools and I get Dubs off to his (yes. three different schools. very convenient). Most days that means I'm pretty much just responsible for getting the one small person ready and out the door each day. That one small person who also is an over-sleeper, distracted, fun-loving, responsibility-shirking, 7 year old....and I'm not always the most understanding of that.

Fast forward to this week. Oversleeping occurs. Morning instructions ignored. Mom-screaming ensues. Everyone pretends not to notice the freak-out happening in front of them and scurries to line up out the door.  That's typical. What wasn't typical was the one funny remark that kind of became a slap in the face for me. GMan says: "I know what Tarisa's going as for Halloween. A stressed-out angry lady." 

Ouch.

They all laughed. I laughed. It was funny. But I don't want 7, 8, 11 year olds viewing me as a "stressed out angry lady". I don't want Todd viewing me as a "stressed out angry lady". I don't want to BE a "stressed out angry lady". (Besides, anger=wrinkles!!)

SO. Fast forward again. This weekend is Halloween. Well, today is Halloween. We're going to trick or treat tonight, and the forecast is a fabulous high of 32 degrees. (God Bless Wisconsin). My goal is to make this  whole weekend full of family fun, to laugh at myself and help us all laugh at each other.

I've been scouring Pinterest for some fun at-home activities, so my plan is for a family fun night on Saturday. I'm thinking some costumed-up Minute to Win It games (for Coco competitive streak), Silly Spaghetti Dinner (for GMan's favorite meal) or else one of their favorites, a DIY Buffet, and some Glow-Stick Wii "Just Dance" (Dubs has been begging to play for.ev.er).

For breakfast Saturday morning, I'm going to have them help me make healthy homemade apple pie pop tarts. They've been asking for pop tarts and EW. JUST. EW. Not doing it. But then I saw some recipes for homemade pop tarts and that got me thinking. We also just came into a GIANT bag of organic Honey Crisp apples and I've been thinking about what to do with them and I think this is a match made in heaven.

Here are a few links I found that I'll be incorporating into our Family Fall Fest for the weekend. I think it'll be fun and a good break that I need from being the "stressed out angry lady".  I can't wait to report back with how it all goes!! I think this will be our little blended family's equivalent of a spa-day....sorta...

Silly Spaghetti Dinner: http://thechaosandtheclutter.com/archives/family-fun-night-just-for-laughs/

Minute to Win It: http://thechaosandtheclutter.com/archives/family-fun-night-minute-to-win-it/

Glow Games: http://www.notconsumed.com/2014/01/14/family-fun-night-glow-stick-game-thon

Apple Pie Pop Tarts: http://waitarethosecookies.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/confessions-of-a-hippy-granola-child/  (I think I like this crust recipe the best that I've seen, I'll let you know what I end up using and share what I find for the filling).

Destination Hydration

Those who know me, know I'm pretty much chronically dehydrated. My liquid intake typically consists of coffee, Diet Coke, and booze. Sometimes a protein shake or smoothie--but I think that's probably considered "food".

Although I've adopted a MUCH healthier lifestyle than my former-life, there are still a few things (vices) I need to work on. Some are a work-in-progress, and some are simply on the list. A few I'll publicly admit to is the aforementioned Diet Coke, artificially sweetened coffee creamer, and never wearing sunscreen. (I know, I know, I KNOW. It's horrible. And not helping the situation that this post is leading to...)

The only time I truly indulge an acceptable H2O intake is during my Body Combat class. Because otherwise I'd die. Right there. In Body Combat.

For the most part, I don't typically feel "thirsty". I really don't. Even my coffee-dietcoke-booze-repeat cycle is actually pretty limited.

I read an article yesterday that's making me reconsider this as an "entertaining little quirk about me". A woman in the UK said she did an experiment to see what changes would happen to her body if she drank a gallon of water a day. The photo results were pretty amazing. Whether its true or not, it got me thinking.

I've noticed lately that my face is all of the sudden looking...older....I could easily attribute that to being in my - ah-hem - mid thirties, but what if it's that I'm simply raisin-ing up from lack of water? I'm blessed with pretty good genes - I still get carded on the reg - but like I said, lately, I feel a little lackluster. Like my skin, my eyes, my hair, it's all just gone "blah".  SO, starting Monday, October 27th, I'm going to take you on a little photo journey to see what happens when I get some ocean in my motion. (Not literally You're not supposed to drink ocean water. Don't do it. DISCLAIMER! :)) I'm going to drink at least a gallon of water a day. (I'd imagine I'll be spending the rest of my day peeing, but we shall see). 

Just for full-on disclosure (and probably some added Halloween scare-factor) I'll take some awesome selfies in my office. Because the light is SUPER flattering in here. So, that way you can get the REAL effect. I'll update you weekly with my (hopeful) progress. 

Here's what we're working with people. #nofilter 

And yes. I have makeup on.......yikes.

Show Me Whatchya Workin' With

Chicken Sausage and Quinoa Skillet over Caramelized Butternut Squash

Its beginning to feel very fall-ish here in Wisconsin so it's time to add a little warmth and spice to our clean-eating dinners. We've really been enjoying using zucchini instead of pasta in our dishes, so we were talking the other night about other kinds of squash to give a spin to. And ya know, pumpkin is so 2013. ;)

I saw a recipe for a squash and quinoa salad that was similar to how I started this recipe's base, but my man and I need a little more protein than that for our dinner so I decided to make it a hot dish and make it into an entree with some additions of my own. 

I've never cooked with butternut squash before, and it while it required a little muscle to peel and chop, it wasn't really a time consuming recipe overall, with a start to finish cook time of about an hour. 

I felt like the seasoning could use juuuuuuuust a touch more of a Fall flavor so I think next time I might add some sage or fennel or something. If you experiment with this, I'd love to hear how it turns out!

Chicken Sausage and Quinoa Skillet over Caramelized Butternut Squash

with Apples, Cranberries, Toasted Nuts and Goat Cheese

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

·         4 Chicken Sausage Links (I used Amylu Apple & Gouda Cheese Chicken Sausage)

·         1 medium butternut squash, peeled and diced

·         2 T Virgin Coconut Oil

·         ¼ cup Maple Syrup (real)

·         Salt and Pepper

·         1 cup quinoa

·         1 medium apple, chopped

·         ½ onion, sliced

·         ½ cup cranberries

·         ¼ cup mixed pecans and walnuts, toasted

·         ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

    

1.)    Oven Caramelizing the Butternut Squash:

·         Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

·         Cut off and discard the ends of each butternut squash. Peel the squash, cut them in half lengthwise, and remove the seeds. Cut the squash into 1-1 ½ inch cubes and place them in a bowl. Add coconut oil, maple syrup, salt and pepper. Toss all the ingredients together (I used my hands to help melt the coconut oil) and spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast until the squash is tender and the outside starts caramelize, about 45 to 55 minutes. While roasting, turn the squash gently a few times with a spatula, to be sure it browns evenly.

2.) Prepare Quinoa according to package directions and set aside. 

3.)    While squash is roasting, add onion and apple to a LIGHTLY oiled skillet. Cook until onion starts to become translucent, stirring frequently. Add sausage and simmer, turning occasional until warmed through. (this sausage is pre-cooked).

4.)    Remove sausage and cut on the bias. Return to skillet.

5.)    Add cooked quinoa and cranberries to skillet with sausage, onion and apple and toss to mix.

6.)    Serve over caramelized squash and top with toasted nuts and crumbled goat cheese. 

Pin Win Recipe Review - Amazing Flour-less (Black Bean) Brownies

While searching for "clean eating" desserts, Pinterest led me (as it often does) to the never-failing Skinnytaste website. I assumed her Amazing Flour-Less Brownies would be an obvious Pin Win, but was, at first, a little leery on a black bean brownie.  

We've been wanting to "clean" up our act, and while these aren't entirely "clean", (they contain white sugar), they are certainly a healthy alternative to another Pin Win brownie recipe I use and love that Todd just calls "Chocolate Flavored Butter" (maybe I'll share that one another time). 

These. Were. Amazing.

The recipe made 9 delicious, fudgy, gooey generous sized brownies, and, I'll admit, we ate the whole pan in one night. We gave each of the boys one...which means Todd and I......well, we ate 3 each. And I don't feel one bit of shame!

I used half the amount of chocolate chips of the original recipe, and truthfully, will omit them completely next time just to cut calories. The chocolate chips were a tasty addition, but not necessary for sweetness. I also used milk chocolate chips because that's what I had on hand. I didn't feel like dragging out the food processor, so I blended the beans, eggs and liquid ingredients in my Magic Bullet Blender (12 years old and still going strong by the way!) and then poured that over the dry ingredients, mixed well and then folded in the chocolate chips. 

I have to give shout-out to the Galena Garlic Company's Espresso Balsamic Vinegar*. Obviously, any balsamic would have worked just fine in this recipe, but with the hint of espresso and the instant coffee, the combination gave such a rich, dark flavor to the finished product. (*I don't see the Espresso listed on their website-so I'm wondering if its an in-store-only or if I just happened to snag a last lucky bottle. The Dark Chocolate or truly, any of the fruits, would be a nice substitute. If you happen to be near any of their locations, I highly recommend visiting their shop for a taste-test of your own. The possibilities are endless!!)

When an 11 year old, 8 year old and 6 year old tell you these were the "best brownies" they've ever had "IN MY LIFE!" you know you've found your go-to. I'm going to try to replace the sugar with honey to "clean" it up just a little further, and will report back, but regardless, this is my new standard. 

Visit Skinnytaste for the original version. Here is my adaptation:

Ingredients:
1 (14 oz) canned low-sodium black beans, rinsed and drained  

2 large eggs
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon oil
1 tablespoon skim milk
1 teaspoon good balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of  instant coffee granuals
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease a nonstick 9 x 9-inch square baking pan (or 8x8 for a tad thicker brownie) with baking spray.

Blend the black beans, eggs, cocoa powder, sugar, oil, milk, balsamic, baking soda, baking powder and coffee in the blender until smooth and pour into a bowl. Fold in 1/2 cup chocolate chips until combined.  Pour the brownie batter in a greased 8x8 or 9x9 pan.  

Bake the brownies until a toothpick comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.  Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing them into squares.