Here is a picture of my Communications group.
This is what Phil surprised me with when I got home from school.
Maya also got a balloon :)
Friday, December 10, 2010
Time to Celebrate
I am done with one more semester! I had my last presentation today. I received straight A's and I am so grateful for that. I could have not done it without my hubby :) I love you Phillip and THANK YOU FOR MY ROSES AND BALLOONS! 
Here is a picture of my Communications group.
This is what Phil surprised me with when I got home from school.
Maya also got a balloon :)
Here is a picture of my Communications group.
This is what Phil surprised me with when I got home from school.
Maya also got a balloon :)
Monday, December 6, 2010
Baby Update and Night Ritual
We play for a little bit before bed.
Then we brush our teeth.
We read a book.
Finally, we say prayer. Then Maya says, "I don't want to go night, night."
I had a visit with my OB today and everything is going great. Baby Addison has a strong heart beat and her head is in the right position (at the moment). All my blood work came back normal :) I can't believe is already time to see the doctor every other week! This means baby Addison is so to be here.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
How to Choose the Best Organic Food on a Budget
After sharing the documentary Food Inc. with Phillip, we decided that we need to make changes. We know that buying organic food can be more expensive, so we came to the conclusion that we will need to make changes in the way we spend our money. It doesn't make sense that we are able to buy things that are not really necessary, when we can be buying food that will be better for us and our planet. We plan to grow our own garden, but in the mean time we will be visiting the Farmers Market and buying organic food from Trader Joe's. We found a website that was very useful: http://www.localharvest.org/
I found some good info. I wanted to share:
It’s no secret that organic is the best way to go if you’re looking to preserve your health and stay away from harmful preservatives, pesticides and other harmful chemicals. But then, it’s also well known that to go organic means to incur additional costs. If you’re torn between preventing harm to your body and preventing damage to your bank account, there are ways to shop for the best organic food even if you’re on a budget. It adds up to just a little more effort on your part, but it’s worth your time and energy. So here are a few handy tips on how to choose the best of organic food on a budget:
* Buy seasonal food: If it’s in season, it naturally follows that there is an abundance of it. So instead of buying the same fruits and vegetables you do all year round, look for the ones that are in season and take them home. You not only save money, you also get to vary your diet and get the benefit of all-round nutrition. Also, when you buy seasonal food and items that are available locally, you’re assured of getting nothing but the freshest and most-recently packaged foods.
* Visit farmers’ markets: It may take half a day or more of your time, but you get the freshest food at lower costs at local farms or at farmers’ markets. Prepare a shopping list in advance, look around to see what’s available, and based on your budget, buy in bulk items that keep for long when frozen. Items like egg and dairy products like milk cannot be stored for long periods of time without their taste and quality being compromised, but meats and processed dairy like cheese and butter keep for longer. So buy a whole week’s or fortnight’s worth, and freeze what you’re not going to use right away.
* Write in for coupons: Most organic producers allow you to write in or subscribe for coupons if you’re going to buy from them on a regular basis. So watch local newspapers for long-term offers or write in to organic farmers and producers to ask for a discount on food and dairy products if you commit to a long-term relationship. You get to stay within your budget when you calculate your monthly savings.
* Avoid exotic food: You may enjoy exotic food once in a while, but if it’s not basic, it tends to cost more. So if you cannot afford to go both organic and exotic, put your money where there’s more worth and stick to the basic food necessities like seasonal fruits and vegetables, dairy, poultry and meat.
* Make your own meals: Readymade organic meals, condiments and other ready-to-eat items are costlier than buying organic ingredients and making your own meals. So unless you’re pressed for time and need a quick meal, buy organic ingredients and prepare your own meals. Not only do you get the benefit of fresh, home-cooked food, you’re also staying within your shopping budget.
Once you begin to adapt to the organic way of life and gain more experience in organic shopping, it’s easy to find tips and tricks to stay within your budget.
I found some good info. I wanted to share:
It’s no secret that organic is the best way to go if you’re looking to preserve your health and stay away from harmful preservatives, pesticides and other harmful chemicals. But then, it’s also well known that to go organic means to incur additional costs. If you’re torn between preventing harm to your body and preventing damage to your bank account, there are ways to shop for the best organic food even if you’re on a budget. It adds up to just a little more effort on your part, but it’s worth your time and energy. So here are a few handy tips on how to choose the best of organic food on a budget:
* Buy seasonal food: If it’s in season, it naturally follows that there is an abundance of it. So instead of buying the same fruits and vegetables you do all year round, look for the ones that are in season and take them home. You not only save money, you also get to vary your diet and get the benefit of all-round nutrition. Also, when you buy seasonal food and items that are available locally, you’re assured of getting nothing but the freshest and most-recently packaged foods.
* Visit farmers’ markets: It may take half a day or more of your time, but you get the freshest food at lower costs at local farms or at farmers’ markets. Prepare a shopping list in advance, look around to see what’s available, and based on your budget, buy in bulk items that keep for long when frozen. Items like egg and dairy products like milk cannot be stored for long periods of time without their taste and quality being compromised, but meats and processed dairy like cheese and butter keep for longer. So buy a whole week’s or fortnight’s worth, and freeze what you’re not going to use right away.
* Write in for coupons: Most organic producers allow you to write in or subscribe for coupons if you’re going to buy from them on a regular basis. So watch local newspapers for long-term offers or write in to organic farmers and producers to ask for a discount on food and dairy products if you commit to a long-term relationship. You get to stay within your budget when you calculate your monthly savings.
* Avoid exotic food: You may enjoy exotic food once in a while, but if it’s not basic, it tends to cost more. So if you cannot afford to go both organic and exotic, put your money where there’s more worth and stick to the basic food necessities like seasonal fruits and vegetables, dairy, poultry and meat.
* Make your own meals: Readymade organic meals, condiments and other ready-to-eat items are costlier than buying organic ingredients and making your own meals. So unless you’re pressed for time and need a quick meal, buy organic ingredients and prepare your own meals. Not only do you get the benefit of fresh, home-cooked food, you’re also staying within your shopping budget.
Once you begin to adapt to the organic way of life and gain more experience in organic shopping, it’s easy to find tips and tricks to stay within your budget.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Today in my nutrition class we watched the movie Food Inc. Please, watch this film if you haven't already! My family and I have already been trying to avoid fast food, and are good about making our own meals. I felt that if we cooked our own meals it was way better than stopping at McDonald's and buying a cheap burger and fries. Cooking your own meals is better, but I didn't realize that the majority of the products we buy go through a really nasty,unnatural and sad process. I feel cheated and angry. I am determined to grow my own garden, we can't afford buying organic foods (or maybe we could), but it would be a step forward if we start buying our produce at the Farmer's market. There are many changes we need to make in our home. Obviously, we don't have enough property to raise our own cows, pigs and chickens. But, Phillip and I are hoping that once I graduate we can move to the country and be able to raise our own animals (we dream big). We need to be aware of what we put in our mouths. Our diet is getting worse and worse not only in the U.S., but everywhere in the world. Our government doesn't do much to regulate the food that is put in the store isles for us to buy. We need to do something! 
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
B-day and Thanksgiving
I haven't had the chance to blog because I am in the middle of finals. Yesterday and today I wrote 3 essays for one of my classes and my brain is completely dead. I just wanted to take a few minutes to thank my dear husband and his family for making me feel so special. My hubby took us to Famous Dave's for my birthday. It is definitively one of my favorite places. We had some yummy BBQ! Martie also made me their traditional strawberry cake, it was delicious. I also received a few gifts, which I LOVE! 
The frosting was still too hard, so the cake wasn't frosted until later.
I know, my face is starting to look chubby.
Thanksgiving Day was an ordinary day for us. Phillip had to work and so we decided that we would celebrate it Saturday. We had a very pleasant evening with the company of the missionaries,Phillip's parents and Grandma Betty. Phillip smoked a turkey and I took care of all the side dishes, except for the cranberry salad (thanks Martie for making it). I forgot to get pictures of our dinner table, it looked so pretty. But here are a few pictures we took after dinner:
Martie and Phil were looking for present ideas for Don Wes.
Maya loves Lito, especially when he sings Pat-a-cake.
The frosting was still too hard, so the cake wasn't frosted until later.
I know, my face is starting to look chubby.
Thanksgiving Day was an ordinary day for us. Phillip had to work and so we decided that we would celebrate it Saturday. We had a very pleasant evening with the company of the missionaries,Phillip's parents and Grandma Betty. Phillip smoked a turkey and I took care of all the side dishes, except for the cranberry salad (thanks Martie for making it). I forgot to get pictures of our dinner table, it looked so pretty. But here are a few pictures we took after dinner:
Martie and Phil were looking for present ideas for Don Wes.
Maya loves Lito, especially when he sings Pat-a-cake.
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