My Little Artsy Scientist

     I'm hanging out here on my blog instead of Facebook because my fellow Nursing students may vote me off the island if I mention wanting to go back to school again.  I'm currently wrapping up week 2 of my 3-week break from school, and I'm getting a little stir crazy.  I think it's because J is deployed.  If he were home, I'd be busier, and so time would fly by, and I'd be whining for more break, not more school.  As it is, I've been trying to keep busy by scrubbing down my house, purging my closets, and doing a few fun crafts with Monkey.

     Yesterday while cleaning out one of my closets, I came across a painting from the first paint party I ever attended.  It's a rather vibrant flamingo that I never really had a place for, see:

So I decided to paint over it and make it into something fun for just us girls to do.  

     I painted the entire canvas in a few coats of white paint before letting it dry.  Then I used some tape that wouldn't peel the paint to spell out the word "Love".  (Original, right?)

   
     I then dropped small amounts of brightly colored paints all around the canvas, and I instructed Monkey to help me spread them around.  The rules were you could mix one or two, but no yuck brown color, and no leaving any white spots.  I started at the top, and she started at the bottom, and we met in the middle.

     Once the entire canvas was covered in paint, we called it a day, and let it dry while we went out for Mexican food with a couple of friends.  When we came back, the paint was all dry, so I began to remove the tape.

     And voila!  Our own little work of art:

     I love that my child can go from an artist to a scientist like a sports car can go from 0 to 60.  Her variety of interests make it easy for me to come up with something to entertain her.  Lately she's been interested in the Magic School Bus.  She has the Inside the Human Body book, and it's her latest favorite.  She's also been begging me to let her watch the shows, which I was happy to oblige her once I discovered them all on Youtube.  Yesterday when she got home from daycare, I had a surprise waiting for her.  We put together our own map of the human body.  

     I went to Office Depot and found a roll of white poster board paper in the teacher's section.  I laid that out on the floor and had Monkey lay down on top of it so I could trace her.   We then taped the outline to the door in the kitchen and Monkey colored a few different organs.  We mainly focused on the digestive tract, because that's what the Magic School Bus: For Lunch episode focuses on, but the Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body book goes into the heart, lungs, and brain as well, so we added those in for good measure.  (For printables, just click on each organ listed: stomach, intestines, brain,  heart and lungs)  Some of the printables were too big to fit in her little body, so I just freehanded them.  As she colored each organ we talked about what their functions are. 

Drawing the cereal she had for breakfast.

   After assembling the entire body, we went to Youtube to watch The Magic School Bus: For Lunch one more time.  I also like the idea that we can come back to this project and add other systems later, like the skeletal system, the muscles, the nervous system, and more!  Plus, it's a good review for me  :-)

Things I've Learned from my Cat

     My cat has quite the personality.  He's my bratty diva, and he knows it.  I know not everyone is a cat person, but they should be.  After all, there's lots to be learned from cats.  I've compiled of list of life lessons my own little fur ball has taught me.

1.  If someone dangles something in front of your face, walk away.  That's right, you're too good for that "carrot before the horse" mentality.  Walk away with your head up, and once you've put some space between yourself and that arrogant asshole dangling the thing, turn around and attack their hand with all your strength.  That'll teach 'em.


2.  Don't let anything stand in your way. No, really.  If something is standing in your way, maul that sucker until it's an unrecognizable heap of shame…then play with it.


3.  If you want something, go for it.  I suggest by taking a running leap.


4.  If someone has the audacity to try to cage you, put up the world's biggest fight.  You're too full of life and potential to be held back by four walls.


5.  Let your feelings show.  That's right: happy, sad, manic, it's all good.  If you get urge to sing the song of your people at 3 am, go for it, and the neighbors be damned!


6.  You're not fat.  You have extra protection from disembowelment.  (Seriously, it's a thing.)


7.  If you claim something, that makes it yours.  Just make sure you hide it really well to make sure it remains yours.


8.  Take naps.  How else will you be able to party all night long?  Concerned about the neighbors?  See #5.


9.  If someone's not giving you the attention you deserve, demand it!  That's right, go full-diva.  Strut your stuff right in their face, and if that fails, lay down on their laptop.  That'll teach 'em!


10.  It's good to have a dog for a best friend.  Who else would you pin your bad gas on if not for the lovable mutt laying next to you?


     And since you sat through my randomness, regardless of your affiliation with cats, you deserve a banana split.  For breakfast.

Breakfast Banana Split (Greek Yogurt version)

Inspired by Pinterest

1 banana, split lengthwise

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

1 TBS honey, plus extra for drizzling  

Fruit of choice, diced (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, pineapples, etc)

1/4 cup old-fashioned oats

Mix yogurt and honey together.  In a separate bowl prop up two halves of the banana; dollop the yogurt mixture between them.  Top with fruit and oats.  Drizzle with extra honey as desired.  Enjoy!

Calories: 351
Fat:  1.5 grams
Carbs: 76.1 grams
Protein: 15 grams

Vitamin A: 2%
Vitamin C: 39%
Calcium: 18.9%
Iron: 7%

*These numbers are based off of the types of fruit I used, so if you decide to go with a different combination of toppings, your numbers will be a bit different.

Breakfast Banana Split (Cottage Cheese version)

1 banana, split lengthwise
1/2 cup cottage cheese
Fruit of choice, diced

Prop up two halves of banana in a bowl.  Dollop cottage cheese between the halves, and top with fruit(s) of choice.  Enjoy!

Calories: 229
Fat:  2.6 grams
Carbs: 42.3 grams
Protein: 11.3 grams

Vitamin A: 8.4%
Vitamin C: 44.9%
Calcium: 15.2%
Iron: 2.6%

*Same disclaimer as above.

Smooth Operator

     I've been on break from school for almost a week now, so you'd think I would have posted a new blog by now, but what can I say?  I've been busy catching up on all that nothing I wasn't doing while I was in school ;-)  I did get a few thing accomplished this week but nothing too noteworthy.  The biggest event was when my little Monkey "graduated" from her daycare on Friday!  She'll be starting Kindergarten this fall, and I'm not sure I'm ready for that.  She sure looked cute in her cap and gown, though.

   
        Here's hoping the transition from daycare to "big kid school" is a smooth one.  Speaking of "smooth", I have been on a huge smoothie kick lately, and of course I want to share a few of my favorites.

How's that for a smooth transition?  I guess I'm just a "smooth" operator.  ;-) 

     Last time I shared the Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie.  When a friend of mine saw it, she shared that she loves to put something green in hers, and that's when I decided to give this guy a try:

Green Smoothie

From Alida's Kitchen

1/2 Avocado

1 cup spinach

1/2 cup pineapple chunks

1 banana, frozen and sliced

1/4 cup pineapple juice (I simply used the juice from when I sliced up the pineapple)

Mix all the ingredients together in a blender, and enjoy!

Calories:  322

Carbs:      55.9 grams

Fat:          12.2 grams

Protein:    3.3 grams

Sodium:    29.5 mg

Sugar:      34.1 grams

     I was a little weirded out by the idea of a liquified avocado, but it was really creamy and good.  However, I figured that was enough green to last me a while, not to mention my spinach crop shriveled up, and I ran out of avocados.  So for the next smoothie I nixed the green to make this:

 Tropical Blackberry Smoothie
1 cup pineapple chunks, frozen
1 cup blackberries, frozen
2 small tangerines (I stole a couple of my daughter's Halo's)
1/4 cup walnuts
2 tsp sugar

Mix everything in the blender, and enjoy :-)

Calories:  446 

Carbs:      65.4 grams

Fat:          20.9 grams

Protein:    8.8 grams

Sodium:    3 mg

Sugar:      43.4 grams

     This one has been my favorite so far.  I've made it several times, which is no problem this time of year when blackberries can be found in abundance around the base.  Monkey and I pick at least 2 cups every time we go for a run or a bike ride together.

     Now this next smoothie requires a little explaining.  What had happened was, I was craving a milkshake, but we had no ice cream in the house (mainly because J is deployed).  No biggie.  I simply turned to Google to find a makeshift recipe, and I found this:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake
from Yummly

1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup chocolate syrup
1/4 cup milk
12 ice cubes

Mix everything in a blender, and serve.  This actually makes 4 servings instead of 1.

Calories:  442

Carbs:      30 grams  

Fat:           33 grams

Protein:    15 grams

Sodium:    300 mg

Sugar:       15 grams

      My only caution with this recipe is that you should start off with 1/2 cup of peanut butter and work your way up.  I did the full one cup, and it was way too much, even though I love peanut butter.

     Since that didn't really satisfy my chocolate craving, I tried again today to get my fix with this next recipe.  Oh, and I added something green :-)

Chocolate Avocado Smoothie

1/2 avocado

1 1/2 banana, frozen and sliced

1/4 cup walnuts

2 TBS unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Hershey's)

1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (I used Chobani's)

2 tsp sugar *optional*  (I have a big sweet tooth)

1/4 cup milk

Blend and serve.  Serves 2.

Calories:  311

Carbs:      38.3 grams

Fat:          17.9 grams

Protein:    7.9 grams

Sodium:   25.6 mg 

Sugar:      21.4 grams

     That got the chocolate monkey off my back for a while (I hope anyway).  The next smoothie doesn't have a picture, but it was another top ranking one.  The only thing stopping me from making it again is the lack of grapes.  Monkey ate them all :-(

Grape Smoothie with Oats

I'm sorry to the original poster, I found your recipe on my phone, and now I can't find the link!

1/2 cup black seedless grapes

1/2 cup-1 cup oats (1 cup was a bit much in my opinion)

1 cup plain Greek yogurt (Again, I used Chobani)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 banana, frozen and sliced

1 TBS honey

Blend and enjoy.  Makes 1 serving :-)

Calories:  601 

Carbs:      122.1 grams

Fat:          6 grams

Protein:    22 grams

Sodium:   63.7 mg

Sugar:      53.6 grams

       So there you have it.  An arsenal of quick, but yummy smoothies for breakfast or snack time.  I will probably be posting more soon considering I now have a freezer packed with pineapples, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries.  I love spring time!

Spring-time Recipes

     I love this time of year!  The weather is beautiful.  The birds can be heard chirping away outside my window.  The blackberries are beginning to ripen.  Everything just screams, "Spring!"  I come alive during this time of year.  One of my favorite things to do it take Monkey for a run and then walk home, picking blackberries along the way.  Pretty soon, my favorite you-pick farm will be opening, which means even more fresh produce.  There's just no down-side to this time of year.  Well, except snakes, but we're not going there this time.

     With the abundance of fresh fruits and veggies at the store and in my own garden, it's so much easier to eat healthily this time of year.  Which is helpful, considering it's about time to drag out that bathing suit again.  In honor of bathing suit season I'm going to share a couple of healthy, yet simple meals.  The first one, Grilled Chicken with Strawberry and Pineapple Salsa, comes form the American Heart Association, and it was different, but in a good way.  You'll have to click the link to get the recipe.  It's copyrighted, and I'm not that big of a rebel (You hear that, Mom?).

     In addition to attempting to eat healthier, I've also been pressed for time in the mornings.  Thankfully I don't have to sacrifice nutrition (or taste) for simplicity or speediness.  Lately I've been throwing a few things in the blender, and drinking my breakfast.  This time of year is perfect for smoothies, thanks to all the fresh produce that's available.  Here's one of my latest concoctions:

Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie
Makes 2 servings

1 banana sliced
1/2 cup chopped pineapple
1/2 cup diced strawberries
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 TBS honey

Put all ingredients into a blender, and blend on high until nice and smooth!  Enjoy :-)

     Now I'm off to study for my final exams, one more week, and then I'll have a three week break!  I'm not going to know what to do with myself!!!

Newsfeed Conservation Act

     I'm being a bit lazy today, so instead of a true blog post, I'm just going to jot down all the things I would post as Facebook statuses.  You should thank me really.  I refrain from sharing all my randomness throughout the day because it would fill up everyone's newsfeed and be totally annoying.  So instead I blog.  You're welcome.

Aundraya  (5 minutes ago) "Since Monkey will be appearing as a black cat in her upcoming dance recital, I thought it'd be fun to let her watch the musical 'Cats'.  Bad idea.  The only time she gets off of all fours is to stand up and shimmy as she sings 'Jellicle Cats'."

Aundraya (3 minutes ago)  "Okay so my little 'Jellicle cat' is starting to scare the mess out of my actual cat."

Aundraya  (1 hour ago)  "Did I give birth to a boy and just not notice?  I sent Monkey outside to water the plants, only to walk out a few minute laters to find her standing next to the tree with her skirt around her ankles, peeing.  That's not what I had in mind when I said to water the plants!"

Aundraya  (58 minutes ago)  "In other news, I may have my daughter teach me the art of peeing standing up, because I was pretty impressed with her aim."

Aundraya  (3 hours ago)  "So I kinda crashed a crawfish boil at my friend's apartment complex that was for residents only.  I don't care!  It was all in the pursuit of mudbugs!!!  (and in pursuit of the great company too, of course)"

Aundraya (Yesterday)  "Today Monkey and I are going to the "Over the Hump" party, which celebrates being halfway done with deployment. Unfortunately my child is walking around saying she's going to the "hump party".

Aundraya (Yesterday)  "I tried to explain to Monkey that it's the "Over the Hump" party, and she looked at me with the saddest eyes ever, and asked, "The hump party is over?!"...Smh moment."

Aundraya (Yesterday)  "It's getting hotter outside, which means I'm breaking out the summer dresses.  Unfortunately I forgot to break out the razor too.  :-/ "

  Now aren't you glad I actively participate in the Newsfeed Conservation Act?  No, that's not really a thing.  I just wanted a cool title for this blog post.  I'm actually just trying to take a brain break before I get back to studying.  Only 2 1/2 weeks of this semester left!  Oh, and before I go, here's a recipe for you:

Strawberry Jam
This recipe comes from the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving and yields about 4 pints.

2 quarts strawberries
6 cups sugar

Wash strawberries; drain.  Remove stems.  Crush strawberries one layer at a time.  Combine strawberries and sugar in a large sauce pot.  Slowly bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.  Cook rapidly to gelling point. 

*To test for gelling point, dip a cool, metal spoon into the boiling jelly.  Lift out a spoonful of the mixture; moving the spoon away from the steam.  Tip the spoon over a dish so the juice will drop off.  When the jelly mixture first begins to boil, the drops will be light and syrupy.  After continued boiling, the drops will become larger and will drop off the spoon in a sheet or flake.  The gelling point has been reached when the jelly sheets off the spoon.*

As mixture thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking.  Remove from heat.  Skim foam if necessary. Ladle hot jam into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.  Adjust two-piece lid.  Process 15 minutes in a boiling water-bath canner.

"Hoppy" Easter

     I hope everyone is having a "Hoppy" Easter!  We certainly are.  This year things were a bit different; instead of making the trip back to Louisiana, Monkey and I celebrated at quietly at home.  We attended two Easter egg hunts this weekend, which was fun.  This morning the Easter Bunny left Monkey a basket full of bath time goodies, and she was extremely happy about that.  Then we got all dressed up and went to brunch with two of my favorite Navy wives.  When we got back home we talked about the true meaning of Easter.
   
     Friday we talked about the crucifixion.  I made a small cross out of some scrap wood I had in the garage, and I explained how they were used in ancient Rome to punish people who had done really bad things.  I had her help me nail three nails into the cross and explained how they used to nail people that way when they were bad or had done horrible things.  Then I asked Monkey if Jesus had done anything bad.  She said, "No".  So then I asked, "Why did He die on the cross if He didn't do anything bad?"  She replied, "To get rid of our sins".  Next we talked about sin, about what it is and about how everyone sins.  She wrote the word "sin" on her doodle pad, and I asked her to draw a picture of any particular sin; she chose to draw a picture of her hitting the cat.

     Next I told her to swipe the board clean, and I explained that just like she swiped away the picture, Jesus wiped our sins away on the cross.  She then drew a picture of how that made her feel.  It was a giant smiley face!  Then to sum it all up we learned John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."

   

     Today we talked about the resurrection.  I had her help me act out the resurrection with her toys, and consequently her bunny is now named "Jesus".  Oops.  Oh well.  We talked about how the women went the tomb and found it empty and how Jesus conquered death so that we could have eternal life in Heaven.  Then we talked about how Jesus went up to Heaven to prepare a place for us.  It was a good talk, and she seemed to enjoy it.

     Of course, we didn't leave J out of the festivities.  As I mentioned in my last post, J recently received two care packages from us in the same day, and I was horrible and made him wait until Easter to open the second box (his words, not mine).  Well now that he's opened it, I think I'll share it with y'all.

     I lined this one in green construction paper, and aside from the small bit of grass, the eggs, and the bunny you see, I didn't do any decorating.  I left most of the package blank for Monkey to fill in this time.  That was a terrific idea, because I had a test to study for, and it took her quite a while to design the perfect Easter box for Daddy.  My only regret is that I didn't get a picture of her finished product.

     What I lacked in decoration on the outside, I made up for with creativity on the inside.  I had Monkey helps me stuff Easter eggs full of goodies.

     While she stuffed them, I wrote cheesy phrases on the outside of the eggs like, "Hoppy Easter", "SomeBunny loves/misses you, "Hop to see you soon", or "Love, your two chicks".  I am the queen of all things corny, so this was so much fun for me.  

     After stuffing the eggs, we filled our box with a few extra things such as Peeps, a giant Warhead Egg, and a book of devotionals for J.  Overall, I think it was a pretty good substitute for an Easter basket.

We're Going Nuts Without You!

     One thing you have to deal with in deployments is the unpredictability of the mail delivery system.  I sent my husband a care package on March 15, and another one on April 1.  He received both of them today.  O.o  I don't understand that, but I'm just happy they made it there.  I'm going to share the first one with y'all today, but I'm saving the second one for Sunday.  It's his Easter package, so he's not allowed to open it yet.  In the meantime, here's our "Nuts without you" package:

      As usual I started by lining a flat rate box with orange construction paper.  I then cut out letters for the message on the inside of the lids.  I enlisted Monkey's help with the pictures.  I asked her to make crazy faces, and well, this is the result:

   
     I also included some pictures of Monkey all dressed up for her Superhero Party.  Next I added a few acorns and one Planter's nut man to tie it all together.

     Next was the fun part: filling the box.  I had a ton of ideas, some of which are included in the actual box, but then my husband messed up the theme by requesting his favorite pair of combat boots (how dare he!).  I ran out of room, but here's a list of ideas in case you want to make one yourself:

• Planter's nuts 
• Clif Bars
• Peanut butter or Nutella (or both)
• Peanut M&Ms
• Snickers bars
• Homemade granola (for a recipe, click here)
• Peanut butter cookies
• any Chex Mix with nuts (can even be homemade)
• Mr. Goodbars
• Sunflower seeds
• Chocolate-covered sunflower seeds

     If y'all think of anything else, feel free to share.