• Kids up
• Breakfast made
• Puss n Boots dvd in while I clean up breakfast
• off in the double stroller for a much needed mommy exercise hour
• then back home, little brother takes his am nap
• etc…etc…etc…

Today was a little different in the fact that I decided to take them on a run up to the top of the damn. I have run this my entire life and am pretty accustomed to its hills…aka “heart attack hill.”

Typically I have run it with just one child, not two. So today, after 7 weeks of intense P90X workouts, I thought I would take my morning routine up a notch.

Running the damn this morning was probably the hardest workout I have ever done….and let me tell you P90X workouts are NOT a walk in the park.

The BOB Duallie is by far the Cadillac of all running strollers. As a stroller aficionado I can make this claim. It glides on pavement, trails, sand like no other.

But the hills and the rocky terrain do not make running with kids in a stroller any easier.

Pushing two kids weighing 60lbs and the 34lb weight of the stroller was a tough and grueling run to say the least.

But what really amazed me today was that I actually could do it. People on their walks and runs were passing me and congratulating me.

One lady said, “You are bad ass, mom!”

Another man told me, “You are my hero.”

And even another mom with her single BOB stuck out her hand for a high 5 and said, “Way to go!”

Seriously, did this really happen to ME this morning? Did these strangers realize how much power there encouragement meant?

I ran down the hill with the hugest smile on my face and felt so empowered. I really could do this.

No…wait… I was doing this. I ran the two incredibly steep hills and made it to the top without dying!

When I got back to the car, I couldn’t help myself but to capture the overwhelming feeling of, accomplishment.

I did it….and I’ll do it again!

Today’s Mmm is involving the little tykes.

Do you find yourself at the end of dinner time feeling like a slave to the kitchen?

Are you scratching your head in disbelief that once again you are making separate meals for the kids and for you and your husband?

Recently I decided to put a kabash on the whole cooking separate meals. Everyone is going to eat what I prepare.

Period.

Starve if you don’t like it. This mommy is tired of always cooking  and being in the kitchen.

Instead I’ll be cooking up a meal for the entire family that will be meatless, provide nutrients like Vit C with out the preservatives and additives in traditional mac n cheese.

Cauliflower Mac n Cheese

Ingredients

Serves 8

Kosher salt, as needed, plus 1/2 teaspoon

Vegetable oil spray

1 large head cauliflower, cut into small florets

3/4 cup heavy cream

2 ounces cream cheese, cut into small pieces

1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, plus ½ cup for topping the casserole

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.  Bring a large pot of water to a boil, seasoning the water with salt.  Spray an 8×8 baking dish with vegetable oil spray.

Cook the cut cauliflower in the boiling water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.

Drain well and pat between several layers of paper towels to dry.  Transfer the cauliflower to the baking dish and set aside.

Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan and then whisk in the cream cheese and mustard, continuously whisking until smooth.

Stir in the 1 1/2 cups of cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and whisk just until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes.  Remove the sauce from the heat, pour over the cauliflower, and stir all to combine.

Top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese and bake until browned and bubbly hot, about 15 to 20 minutes.  Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

I have made it for the kids before and they loved it! They were clueless it contained a vegetable!

Fast forward, now a parent of two I ponder religion and what it means for my children. Mainly I think that its better to have a solid belief system than to have a prefabricated set of standards. I would rather choose my way of living, but the manner in which I live it should be based on some solid beliefs.

• Be kind to nature
• Be kind to others
• Think of others before thinking of yourself
• Don’t be judgmental
• Live with humor
• Help those who truly need it
• Be wise
• Read
• Educate

Hopefully all else will fall into place smoothly.

As Easter Sunday approaches us and my daughter is doing twirls around the idea that the Easter bunny is coming and hiding eggs full of candy, I ponder the true meaning of Easter. I do know it was a time of resurrection, but to actually be able to sit down and tell my children the whole story saddens me.

As of now, all she knows is a commercialized holiday full of candy and bunnies and a big barbecue with family. I guess I can’t really blame her, but I wish that I could warp myself back to my schooling when I sat in religious class doodling on the dittos we were handed.

Gosh, I wish I payed more attention!

Easter bunny? Please bring me some books so I can educate my kids on the true meaning of Easter. No offense.

What does Easter mean to you? How will your family celebrate on Sunday?

• To eat chocolate like its the last thing you will ever eat

• To cry over your last bite of chocolate

• That routine is perfectly good and not boring

• Telling your mom “I love you” when it is not expected will forever warm her heart
• To remember to listen to all the rambling verses because soon they too will pass and become full, coherent sentences with purpose
• That loving your brother is always unconditional

•  It’s all about quality time playing together that keeps them happy

• Becoming BIG can be filled with highs and lows all in a matter of a milisecond
• Watching her love on her daddy will always be a precious site

• First pig tails have to be documented
  
• Life passes us by so quickly and every second must be held on to as if its going to be the last

 I will forever love you kids

This post was part of Mama Kat’s writers workshop

I’ve heard some days siblings wish they were an only child and other days they love the companionship.

Today was one of those days where I could capture their happiness with each other.

I also stopped to admire their beautiful faces.

I can not say how happy I am to have two kids. Watching their bond form during this little time they have shared makes me weep at just the thought.

I’m particpating in Wordless Wednesday. Check out some of my favorite bloggers.

Live and Love Outloud, 5 Minutes For Mom, Angry Julie Monday, Better In Bulk

Don’t these look amazing?

March madness has happened. If you haven’t been living and breathing college ball like I am…then I wish I lived with you!

Since zucchs are in season right now and pretty abundant at the market I decided to make these.

I also think these would be great appetizer food at your next sports game.

Ingredients:

• zucchinis
• olive oil
• shaved parmesan cheese
• Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• basil
• tomatoes
• red onions (I added these)

Grease lightly a baking sheet with olive oil or Pam and preheat your oven to 350. Depending on how many guests your cooking for (figure 1 zucchini per person) slice each zucch long ways. Drizzle with olive oil, add sliced tomatoes and add sliced basil. In a separate bowl mix 1/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs with 1/4 cup shaved park cheese. Then sprinkle over the top of zuuchs and bake. Bake for 20-30 minutes until zucchinis are slightly toasted and cheese is melted. If you like it cheesy like me, add mozzarella.

My 3 year old and my 10 month old are at the age where they semi play together. Or maybe I should say that Moose (the 10 month old) always wants to be where his sister is and she always wants to be where he isn’t. For the most part that isn’t true, except today was one of those days. I think I heard her say, “No Moose, NO!” about 1,456,4567 times.

How could she say no to this guy?

But what really made me laugh at him was how persistent he was at chasing after her in his walker.

I couldn’t help but laugh. It then dawned on me that it was starting…the next stage…the provoking little sibling.

You give me joy, you bring me to my knees laughing and you give me tears when I think of how my little baby is growing leaps and bounds by the minute.

To prove this to me, you picked out your own outfit today and got dressed all by yourself.

You were also quick to point out with a smile, “I don’t need you mom.” Somehow she knows this line gets me every time. (sniff, sniff)

You are such a big girl!

I’m particpating in Wordless Wednesday. Check out some of my favorite bloggers.

Live and Love Outloud, 5 Minutes For Mom, Angry Julie Monday, Better In Bulk

I instantly turn my nose up to any form of the word casserole. To me it means, gooey, saucy, bland, not good. Since it was all veggies and I needed something new for Meatless Monday I thought I would look the other way and make it…..

I have never tasted anything so delicious. It is amazing. The roasted vegetable flavor is bursting with flavor.

And it’s-

Not gooey

Not saucey

Not bland

Goodness.

This recipe is from Food Network’s Giada De Lauretiis.

Tomato Vegetable Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 medium potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 medium yam, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced into rings
• 2 small or 1 large zucchini, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces
• Salt and pepper
• 2 large ripe tomatoes, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch thick slices
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan  (I used shaved parm)
• 2 tablespoons dried Italian-style bread crumbs
• Fresh basil sprigs, for garnish

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Toss the potato, yam, bell pepper, carrots, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss until coated. Spread vegetables evenly over the bottom of the pan.

Step 1: Lay all the root vegetables & pepper down first

Arrange the onion slices evenly over the vegetable mixture. Arrange the zucchini over the onion. Drizzlewith 2 tablespoons of oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Arrange the tomato slices over the zucchini.

Step 2: Layer all the vegetables leaving tomatoes till last.

Stir the Parmesan and bread crumbs in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the Parmesan bread crumbsover the vegetables in the baking dish. Drizzle with the last tablespoon of olive oil.

Stage 3: Adding the final touch--Parmesan cheese

Bake uncovered until the vegetables are tender, and the topping is golden brown, about 40 minutes.Garnish with fresh basil sprigs, if desired.

Oh my heaven!

I paired the dish with portobello mushroom filled raviolis. Little morsels of heaven.

(speechless)