Crazy for Coconut Oil

It all started off innocently enough, having read about the benefits of coconut oil on a few blogs, sources, and pinterest posts here and there that when I spied a small jar of the stuff at TJ Maxx while browsing one day that I picked one up. (I've been sticking with Kelapo Extra Virgin Organic Cold Pressed Unrefined Coconut Oil - haven't tried other brands yet but do know that I love this one!)

Now, three jars later - I am hooked.

I add a tablespoon to my smoothies, I use it as lip balm, a healing ointment for wounds, lotion for dry skin, as an under eye cream for wrinkles and dark circles, as an acne cream for break outs, lessens the appearance of scars, on stretch marks, in my mug of hot tea, on itchy bug bites, in baked goods, as a base for essential oils, - love this stuff! Especially for skin it just does wonders. And I am just scratching the surface for what it can be used for.

50 of the Best Uses for Coconut Oil
80 Uses for Coconut Oil

If I go through the next jars as fast as I have the first I may start consider buying in bulk online.

Definitely worth a try if you've been meaning to do so or ever wondered about it.

Go grab a small $5.99 jar at TJ Maxx in the cooking, seasonings aisle - I now get the larger $8.99 jars - small investment for how far it goes and in so many directions. (Coconut oil can also be found at your every day grocery store - Walmart, Meijer, etc - in the cooking aisle- I have even seen a coconut oil cooking spray now.)

The only thing I haven't used coconut oil for, surprisingly, is cooking. Go figure. :)

Here's a few recipes I found here lately that sound SO GOOD that use coconut oil:

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Strawberry Coconut Chia Seed Banana Bread
Dark Chocolate Banana Bread
Frozen Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites
No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Coconut Oil Protein Bars

(this post is not sponsored by Kelapo in anyway - I just love this stuff and had to tell all my wonderful readers all about it)

Iced Coffee Concentrate with Best Boy & Co Caramel Sauce

The summer is flying by! With vacations, summer colds, family reunions and now a summer sinus infection for mommy - it's been a rough ride lately.

One nice (and easy) thing I've managed to keep in the fridge for a quick and tasty little pick-me-up for both my husband and I (more sparingly for me since I am preggo with baby #2) is this great iced coffee concentrate mix. 

I've tried different mixes/concoctions in the past for iced coffee - some more complex than others - and honestly haven't been impressed - but this one is a breeze to whip up and tastes soooo good!

5 simple ingredients - bring to a boil - cool and you're done! Our Best Boy & Company Bourbon Barrel Caramel Sauce has a lot to do with the amazing taste - and for the next batch (our third!) I think I am going to try to go mocha and use Best Boy & Co. Hot Fudge Sauce --- yum!!

We stored our first batch - which was only a partial batch because I didn't have enough instant coffee to make a full batch - had only 1/2 a cup - in a tupperware container - see above. The next batch (full batch) I used a cleaned out and relabeled coffee creamer container - ran out of room and put another 2/3 full into a glass mason jar! Makes a lot! The pourable containers help eliminate mess - making it easier to mix up your coffee concoction. Pour, stir, enjoy!

The final product - dark yummy concentrate! 2 TB for 8 oz of milk goes a long way! And you can customize how sweet or strong you want it by using a little more or a little less.

Iced delicious-ness right there! 

(P.S. that's my favorite ceramic reusable coffee mug - 

has a little rubber lid that fits over it - not pictured - but definitely my favorite!)

This recipe is one of those Facebook timeline posted ones you come across now and again - I like to save ones I like in my Evernote account. I tried looking up the original source but it seems a little all over the place. I did trace it back here to a Pampered Chef consultant's page - Diana's Kitchen Corner via Soul of a Chef. Those Pampered Chef people are so dang clever - with their yummy recipes and their awesome products. :) (love, love, love my lime/citrus press, bag clips, icing gun, trifle dish, and spatula/scraper - and a garlic press is on it's way to me now). Funny how much you gradually accumulate over the years attending parties for friends/family here and there. 

Iced Coffee Concentrate 

1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 cup instant coffee granules
1 1/2 tps. vanilla
1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping

*Bring all ingredients to boil. Cool and store in the fridge in an airtight container. 

Use 2 tbsp. concentrate with 8 ounces of milk over ice!

Best Boy & Co on Facebook

Best Boy & Co on Twitter

A Little Indulgence: Best Boy & Co Hot Fudge Sauce Smore's

Finally getting around to posting some of the goodness we've made with the awesome Best Boy & Co sauces. I am pregnant so of course my sweet tooth is in high demand, so of course the first jar I would open would be the Hot Fudge Sauce....oh yes!

Some chocolate graham cracker squares, a handful of mini-marshmallows, a dollop of Best Boy & Co Hot Fudge sauce and quick 8-10 seconds in the microwave and walla! Join me in ooey-gooey smore heaven! :)

Goooood stuff!

Monumental Yoga 2013

So excited to take part in the first-ever summer solstice Monumental Yoga event on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis last week with a THOUSAND other yogi's and yogini's! So fun!

A coworker managed to accidentally snap a pic with me in it when they were running by - yup that would be me, the tired, preggo lady taking a breather there on the mat while everyone else is keeping up. It was pretty toasty that day.

Cannot wait to do it again next year! Here are more awesome photos from the day! 

In the meantime I need to get my butt in to the prenatal yoga classes at Peaceful Heart Yoga studio! Monday nights are hard for me to remember - and lately Matt has been working an odd schedule - so it keeps slipping my mind - need to write a BIG note on my calendar each Monday. Miss my yoga pals.

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~ Howard Thurman, Philosopher

A Little Announcement!

We're expecting another little one in November! 

Already at 21 weeks now so I have some belly bump picture catching up to do! 

Aveeno's Active Natural's Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream

My very first Influenster box featuring Aveeno's Active Natural's Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream came in the mail!  This cream has a light, refreshing scent - not overpowering at all - worked great on my sensitive skin (everything typically makes me break out or wake up with puffy, swollen eyes - ugh) - but not this cream - very light and yet effective! Everything you want in a night cream! For a great age-fighting night cream that is easy on your skin as it is your wallet - definitely give this a try! It is great! I am a bit of a night cream skeptic - so a thumbs up coming from me is huge - trust me.

Product Info: This formula of ACTIVE NATURALS® Total Soy Complex and vitamin B3, helps to reduce the appearance of discoloration, uneven tone and blotchiness, revealing healthier-looking skin, all while you sleep.

Loving the mailman this month! Best Boy and Co box of goodness

Received a wonderful box of goodies on my doorstep the other day and cannot wait to try them out!

Best Boy and Co sauces and spice blend! Yummo!

Just in time to inspire us to fire up the grill a little more often this spring/summer!

The husband is particularly intrigued with this Hot Fudge Sauce spiced with chilies!

The best thing abut Best Boy & Co is that it's local (think Indiana Artisan), all natural, & profits

from the sale of their products go to charity! Tasty and awesome all rolled into one.

Cannot wait to dig in and cook up some delicious dishes to share with you all!

http://www.

Best Boy & Co on Facebook

Best Boy & Co on Twitter

Motherhood Maternity Goodie Bag

Expecting mamas, get yourselves to Motherhood Maternity - whether you are buying something or not - and sign up for their little registry thing / gift bag. Right now it includes a $20 Shutterfly gift card, a bottle, free subscription to Parent's magazine, coupons to BuyBuy Baby and more!

Well, ok

Had heard the rumors but was hoping it wasn't true.

But this little message popped up when I went to open Google Reader today:

"Google Reader will not be available after July 1, 2013"

Good grief! Now what?? Currently undergoing the task of archiving all my subscriptions to cross over into Feedly. We will see how it goes.

:/

For reals google? For reals?? What is next? Gmail?? Blogger?? Hyperventilating! :(

2013 Easter Bunny Express

Our little miss loves trains! We have tracks that run near enough to our house that she can hear when one goes by - and loves it! For Christmas we had thought about getting tickets for the Polar Express train - but with so much going on during the holidays - we didn't.

But I just read about the White Water Valley Railroad Easter Bunny Express - and we got tickets! So excited to bring my little one up close and personal with a train! No more crying at the crossing arms asking "where's it going??" as the train whizzes by - nope! We will be ON a train! Yay! So fun!

Here's more information from off their website:

Easter Bunny Express - Saturday March 30, 2013

The 13th annual running of the Easter Bunny Express will depart from our Connersville Grand Central Station and make 4 round trips south to the Easter Bunny Patch 2 miles away. Don't forget your Basket. Come and meet the Easter Bunny and hunt for his Golden Egg. The egg hunt is open to ages 8 and under. Reservations are recommended. Prices are $9.00/person 2 and up. Train departs at 10am, 12pm, 2:30pm & 4:15pm. Train operates rain or shine.

Policies

* Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable * Trains operate, rain or shine * Tickets will be available for pick up at the Connersville Station on March 30, 2013

http://tickets.whitewatervalleyrr.org/events/view/17

http://www.traintraveling.com/events/easter-trains/midwest.html#indiana

If your little one loves trains too - there are events all year long to check out! From mother's day to Christmas and more! http://www.whitewatervalleyrr.org/excursions/


Connect with Indiana railroad info on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/indianarailroads
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Whitewater-Valley-Railroad/111349705554052

Make and Take at the IMA

Adding this to our  list of fun (free) things to do around Indy

Make and Take at the Indianapolis Museum of Art

Every Saturday in March, noon-4 pm / Every Saturday and Sunday beginning in April, 1-4 pm

Star Studio
Free

Each month drop by the Star Studio Classroom to find new art-making projects inspired by works of art on view at the IMA. Projects are designed to be accessible and fun for museum visitors of all ages and all levels of art-making experience.

March / Dot, Dot, Dot
Collage circles of transparent papers, to create a colorful two-dimensional contemporary design.

April / “Architecting” Origami
Design and build an origami home using specialty patterned papers. Visit the historic Lilly House and Gardens to learn about furnishings and decorative arts from the 1930’s.

http://www.imamuseum.org/familyactivities/make-and-take

Rear Facing Carseats Past 1 Year

Saw this new Graco Snugride Rear Facing Carseat on Cool Mom Picks! We had our little one rear-facing until she was just about two years old.

She honestly never complained about having her legs squished - which they weren't really, and all the studies and research around rear-facing accidents with older kids etc shows it is safer, etc.

But for those who were concerned about the leg-room - this might be the way to go!

Finally, a rear-facing car seat that won't squish your toddler's legs - See more at: http://www.coolmompicks.com/2013/02/graco-snugride-rear-facing-car-seat.php#sthash.wkQba3fO.dpuf

Pinterest

I just had a jaw dropping moment ya all. I don't know why or how it didn't dawn on me before or how I didn't notice this in my stats but I have stuff being pinned from my blog.

Jaw.hits.floor.

See I am humble blogger, a sometimes sorta flaky blogger - one month I blog like crazy and then the next 3 I am a no show. It's life, right? Especially with a two year old!

But wow, thanks for the love everyone! :)

Beaming blogging gal over here. :)

And for those curious - here it is - my source page! Eek!!

http://pinterest.com/source/squirrelchatter.blogspot.com/

New Airwick Scents

It isn't everyday you hear someone rave over an airwick scent. Most are pretty ho-hum if not down right awful. The safest bet is always vanilla or vanilla cookie or something along those lines. I hate when our house smells a little stale - drives me nuts. And there's a few trouble areas I like to have plug ins by - like the cat litter box or the dog crate.

I have officially found two exceptions for the run of the mill ho-hum airwick scent - oh my these are good! :)

Both are National Park Limited Editions

American Samoa Ofu Island - Sweet Coconut and Island Palms

Grand Canyon - Cactus Flower & Warm Breeze  

Both are oh so good!

Community Offerings and Opportunities

I am always pleasantly surprised to find new things happen in my community. Such an abundance of classes, events and fun things to do no matter how old or young you are. Now these opportunities may not be hitting-you-in-the-face-obvious - you sometimes have to search them out - but still very awesome. Part of the frustration and surprise. We are a get-out-and-go type of family so these are always right up our alley.

Some recent things we have found are:

• Song and Dance classes offered at one of our local community centers for 2-3 year olds
• Aquatots Swim classes for under 4 year olds at a local middle school
• Yoga Preschool Classes for 3-5 year olds at a local library
• Free Outdoor Summer Concerts
• Free Easter Egg Hunts
• Ballroom Dancing Classes
• Composting Classes

In the past we have enjoyed:

• Free gardening classes at a local library
• Free sewing classes at a local library
• Free ornament decorating session at a local library around the holiday time where Delaney and I could make and take home an ornament
• Going Green classes at a local library complete with "green" freebies like CFL lightbulbs, water reducing showerheads, outlet insulators and more!
• Adult Easter Egg Hunts
• Rentable Plots at Community Garden
• Perrenial Plant Exchanges
• The lists goes on and on!

So fun to get out of the house, meet new people, and learn something new!

Do you know about the local resources right under your own nose? Go check out your local library's and community center's or YMCA's websites (and in the next town or two over) - you might be surprised what you find!

Greenwood Community Offerings
Greenwood Library Calendar
Franklin Community Offerings
Franklin Library Calendar
Indianapolis Libraries' Calendar

Monday Meal Plan

Ok, so here it goes my sad attempt at a meal plan. :) I think we are finally to the point of using up the random leftovers in the fridge that we can think about actually making a few dinners again. :)


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Monday: Ravioli Filling Stuffed Shells with Marinara Sauce
(finally using up leftover ravioli stuffing from the heart shaped ravioli I made on Valentine's Day)

Husband is Home Tuesday: Crock Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup
(we have had this once and loved it - well over-due for a second attempt - will try to add the rice in a little later into the cooking process so it doesn't over cook and crumble into bits like last time)

Wednesday: The Worlds Best Chicken and Salad with Oriental Dressing (apple bee's copycat recipe)

Thursday:  Leftovers
(Will either be a date night due to an awards ceremony or an eat at home might if the husband has to work)

Friday: Chicken Parmesan Wraps or Coconut Crusted Chicken Tenders -- with more salad

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Crockpot Beef Stroganoff or Marsala Chicken & Mushroom Casserole

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Recipes on the Rack: Recent recipes I have found and saved away to try.
Marsala Chicken & Mushroom Casserole
Chicken Marsala
Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
The World's Best Chicken
Coconut Crusted Chicken Tenders
Enchilada Pie
Chicken Parmesan Wraps
Oooey Gooey Cheesesteak Sandwiches

Possible Repeats: Good enough to try again and sounds good
Taco Stew
Black Bean Quesadillas

Stuff we need to use up: 
Hamburger buns leftover from a fantasy baseball draft the husband went to (maybe homemade sloppy joes??)
Pulled Pork - will get frozen for later probably
Half a jar marinara sauce
Half a jar spaghetti sauce
Half a package wonton wrappers
3/4 block of Fontina Cheese
Lettuce

Freezer Meal Items Stashed Away:
1/2 a pan of cut into single servings homemade lasagna
Tortellini Soup
Pizza Crust

Meal Plan Confession/Phobia

While I love the idea and love seeing what are on other bloggers' meal plans...I am not good at doing my own...for one I never stick do it...like not even remotely close. A lot of reasons factor into this - life in general being the main one. :)

Some crazy event occurs and we end up having to run around town, or my husband is home and wants to make something totally different or suddenly whatever on the meal plan doesn't sound appetizing at all, or my little one falls asleep on my lap after we get home from daycare/work and I cannot move for fear of her waking in a grumpy awful mood, or she is already in a grumpy awful mood and the meal plan requires too much prep to do while holding/entertaining a toddler  - so pizza goes in the oven or we eat leftovers.

And really we somehow always have to many left overs when I attempt a meal plan - maybe because we are just a family of 3 yet and the #3 is only 2yr and doesn't consume that much of dinner yet - so cooking different meals every night of the week for 2.5 or really like 2 1/4 essentially...yields lots of leftovers that we either eat every single night of week it feels like (and still have some leftover) or we freeze a portion of it for later use...(i.e. we forget it about it and then realize one day that we have 4 months of leftovers stocked up in the freezer and won't need to cook at all for 2 weeks straight). :)

For us a meal plan goes something like this.

Sunday: Make Something for Dinner
Monday: Leftovers
Tuesday: Make Something for Dinner
Wednesday: Leftovers
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Frozen Pizza/Wild Card Night

For reals.

But seriously I LOVE other people's meal plans - they give me so many ideas for what to do for dinner - love the internet for that! :)

Here are a few of my favorite meal plan resources: (besides Pinterest)

Queen of Free
http://www.queenoffree.net/2013/02/monday-meal-plan-2-10-13/

Amy's Finer Things
http://amysfinerthings.com/menu-plan-week-of-february-17

At Home with Kim Vallee
http://athome.kimvallee.com/2013/02/weekly-meal-planner-week-6/


I keep my recipes organized in evernote - it is a truly awesome tool!

King Arthur Flour Sweet Victory Challenge at the National Maple Syrup Festival Ticket Giveaway!

To celebrate ramping my blog back up here in the last couple of weeks I am giving away 2 bracelets for entry to the upcoming King Arthur Flour Sweet Victory Challenge at the National Maple Syrup Festival in Medora, Indiana - taking place during weekends in March! Sweet, huh?!

I have always wanted to go - such a great excuse to get out the house for an awesome family outing (there's a petting zoo, we'll get to learn how syrup is made, eat some awesome food and so much more!)  as the weather starts to warm up for spring and who doesn't like maple syrup?? Especially the real stuff.

Here's a little more info: (the tickets are good for either weekend)

http://nationalmaplesyrupfestival.com/



The 2013 National Maple Syrup Festival will take place during the first two weekends in March:
Saturday, March 2nd and Sunday, March 3rd
Saturday, March 9th and Sunday, March 10th


The festival is located at:


Burton’s Maplewood Farm

8121 W. County Rd. 75 South


Medora, IN 47260

View in Google Maps

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cute Toothpaste for Kids

Jack n Jill Natural Toothpaste

This is cute - that is all :)

P.S. Upon further investigation they have a really awesome little toothbrush that we are going to try out for our toddler - will see if it helps with the terrible toothbrushing time we experience every night.

Valentine's Week Activities for a Toddler

I scoured the web and found a handful of Valentine's Day activities that caught my eye enough to want to tackle with my toddler (2 yr old) this week. :)

Here is what made it onto my list for this year!

(from Babble.com)
Valentine's Day Thumbprint Cards
- ink from Joann for $2.49 / paper on hand

Thumbprint Valentine's
(from BlissfulandDomestic)
- includes printable template

Paper Tube Love Bug
(From Sheknows.com)
-for use up some of all the toilet paper rolls I have been saving up :)

Lollipop Flowers
- From spoonful.com

Valentine Lollipop Butterflies
- From Skiptomylou


And the grand finale!!!

Bird seed hearts!
- from intimateweddings