food from the heart.

You know what I love about my cooking? knowing I am making something healthy and and tasty, that is something I can be proud of. I love cooking from scratch. I really love to try new things and experiment with what I have in my house, something I am doing more and more, it makes me feel like I am instilling a love of real food in my children, even if they don't always eat it. I have been going through my cook books and just picking out meals that sound good and putting them on that weeks dinner list. I have made a  few things that were good but likely won't be made again, but who cares, I tried something new and it was healthy. I have really been into soups lately, which is odd cause I don't really like store bought canned soup, but it is different then homemade soup or restaurant soup. tonight I am making baked potato and ham soup, hoping it turns out well because it sounds amazing.

Conclusion, It was amazing. I think one of the best soups I have made in a while. 

Dressing up

As a girl I love to get dressed up and party once in a while. This last week I was in a fashion show at a local club, here are some pictures. Originally we were going to model clothes from a local shop but they backed out, so that is my outfit, it may look like something I have shown in the past... :) So we showed off my favorite salon. Salon Surreal. Hair, tan and makeup all done there. 

Getting my makeup done at the salon. 

 My friend Melissa and I 

Strutting my stuff

Showing it all off at the end

ME!

Three of my favorite health and beauty products of 2011.

I have found a few things that I really like this year. They are things I try not to leave the house with out.


The first is,

My Enfuselle facial cleaning products from Shaklee. I use the cleansing gel, Toner and A.M. time repair with SPF moisturizer. Also I have the Acne clarifying complex and the P.M. night repair. I love all my Shaklee Face products, I still may not have perfect skin, but I truly think it would be a lot worse if I didn't use it. 

My second Favorite is, 

We started taking Shakeology a month ago when I did a 10 day fitness overhaul with a friend. We started out thinking it was just a meal replacement and that it would help with our holiday fitness goals. After a week of taking it we both noticed a difference in our energy, our appetites, cravings, weight, I could go on and on. Our energy is amazing, my husband says he doesn't feel the need to drink other energy drinks such as monsters or Rockstars any more when he drinks his Shakeology.  I love how it curbs my appetite so I don't want to snack so much during the day, and it also helps with any cravings of sweets I might have, so then I am not scarfing on desert when I shouldn't be either. I can't tell you how excited I am that they are coming out with a third flavor in 2012, Tropical! 

Lastly, something I didn't expect. A product that comes from Norway, called Norwex. These aren't your average microfiber clothes. 

"Norwex Antibacterial Microfiber Cleaning Products
Our line of cleaning products will save you time & money, improve health, and move towards creating a better environment.  Norwex microfiber goes beyond "surface clean" with the innovative use of silver particles integrated into synthetic microfiber cloth ensure:

• Single-celled micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, yeast, and viruses cannot survive or adapt in silver exposure
• Surface-to-surface cross-contamination is eliminated
• Rapidly drying cloths prevent bacteria growth in the cloth itself

Cleaning with water only produces a healthy outcome for us and the environment.

Laboratory tests have proven that Norwex antibacterial microfiber reduced bacteria by 99.99% in 24 hours!"

I won a facial towel at a friends party she was throwing and I was stoked to try it out. In just a few days I noticed a difference in how my face felt. I really need to get more so I don't have to worry about throwing one in the laundry, cause I see how not using it for just one or two days effects my face. What I think is great about it too is that you get 3 in a pack for under $20 and they are guaranteed for 2 years. 


All of these companies sell an array of products so you can go check them out. 

One our newest family pictures.

The kids home made tree ornaments.

I didn't have to buy much for this easy project with the kids. Really already had most of it, but this is what we used. 

The air dry clay (I paid under $5 for this at Walmart)

kids paint

pipe cleaners (.89 cents)

Cookie cutters

A straw to make a hole 

 I rolled out the clay and let the kids use the cutters to make shapes for their ointments. Use the straw to make the holes in the top.  It takes about three days to dry. Then I had my kids Paint and use marker to decorate them, put the pipe cleaners through the hole and then hang them on the tree.  

Our day.

What a great week. My husband has been home for most of it, so it was a great time to have fun and relax. Yesterday my son and I went to one of the many local missions to help and and serve food. When we got there I noticed that they had a LOT of volunteers and wasn't sure what we would get to do. Really we didn't do much, Glenn and I picked up trash and walked around talking to people.  Later on I was able to talk to Chaplin and found out that they had 170 people signed up to help and twice as many come. There was about 3 volunteers for every homeless that got served. I tried to explain to Glenn why we were there and what Thanksgiving was about, I feel like it went in one ear and out the other. We did have a good time just the two of us though. 

Glenn and I out side the mission. 

Later we finished the kids ornaments, (see new post) then we went to a friends house from church and enjoyed a wonderful meal with friends and out kids. We were stuffed and tired. I hope you all had a great day. 

So I skipped yesterdays photo share, which was my favorite color. If your wondering it is purple. Today is someone you love. This is my son, and tonight he lost his first tooth! I have to tell you, I am super excited about it. I am wondering how soon it will be till the next tooth gets loose, Maybe he could sing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth". HAHAHA!!!! My little boy is growing up, and you know whats funny to me? I still feel as young as I did when I had him! 

Just in case your wondering, this is what I am following. Tomorrow is day 6. 

Photo share- Clouds

What I wore today, (an awful picture)

This was all I had, my full body picture did turn out.

My head band was made by my friend Betsey @ Framed living Boutique

My scare I bought at Goodwill, I am wearing a black tank top from Target and a black sweater from a friend, no tag. Then I wore jeans from Old Navy I have had for like 5 years. 

Tomorrows photo share is Clouds. 

I am late, and almost forgot, what a week.

I wanted to start my photo share on monday, but it has been one busy week. The first day is a self portrait.  I really like this one. it is one of my fav's I feel amazing in this one. if you want to do this with me link your picture in the comments below. Tomorrow will be what I wore.