Day 180 - Pumpkin Seeds, Roasted

So my daughter took it upon herself to roast the pumpkin seeds that came out of the pumpkins we carved.  She put salt on them (way too much) ... and garlic salt and cayenne pepper and who knows what else.  Yes, I did dare to try them.  Yes, I hated them.  The general opinion though from everyone seems to be the same, in that those seeds are entirely too salty ... but I Fear that is dear daughter's fault, and not the seeds themselves.  Perhaps I will like just regular ole plain pumpkin seeds as-is, without all the salt and such.

Meanwhile - today is Halloween and it is also my son's 8th birthday.  YAY for birthday boo and all the fun festivities that surround this day.

Day 179 - Yogurt, Carrot Cake

Another CarbMaster flavor ... it is orange and it is yuk.  I did not like it at all.  Of course, thus far, I have not liked anything 'carrot' related!  I have never had a carrot cake in my life, but for some unknown bizarre reason I decided this yogurt would be worth a try.  Well, I tried it - - and it was a 'no go'.  Oh well...

Meanwhile - today was pumpkin carving day.  Always love watching that.  Daughter dear also roasted pumpkin seeds.  I might try those tomorrow if any are left... my tummy hurts tonight and I ain't touchin' them for nothing :)

Day 178 - Spiced Pear Yogurt

So Kroger has this line of yogurts called CarbMaster.  I picked up a few to try.  One of them I was looking forward to is called Spiced Pear.  Love IT!

I'm not feeling very well - - and don't plan to really expand on it - - but tried it and loved it.  Also had a very fun time at a Sugar Land park with the kiddos.  Life is good.

Day 177 - Kashi Bar

I knew I had to spend some time in the car today, so I wanted to be prepared.  I took the opportunity to try a new kind of 'bar'.  Kashi usually makes decent products, I like their cereals.   I tried their Cherry Dark Chocolate bar today.  Heaven on my tongue I tell ya ... oooh yeah - I liked it :)

Also had a lot of energizing fun playing with my boys this afternoon.  One son who weighs maybe 55 pounds was particularly rambunxious (how do you spell that)?   I was doing leg lifts with him on each leg alternatively; and things of this nature.  Definitely got the heart rate up.  Love stuff like that.  The air is crisp and slightly cooler - the temps are my friend - the wind is blowing.   I totally love autumn.  I know other parts of our country are talking about winter storm watches and snow and stuff ...but here in Houston - it is just very pleasant.

Have a good weekend.  Take time to play (and sweat).

Day 176 - Mushrooms

So Deb ate a mushroom today.  Yes, I ate fungus.  Technically, mushrooms are not even a vegetable because they have no leaves or roots or seeds ... but we pretty much think of them as vegetables; and they do have a lot of health benefits.  Some people eat them raw, some eat them cooked - and some are even poisonous - so know your stuff.  But I felt pretty safe eating a raw mushroom from my grocery store ... they are not likely to feed me poison (we hope not anyway).  Did I like it - heck no.  Will I eat it again?  Hmmm ... maybe.  My daughter loves mushrooms - but she's about the only one.  My husband did eat mushroom pieces on a pizza last night I think - -which is what made me think of them.  I don't think he's a big fan, but he didn't pick them off the pizza, so they can't be all bad.

So - give me input - raw, cooked - recipes or salads or what?  What, how and why do you eat mushrooms - - if at all ??  WOULD LOVE to know.  Meanwhile; here is a link with more mushroom information:

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/month/mushroom.html

Day 175 - Seaweed

Yes, I ate seaweed.  Can you believe it?  Holy cow - that was weird.  I just had a sample, but I was not thrilled. I did not throw up or go into convulsions or anything, but yeah - not  something high on my list of treats.  I do wonder if I ate it with something else or mixed it up a little, maybe I'd like it more.  Again, maybe need to try it more than once and in different ways.  I have been hearing a lot about the benefits of seaweed so I thought I'd give it a shot.  You should too.  I did notice they had other kinds of seaweed, different colors too like red and brown - and they has Wasabi (um, won't be trying THAT one).

Check out this link:  http://www.seaweed.ie/uses_general/humanfood.html

Day 174 - Cucumber

So, I finally tried a cucumber slice.  All of my children love them, even my picky toddler, so I figured it was time ... especially after Thomas was so sweet and spent his tooth fairy money to buy two cucumbers.

Well, I wish I could say I was in love - but I am not ... the smell alone, makes me have a tumbler tummy.  I wonder if I continue to try them if I can grow a tolerance for them?  How important are they?  I've heard they help burn fat ... any input on that?

Meanwhile, I am still not feeling great.  Hopefully tomorrow is a better day.

Toootles.

Day 173 - Twinings Pure Peppermint Herbal Tea

Blah and yuk - I have had the worst day, I actually have a fever and my tummy has been doing all kinds of bizarre things to me.   I had a bad night, migraine ... woke up, worse.  You know it's bad when you have to get your husband to do the kid duty thing.   Hate that.

I tried some herbal tea to try and make me feel better, but it did not work.  It was Twinings Pure Peppermint herbal tea.  Yuk!  I thought for sure it would help my tummy, but not at all.

Day 172 - Parm. Crusted Chicken

So, my husband tried out a new recipe and made it for the family tonight, it is called Parm. Crusted Chicken.  I only took a small bite off my son's plate.  I did not care for it.  I just ate my plain chicken instead.  BUT THEN - I got so sick and threw up.  At first I thought maybe it went down wrong or something - but then was feeling bad all evening.    So who knows.

I also tried a Pillsbury Brownie refrigerated thing we got for free.  It was a caramel flavor, a very small square.  I must say it was heavenly, but am wise enough not to over-indulge in such things.

Day 171 - Spinach Artichoke Hummus

So, today we had fun at a new Farmer's Market in Sugar Land, which is not far from us.  We took half our children with us, the youngest two.   Thomas (age 6) had lost a tooth and got a dollar from the tooth fairy.  He walks up to the guy selling cucumbers and says 'how many cucumbers can I get for a dollar?'.  The guy gave him two and put them in a bag.  He was thrilled.  Now; how many kids do you know who want to spend their tooth fairy money on cucumbers?   It was too cute.

While there, I sampled a few things - one of them was something called Banana Nut Rum Cake.  I did not have a big bite, as I don't really need cake on my hips ... but I tell you what - it was super yummy.   I have never even heard of Banana Nut Rum Cake, but it was fabulous.

After our adventure at the Farmer's Market, we hit up a new H.E.B. that just opened up in Sugar Land as well.  This is a Texas chain grocery store.  My husband had been there, but I had not.  Thomas was super thrilled to go to H.E.B., because he knows they always have samples.  We tried different kinds of cheese and breads and crackers and things.  Some of those cheese were just weird, and horribly expensive ... not a clue who buys small pieces of cheese things for $13.99 - - that just seems crazy to me.  Anyway, the big hit seemed to be the Spinach Artichoke Hummus on a whole grain cracker.  I have heard of Spinach Artichoke Dip ... but did not know they made that combination with Hummus.  I tried regular plain Hummus not long ago as part of this challenge and hated it.  Oddly enough - this one was a wee bit better.  I cannot say that I love it like my sweet 6 yr old Thomas does, but it was okay.  Look closely at the pic of Thomas below and you'll see the bag he is holding which has his awesome cucumbers.

I also did some window shopping at this H.E.B. and saw that they have Chia Seeds - which is something else I want to try.  They had a good selection of Health Foods and produce, etc.  Did some price comparisons.  Definitely an educational trip for mama.

Hope you had a good day so far.

Thomas at the Farmers' Market

Daddy and James at the Farmers' Market

Day 170 - Tazo Iced Green Tea Latte

Premium matcha green tea lightly sweetened
and combined with milk and ice.

I tell you what, I have never been a fan of Starbucks, and could not even care less about them in the past ... but I may have found myself a new love and an expensive hobby :)

I tried Tazo Iced Green Tea Latte today - - and it was fabulous.  I must repeat - it was absolutely fabulous.  Has anyone had one before?  Would love your input.

It's about 270 calories.  5 grams of fat.   3.5 saturated fat.  115 mg of sodium.  TEN grams of protein.

Day 169 - Japanese Rice Crackers (Organic)

So, I tried a sample of something at Kroger today - it was in the 'Organic' Health Food area.  I was looking for supplements and other kinds of things - and decided to take them up on a sample.  This stuff is $10.99 a pound, so I am not sure I would ever buy it - but it wasn't bad.  Notice the ingredients include seaweed, and I have been hearing a lot of good things about seaweed.  Not totally in love with these weird crackers, but not bad at all.

Meanwhile, my 7 yr old son told me I need to learn how to make healthy candy corn.  UM, somehow I don't see THAT happening! :)

Day 168 - Muscle Punch

So, today - amid my very busy day of errands and what not ... I got a smoothie at Smoothie King.  I don't think I have ever been to a Smoothie King in my life.   I got something called a 'Muscle Punch Plus'.  I drank about half of it.  It was awesome.  Really - super awesome.  Loved it.  I am definitely wanting to make some healthy smoothies at home - throw some Spinach or Kale in there, get some greens in ... you get the idea.

Here is a little info. I found on their website about it:

Muscle Punch Plus™

You know how when you’re working out, your muscles seem to be screaming? This is what they’re screaming for—our delicious mix of banana, strawberries and a unique protein and nutrient blend. Consider us your muscle translator.

Ingredients

Strawberries, Bananas, Egg Protein, Non-Fat Milk, Vanilla, Wheat Germ, Nutritional Yeast, Turbinado, Honey

My skinny version came in at 266 calories, 1 gram of fat, 61 carbs, 5 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber and about 57 mg of sodium.  But those are the counts for the full 20 ounces, and again, I only drank about half.

Day 167 - Cottage Cheese

I tried it - and I hated it.  Sorry - I was really hoping I would like it because of the awesome protein content, but no can do.   I need ideas on how to mix it up into something else, like a smoothie or something.  I ate it plain, and my oh my  - - it was yuk.

Hope you had a Terrific Tuesday.

Day 166 - Birthday Cake

Well, yes, I have had birthday cake in my lifetime, but I truly have never had this kind of cake before.  It is called Italian Cream Cake and it even has coconut in the icing.  I usually detest coconut and avoid it at all costs.  I do not eat anything, EVER, that has coconut in it.  However; today is my precious daughter's birthday (15 yrs old) - and this is the cake she wanted, and she wanted/insisted that I have a bite.  SO I put aside my aversion to coconut and decided to give a taste.

Oh my gosh - I loved it.  Seriously - heaven on a fork.  Where in the world has this cake been all my life?  I had no idea cake could be so good.  I normally do not even care about cake.  However; I did use some self control and only had a little bit.  It was enough though - to know for sure - I am in love.

SO, I cannot believe my one and only baby girl is 15 years old.  Time flies.   Hope you all had a happy Monday.

So this is the lovely cake !

AND... This is me and the lovely girl!

And ... this is when my baby girl was just 4 years old!

and in case you're wondering why I'm not showing a baby picture, she was four years old when we 'GOT' her... yep, she was a foster daughter we adopted.  She was 4 years old when she came into our lives, and we are so glad she did.  Doctors told me I'd probably not have children.  THAT is now hilarious, because I have since given birth to 3 sons!  But nonetheless, we are so glad the Good Lord saw fit to put her into our lives and our family.  She has truly been an awesome blessing beyond imagination.

Day 165 - Yes, Another Bar

Yes, I am going to get a reputation as the 'bar' lady if I keep this up, but I did try another bar today.  It is a Promax bar, cookies-n-cream flavor.  I did not like it at all.  Oh well.  No biggie.

My husband made this Asian kind of stir fry and white rice tonight.  I should have tried it, I know I should have, but again - the smell gets the best of me and I just cannot handle it.  Lots of room for improvement there.

Day 164 - Quest Bar - Peanut Butter Supreme

So I tried a bar today that has been highly recommended by some friends.  Quest Bars are definitely of a higher quality and better ingredients than many bars you find.  Wonderful thing about Quest bars is that you can order them off the internet.

I love this thing.  WOo HOo !

Meanwhile, my daughter made another soup creation today - it was French Onion.  I know that would have been a wonderful opportunity to try it and have that be my 'new' thing, but it smelled just wretched awful, and I could not even go near it.  Oh well.  She loved it, and our exchange student from Korea loved it, so that is good.  I don't think I'll be trying French Onion soup anytime soon.

Day 163 - Spinach Rice Soup and Beer Bread

Well, my daughter, who will be 15 on Monday, is quite a talented Chef.  She absolutely loves to cook, and she always wants to make sure it is healthy.  I taught her to cook when she was little because she was behind in her reading.  I figured recipes and cooking were good because it was math and reading.  I had no idea what I was starting, man oh man, she's a gifted genius.

So tonight she threw together some cooked rice, wilted spinach, low sodium organic chicken brother, grated lemon peel, apple cider vinegar, a little bit of flour and minced garlic and diced scallions.  I think that's everything.  It smelled so good when she was making it.  Everyone was impressed.   She also made beer bread to go with it. Yes, I let my daughter have a beer - but only for cooking (Tee hee).  

Yes, I tried the soup.  Yes, I actually liked it okay.  I won't say I'm in love with it, but it was definitely okay for me, and I was quite surprised.  I was very nervous about trying it, as you know how I am ... but I was determined to give it a go.  I am so glad I did.  I also like the beer bread, quite a lot.  I won't eat much, because honestly I don't really need to be eating much bread, but it is good - for sure.

Tomorrow, at 7:45 a.m. I have been invited to some kind of boot camp with my good friend and inspiration (R.S.)  She is very strong and she recommends this boot camp highly, so I am excited.

So YAY for me - I ate two things tonight I never thought I would - and tomorrow I am going to step out of my comfort zone big time and go play at a boot camp where I totally expect to have my butt kicked.

Day 162 - Apple Cider Vinegar and Apple Cider

So, I have been hearing all kinds of good things about Apple Cider Vinegar (known as ACV) and how it helps with metabolism and weight loss.  Not a lot of people drink it straight as it is not all that tasty, so I have been hearing a lot of how it is mixed up with other things.  Today I tried it with hot apple cider. Basically, I mixed two teaspoons with the packed of spiced apple cider (shown below) and hot water. Verdict? Not bad.  I must say, it is not a favorite, but I can tolerate it - especially for good benefits.  I will try it other ways as well.  I want to try it mixed up with Aloe Vera juice, and lemon/hot water.  Others have suggested honey.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Weight Loss… How Much to Take?

Most apple cider vinegar weight loss home remedies, like the one investigated in Vermont by Dr D. C. Jarvis, M.D., call for the taking of one or two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water before each meal. 

Patricia Bragg recommends adding 1 or 2 teaspoons of raw honey to this mixture.

Whichever way you take it, don't expect a rapid weight loss, the weight will be lost gradually, as it should be to allow the body's fat cells to adjust to their new size. 

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Apple Cider Vinegar and Weight Loss… How Does it Work?
It is generally believed that the nutrients, enzymes, and organic acids in apple cider vinegar cause weight reduction by acting as an appetite suppressant, by increasing your body's metabolic rate, by reducing water retention, and by helping you maintain a feeling of well being. No one is really sure how apple cider vinegar works to promote weight loss, but there is no shortage of theories.

Recent medical research has highlighted the connection between levels of insulin and weight loss. That coupled with the fact that vinegar is known to slow the rise of blood sugar after a meal leads to the suggestion that the taking of apple cider vinegar with a meal reduces the amount of insulin required to process the meal resulting in weight loss.

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Apple Cider Vinegar and Weight Loss… How Long will it Take?
D.C. Jarvis, M.D.found that apple cider vinegar was widely used for weight loss. In his popular book "Folk Medicine" he emphasized that the resulting loss of weight
was gradual but permanent. 

He spent many years practicing medicine in Vermont and observing the effects of home remedies used throughout the green mountains. 

As a general rule, from numerous observations, he found that a woman of average height weighing 210 pounds will weigh 180 pounds after 2 years if she takes 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water at each meal.

That's 15 pounds weight loss a year, with no change in daily food intake, except avoiding excessively fatty foods.

Day 161 - Sweet Things

So, my sweet and amazing husband made this fabulous pumpkin bar thing by Krusteaz.  It was awesome.  I have never had anything like that before, and honestly - prior to this challenge, I never would have tried it.  It was super yummy.  The nutritional info is not horrible if you stick to just one square inch (1 serving).  The ingredients are not remotely clean.  This led me to do a search for something similar that maybe I could make that would be clean.  I found something at The Gracious Pantry ... the recipe will be at end.

Meanwhile, I also tried a new kind of sugar.  I am trying to avoid any and all artificial sweeteners.  Sugar is not a trigger food for me, and I do not really have a problem with sugar - but when I do need it - I want something as clean as possible.  I found something called Organic Turbinado Sugar.  I have never heard of this before, but it was on clearance for half price, so I got some.  The ingredients are organic raw cane sugar.  Simple enough.  It was fine.  Again, I don't need it a lot - but it is good for serving a purpose.

Clean Eating Pumpkin Spice Protein Bars  (Makes 15 bars)

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups quick oats (the 3 minute kind)
1 cup peanut butter (I use creamy)
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup pumpkin (I used canned and organic)
1/2 cup apple sauce (unsweetened)
1 cup whey protein powder
2 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice (no sugar added)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 1 – Roast your oats for 10-15 minutes on a cookie sheet (Or until they turn a nice golden brown). Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

Step 2 – Mix all ingredients in a bowl.

Step 3 – Spread dough to 1/2 inch thickness in a baking dish or 1/2 sized cookie sheet.

Step 4 – Bake for 20 minutes or until the dough has a nice golden brown appearance.

Step 5 – Allow to cool. Slice into bars and store in a Tupperware container or Ziploc bag.

Day 160 - Clif KidZ Bar - Full Moon Brownie

I tried this organic bar today - not a big fan.  It is suppose to be a full moon brownie thing with white chocolate chips and whole grains in it - - suppose to be good for energy.  No High Fructose Corn Syrup - that's always good.  About 130 grams, 3.5 grams of fat.  Only 3 grams of protein.   I don't think I'll get another one.  My son, who usually likes everything, takes a big bite -and then spits it out in the trash.  Ummm, not a good sign.  Luckily, I had already done my own taste test.

I'm not feeling great today, well this afternoon rather.  Not entirely sure what is going on, but I suspect it may be allergy related.  I also got my first mosquito bite of the season.  Woo Hoo (NOT).

Have a good evening.  Think I'll just relax and watch NCIS tonight.  Maybe a nice neighborhood walk afterwards with the honey hubby.

Day 159 - Broccoli and Lasagna

Well, I have tried lasagna before in this blog adventure, but didn't like it very much - - and certainly never integrated it into my diet.  I tried it again tonight.  Tonight's was much better.  I actually had 3 or 4 bites.  I kept taking bites trying to get my toddler to eat it, because sometimes if MOMMY will eat it, then he will.  No dice, he wasn't having any part of it.  He was far too fascinated with the garlic bread anyway.  No, I did not eat garlic bread.

On the side, we had broccoli and cheese.  I must say, I hate even the smell of broccoli.  My husband had the idea that maybe with the cheese I would like it.  Nope, sorry - hated it.  I must confess, I only had a very small little bite.  That was it, I was done.    But man oh man, I need to like broccoli.


Broccoli is high in vitamin C, as well as dietary fiber; it also contains multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and small amounts of selenium. A single serving provides more than 30 mg of Vitamin C and a half-cup provides 52 mg of Vitamin C.  Broccoli also contains the compound glucoraphanin, which can be processed into an anti-cancer compound sulforaphane.  Broccoli is also an excellent source of indole-3-carbinol, a chemical which boosts DNA repair in cells and appears to block the growth of cancer cells.

However; get this .. the benefits of broccoli are greatly reduced if the vegetable is boiled.  SO maybe the trick is to learn to like it raw.  Maybe I could blend it up into a smoothie?   Who knows - please advise me on how to get this super powerful vegetable into my queasy body.

Day 158 - Tortellini

Anyone who has been following me knows I've never been a big pasta person.  Heck, I have a hard time eating pizza.  Tonight; however, we had Tortellini for dinner, and I decided I would give it a try.  It took me a bit of time to gather up the courage, but I finally did eat a bite. Then another bite.  Woo Hoo - two bites.  Of course, I had a third.  Then I stopped.  It is pretty good.  I'm not in love, not going to wake up craving it or anything, but definitely doable.  One of my sons decided he likes his tortellini mixed with crackers.  Maybe that would help actually, make it not so gooey or something.

So YAY for tortellini ... would be very open and happy to receive any home-made recipes, or clean recipes, for this type of dish.

Day 157 - Lemon Zest Luna Bar

So, have you ever tasted something, and at first thought you loved it, and then after a few minutes, realized you don't like it at all?   That is what happened to me tonight with the Lemon Zest Luna Bar.  I thought for sure I would like it okay.  For a minute, I thought I did, but then I didn't at all.  I gave some to my daughter, and she told me it tasted like butt.  That started a whole other conversation; but bottom line - she hated it.  It is not 'clean' at all, lots of ingredients in tiny print on shiny paper, tried to take a pic but it didn't come out at all.

On another note; I got some good deals at yard sales this morning.  I do not get to go 'yard saling' very often, but my daughter and I hit a few good ones today.  My iron had broken, so I got a great new one for $2.00 ... and got some shoes for my toddler, and some skateboards for fun activity.  My daughter is quite the artist and we some unopened canvasses for her art - very cheap.  My steal of the day though was a stability ball and a DVD to go with it - for a stability ball workout.  So excited.  Since we will be putting our gym membership on hold starting November 1st, I need all kinds of creative ideas for working out at home.  My biggest challenge now will be to keep my daughter OFF my ball !

Day 156 - Golden Raisins, Croissants

I'm not feeling that great today, not sure if it is allergies or what.   The energy has just evaporated and I feel like I ran a marathon or something, but surely did not.

First, I tried golden raisins.  To me, they do not taste any different than regular raisins.  Raisins is something of a new thing for me.  My entire life I wouldn't go near them.  If a cookie or a muffin or something had raisins in it, then forget it.  However; in this new foods adventure, I tried raisins, and even yogurt covered raisins, and determined that they are not evil.  They are even okay.  I liked the raisins today too.  I think if I just keep introducing them to myself, I'll get more and more use to them, and maybe they can be another go-to snack.

Tonight, my husband made croissants with dinner.  I know this is probably hard to believe, my own husband barely believed it, but I have never eaten a croissant.  At least I have no memory of such.  So I tried one.  Boy oh boy, I loved it.  How in the world did I never eat one of these things?  Yummy on a napkin.  Anyway, I realize I do not need to love bread, so I only ate one.  Definitely stopped at one.  Should probably have stopped at just a bite, but man it was good.

Have a good weekend.

Day 155 - Oatmeal Creation

So, in my attempt to make an oatmeal creation of my own, that was a little different, here is what I tried.  I used steel cut oats, cinnamon, skim milk, agave nectar, natural peanut butter, ground flax seed and water obviously.  I didn't really measure, I just kind of threw it together in a pot.

I must say - it was pretty darn good.  I will definitely keep playing around with creations and amounts.  Next time, maybe some fruit??  I'm envisioning chopped apples or blueberries or blackberries maybe? I know I heard recently that it is better to buy the flax seed whole and grind it up yourself like in a coffee grinder, but I don't have that and I had to work with what I've got - and I've already got a bag of ground flax seed.  Definitely something to remember for the future though.

Day 154 - Crushed Tomatoes

So, we all know how I have spoken before about my complete aversion to tomatoes, and how the thought of eating one just makes me want to hurt.  Today, I took a baby step.  I ate a spoon full of crushed tomatoes.  Now, granted they were from a can - - but baby steps, people!   I didn't die.  Amazing, I didn't even hurl.  I was not overly impressed and was not salivating for more, but it was okay.  I do realize that the crushed tomatoes would likely have been more appealing had they been hot, like in the soup.  One of these days, before the challenge is done, I will have to put an actual raw/real tomato in my mouth.  I should probably video the experience and YouTube it or something.   Lord knows it will be a memorable moment for this mama.  Memorable, indeed.

Then, I proceeded to make my Tomato Bean Soup in the crock pot as I have done before with kidney beans.  I liked it okay.  I was not in love - but definitely okay.  I added a little bit of onion flakes to the mix this time, whereas I did not do that before.  It was a big hit with the family.  YAY for crock pots.

Hope you're having a happy hump day!

Day 153 - Three Bean Salad

So today, I was offered some 'three bean salad'.  I have no idea what that is, have never made it in my life, and was pretty clueless.  But I have had some fair luck with beans, so I thought I would give it a try.  Sorry I did not get  a pic.

YUK!  Hated it  ...sorry - - took more than a bite and definitely not going to be a favorite.  It had kidney beans, green beans and yellow beans.  What the heck are yellow beans?  I don't even know.  It also had peppers and onions in it - probably also part of the problem.   Not sure about the dressing, but it had a strong vinegar flavor.  I hate vinegar.  I realize it was pretty bold of me to try this - but it was free and it was offered, so I took a chance.   I do like kidney beans.  Maybe there is another kind of bean salad out there this girl could try at another time.

I also had some upsetting things happen to me today - got me all in an uproar.  Not in the best of mood.  I am thinking I need to take up kickboxing.

Day 152 - Enchiladas

Well, I have never been too big a fan of Mexican food anyway, but tonight we made Enchiladas for the family, so I knew I had to take a bite.  I actually was pretty optimistic about it, was thinking I could at best tolerate it pretty good.  I hated it.  Yep, hated it.  I had to quickly eat something else to get the taste out of my mouth.  Oh well, everyone else liked the Enchiladas pretty well (most anyhow).  I know these are not overly healthy anyway, so it is not likely a big loss on my part.

Meanwhile, I had a fun and active day - pretty darn productive if I do say so myself.  The weather was gorgeous and I enjoyed some play time outside with my kids.  Just have to share a cute picture of my youngest son, who has now determined he needs a BIGGER bike.

Day 151 - Pomegranate Fruit

So, I am thinking that I got a bad pomegranate, or perhaps it is not ripe.  I have really liked all things that are flavored 'pomegranate', tea, bars and applesauce, etc.  I bought this fresh fruit today - and my daughter cut it up for us.  Look at the photo and you tell me if it looks right.  She said it did not look right.  It definitely did not taste right.  I have another one, and we're going to wait a few days and see if that one is any better.  Thomas, my six year old taster, was also not impressed.