Meal Prepping Adventures Continued

I first started meal planning about a year ago after realizing we are all eating dinner at the same time and it would be ridiculous to cook different meals for us and the kids.
Then we got a little more serious with our lunches and I talked about it here...
Now we have graduated because we are taking it to a whole different level.
We got a second fridge.

And can I just tell you how stupid excited I am about it? Yes? Why thank you...I need someone to tell - because it is really ridiculous how much I love this new fridge. It's not even a fancy stainless french door fancy fridge. It is a white side by side fridge with a water dispenser. First off - the water dispenser. We drink a lot of water - I mainly give my kids (and us) water at every meal...and water in their lunches. I rarely buy juice - we make our own juice (still...can you believe it?) and when I do, it's typically the unfiltered kind. So we have been working with 2 different Brittas - one we would keep in the fridge and one would be out on the counter and it is just so not convenient - not to mention takes up valuable counter space, so I am quite happy about the fridge water! This is like the boringest post ever, I understand. SOOO anyway - I wouldn't even entertain thoughts of a fridge since we rent, but then we started discussing how we could move the other fridge in the garage and totally up our meal planning game...it is pretty awesome.

So now that the weather is cooling down I am pinning all kinds of freezer meals/crockpot meals - make ahead type meals because making dinner at breakfast feels like you chest bumped the day. My kids turn evil whenever it is time I need to make dinner and I fear our neighbors think our kids are killing each other every day around 5:30 since they just seem to cry and scream and whine REALLY loud in the backyard.

Back to the point...I wanted to post some of the things we are doing in case you are interested in trying it out - it does take a chunk of time, but it will save you money, dishes, thoughts, and eventually stress, which will make your skin shine and your hair silky...I swear meal planning should pay me...i am a born spokeswoman.

So here are some of the lunches we have done- we have also used them for dinners, depending on the day and the plans.

1. Chicken, Quinoa, Asparagus - Chicken cooked in bulk, Quinoa cooked in bulk, Asparagus blanched
2. Stuffed Peppers We leave the peppers raw and stuff it with a mix of ground turkey and assorted veggies chopped up real fine - when it is time to eat, we either eat them raw (bryan) or cook them at 350 for 15 minutes (carlee)
3. Lettuce Wraps - We use artisan greens from Costco - they are like baby romaines and bryan makes an asian stir fry of ground turkey, brussel sprouts, asparagus, etc. I like to top mine with non-fat greek yogurt mixed with Siracha
4. Tofu, Veggie Scramble - Bryan found the food processor chopper today and it changed his life. He chopped up a costco size bag of brussel sprouts and asparagus and a huge tub of mushrooms - he did a quick flash cook of the veggies seasoned up nice and cooked 3 packages of firm tofu at once. For half of the lunches he did a scramble and we added quinoa, for the other half he stuffed peppers with them.

I had the original goal (back in July) to do it at least once a month. Bryan has been the real reason this is successful, but we have been able to do it most of the months - i would say 3/4 weeks

As far as dinners - we have taken a little time adjusting to the new school/sports schedule, but with the weather turning, I am exciting to soup/roast it up again.

I recently pinned this and am excited to do this with a couple friends next month. The thought of having 12 meals done in one night is stupid how thrilling it is to me.

And let me just say - you do not need a second fridge to do this...we have only had one and have not had a problem...we are just excited to up our game with freezer meals, etc.

I hope this inspires anyone who lacks meal planning skills, because - listen - that is MEEEE!!! but this has seriously helped my family in a small way and so I wanted to share some inspiration, ideas and recipes - please do the same if you feel so inclined!

Zoodie Shop Updates

I have started to get my fall orders trickling in and thought I would update my update. I DID raise prices...however, I also lowered some prices too! I added a SALE!!! Collection, Which, I know...was not the point...but really some of them have been sitting around for a while and they really want homes to go to. Because zoodies are not happy sitting on hangers...they want to be worn and loved and played in. It's depressing seeing them all hanging there!  

So check out THE SHOP and see what all is going on!

Oh, and The Warehouse Mouse Zoodie (pictured above) is not in the shop...but I had to post this pic of my little Bodie O...because how cute is he? Those lips! ack...he is just the cutest...okay...sorry about that.

Zoodie Prices Go Up in 1 Week!!! Get them NOW!

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I hate raising prices...I seriously am the worst business owner ever because I constantly undermine my value because I hate charging prices I wouldn't pay myself for something. And if we are being honest, I wish I could just give them away...but then my credit card bills would start screaming at me...But, recently I was sort of busted that I was charging $4 less for my zoodies than what an American Apparel sweatshirt would cost ALONE! so basically I have not been charging anything for my time or materials...sooooo...I was politely asked to raise the prices. I told them I would do it first thing in September, so this is your last chance - Don't say I didn't warn you! If you were planning on these as Christmas gifts, better order what is in stock now! (Custom Orders or orders that aren't already made will be priced differently)

To start your order - CLICK HERE

Daybook Entry - August

(This entry is inspired by The Simple Woman's Daybook)

Outside my window...Beautiful end of summer weather. It has been on that cusp of changing into cooler evenings and chilly mornings. Loving it! 

I am thinking...a lot about the future...

I am thankful...for a wonderful week of get togethers with old friends and new friends and forever friends!

In the kitchen...my wonderful husband made me an amazing salad for dinner...also leftovers ALL week!

I am wearing...leggings and a dress - it was officially chilly this morning!

I am creating...zoodies and home decor - a renewed interest in making parts of my home beautiful that have bothered me for far too long!

I am going...to make the most of the last couple weeks of summer!

I am wondering...what is in store the next couple of weeks with THREE kids in school for the first time!

I am reading...Insurgent by Veronica Roth - a YA dystopian book to successfully distract me

I am hoping...to find a rhythm rather quickly with our new school year!

I am looking forward to...Fall! and all it brings, holidays, birthdays, chillier weather, soup! Chili! 

I am learning...to sloooooow down...or trying at least!

Around the house...signs of a good weekend!

Summer Journal Entry - Marine Vista Park

Marine Vista Park is like a second home - whether it's farmers market, or soccer/baseball/golf practice, or just a place to let the littles out during errand runs to get the crazy out...we frequent this park...uhh..frequently, ha! It is getting more challenging with their different ages taking them to a park where all 3 are entertained. Right now the biggest success of doing that is taking them to a skate park. But just a regular park with grass and a playground isn't too exciting for my almost-eight-year-old.  I need to be creative with that one - pack a scooter/skateboard/fishing rod or in the case of yesterday, a boomerang. the boomerang was fun while it lasted, but he got it taken away for a year because he did what he did with it the first time he got it (after several lectures of exactly where and how to throw it) and it came super close to hitting people sitting on a bench. he felt super bad and knew immediately he was in trouble. i just don't know with this kid sometimes...its not defiance...its more of an attitude that he makes his own rules or something...like he already knows better than you...like a teenager...not sure if its an oldest child thing, or a distinctly bryson thing, but he is definitely receiving the bulk of our parenting energy these days. 

To see Bryson's Post on the Park, Click HERE

Summer Journal Entry - The O.C. Fair

Another childhood tradition - the o.c. fair. We go every year - my husband is such a good sport (see last picture) he is the designated ride go-on-er and always with a smile. He is also the best at carny games - I try to deter the games because I loathe stuffed animals (so mean, huh? well have your family get lice 3 times and tell me you still love them). We have a few things we usually do every year - we have to do the photo booth, we have to get some gross fair food (i had a corn dog for the first time in a loooong time and LOVED it...only at the fair!) we have to see the animals and we have to visit the carnival of products...or what is it called? the place where the people do the demonstrations of the knives and sham-wow and things...that is bryan's favorite part. Mine is the craft building of course...but it's not enjoyable with kids to me, so I will wait till they are a bit older and go when i have time to stroll around and ooh and aaah over the quilts. 

I am happy we went on a Thursday - so much more enjoyable than a weekend, but it was still pretty packed. The most unfortunate part of the day was when Bryson brought his $20 bill to play the fish game to win a fish and found out that he lost it. It must have fallen out of his pocket. Bryan had told him to get a wallet - i swear we have given that boy like 10 wallets...and he couldn't find one and he learned an important lesson...you need to be careful with your money. Episodes like this tend to ruin his entire day...he is definitely our most emotionally charged child...and he did cry and was pretty devastated, especially when I explained to him that I did not have an extra $20 to give him and no I wouldn't pay $10 for him to play the fish game, especially when you can go buy a beta fish for $4...but also because we don't need a fish...but he pulled through and was able to change his attitude and I was so proud...progress people! 

To See Bryson's Post on the Fair, Click HERE

Summer Journal Entry - The Lake Bed in Yorba Linda

I grew up in an older part of Yorba Linda where it was completely normal to see someone riding a horse to 7-11 and a peacock in your backyard that had escaped from the neighbor's aviary. There is an old lakebed near the house I grew up in and it has trails all around- popular for horses and was our favorite spot to ride bikes. I remembered there being a clearing at one point and people (probably my brother and his friends) built up ramps to jump, etc. We walked around a while and I could not find them anywhere...I think all the brush grew up where they were...not sure, but a second inspection is indeed needed! Next time I go will be earlier in the day when the boys are fresher and perhaps not such a hot day either! They had such a blast though - the second we got there they just took off - such freedom they rarely get biking in our urban neighborhood- their freedom and energy was inspiring, especially being in a childhood spot where I remember that feeling as well. 

I walked and they rode their bikes (bobby had the balance bike) and we found a rope swing and some hills to brave down. I didn't think Bobby would attempt to go down (first mistake) so I didnt think to teach him how and sure enough, there he went and ended up basically on his stomach riding down this big hill, i thought surely he was going to eat it in a big briar patch, but somehow he made it all the way down unscathed. He is my Mr. Magoo I tell you! At one point we found a shady spot to eat our lunch. I got the willies as I remembered all the ghost stories we used to tell about this place and hearing a big scuffle in a nearby bush. I don't normally get nervous or afraid even hiking or running on trails, but definitely felt vulnerable sitting there and another feeling from childhood washed over me.

Some of my favorite memories with my boys are just exploring areas like this. I pack them away in my special memory chest in my heart because not every day is filled with these kind of memories, especially a day like yesterday as I was cleaning poop off of the seat in my sister's car after an unfortunate bobby blow out...so it is times like these I want to remember forever. The freedom, the exploration, the wonder of the smallest insect and the thrill of a rope swing.

To See Bryson's Post on the Lake Bed, Click HERE

Summer Journal Entry - Adventure Playground Huntington Beach

The entire time I was at this place I couldn't help but be transported back to my childhood. My backyard...the wood pile, the treehouses, the mud...ahhh...such sweet memories and now the mom in me is like, what were my parents thinking letting us run around in wood piles and rusty nails and black widows...

The boys loved it, but mainly just the building part - they had no interest in the mud slide or the mud/raft portion of the playground. We did manage to get them to go down the mudslide, which consisted of a tarp-like thing draped down a hill while someone squirted your child with a hose and then they land in a big muddy puddle. i think it sounds cooler than it was? perhaps...my second child almost cried after, but they were fine and went back to happily building. Every child received a hammer and 3 nails (your kids have to be 5+ to go - i left bobby at home BTW) and if you are over 8 years old you can use a saw. we had to get going and they were so upset to leave - they really could have stayed another few hours, but i promised them they could build in our backyard, so that worked. the rest of the afternoon was spent by bodie nailing nails into a piece of wood happily and bryson trying to build his own treehouse. I love places like this that inspire them on their own. if I suggested they do that, it wouldn't be as cool, surely. 

To see Bryson's Post on Adventure Playground, click HERE

Summer Journal Entry - carbon canyon regional park

He has been taking his (my) rod everywhere and always attracts a little following of older boys at every place we go! 

Bobby...always on the edge...always...sigh

He will do this all day if he could!

Last monday I took the boys to Carbon Canyon Regional Park. I haven't been to that park since I was younger, and I knew Bryson would appreciate the lake. And I had it in my memory that the lake wasn't gross duck poop everywhere lake, like so many around our area...and I am glad I made the trek. We could have easily spent a few more hours there - and I was wishing I brought a book and a blanket because I just parked between bryson fishing at the lake and the two littles playing on the HUGE playground (there are actually 4 playgrounds all close to each other). Parking was $3 - but other than that we had a pretty cheap day! Bryson didn't catch anything, so he was a little bummed (i think he expects he is going to catch a fish every time...i told him if that were the case they would call it "catching" not "fishing" - he didn't get it)

I also brought scooters and bodie's bike and they enjoyed finding all the hills to bomb. It was a pretty park - well maintained and lots of shade. Definitely would go back if we find ourselves in the area again!

To See Bryson's Post on Carbon Canyon: CLICK HERE

Summer Journal Entry - Huntington Library and Gardens

I have a cousin (second or third cousin really, but we don't try to overthink it) from Sweden and he and his wife and their precious daughter Kajsa live in Pasadena. His wife is the one with the work visa, so my cousin is the stay at home dad! My sister and I took the trek up to San Marino to visit the Huntington Library and Gardens to hang out with them and enjoy the beautiful gardens.

I had not been here for a while and I realized as I was there that I should probably not go again without back-up...or maybe even better...without kids. I just couldn't get them to stroll and look at the gardens and not RUN EVERYWHERE and get completely soaked in the children's garden. And also that children's garden - so cute! but so frustrating with three boys who take off in opposite directions ALL THE TIME. (the place is a maze of sorts) Definitely felt a bit out of control that day and at one point i just sat down in the mist room and put my head in my hands and sent a little prayer up to God to please let them calm down for a minute. It was one of those desperate moments. At times I feel like I am this crazy mom and everyone else is able to control their kids but me...but then I was looking around the garden and it was all moms of like one toddler...so I felt a little better - that I was actually braving it with three boys...three very active boys. and maybe one day some of them will be in my shoes and a little less judgmental with their looks...

Anyway, despite that - they did enjoy the Japanese garden and sat and watched the koi fish for like a minute or two...so I could almost relax..if you call holding the back of bobby's shirt every time he got close to the water relaxing. Plus it was a hot day too...so by the end of the trip I was just exhausted. Seriously - next time I go back is with girlfriends - I have been there 4 times and there is still so much I haven't seen. My cousin has an annual pass and was telling us all kinds of interesting facts about the place and the original owner. It is all so fascinating. How anyone can be that wealthy is fascinating!

To See Bryson's Post on the Huntington: CLICK HERE