Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Happy Holidays!!!

Hi Everyone!
We are just a few days from Christmas.  Our family is so excited!  The house is decorated, the tree is up, cookies are made, gifts purchased, menu planned and spirits are brighter as we prepare for 2012.  Just like previous years, this one flew by so fast it makes my head spin.  I do believe it goes even faster when you have children.

I have taken some time to reflect on 2011 and I am ready to move full speed ahead into 2012!  This year was good, but I just know next year will be even better. 

My Braelyn continues to grow into a beautiful little girl.  Her personality shines and she is a true blessing to our family.  We can't imagine what we ever did without her!  She makes us laugh and smile constantly with her new words and laughter.  She is talking more and more every day!  She sings, dances and recites lines from her favorite shows and books.  She is a very smart little cookie!  Yesterday was her first day without a single ba-ba...yep, we finally weaned her.  I know, I know...she is almost 20 months.  Her brother gave up the bottle cold turkey the day after his first birthday.  This is why I stress, all children are different.  Braelyn was much more emotionally attached.  She is doing WONDERFULLY without a ba-ba and she hasn't taken a pacifier since she was about 3 months old, so this is a huge accomplishment!  I'm so proud of her!  She has her good friend Banks (her blanket) to get her through the difficult times...and Mama, Dada and Brother, of course.  I just need to figure out how to get her to drink more milk.  She does not like milk in her sippy cup, only water.  She is not a fan of juice.  She does eat her share of mozzarella, so that does help with calcium, etc.  On that note, she continues to be a perfect, non-fussy little eater.  She loves her green beans and most all other vegetables!  She loves spending her days with Mama.  I thank God every day that I do not have to bring her to daycare and that I get to work through my own home and take care of her.  We have so much fun!  We will continue to read, dance and sing.  This little girl is going places!!!

Speaking of going places, so is her brother!  He is the other source of my bursting pride.  My pre-teen Dylan is so helpful around the house and with his sister.  He has a super funny personality and is an Honor Roll Student in 7th Grade!  He is doing extremely well in school and even takes an advanced math class.  He is so smart and I just know he'll be super successful in whatever he does.  I swear, he keeps getting taller and skinnier every day!  We have to do official measurements, but I am pretty sure that he is as tall as me, if not taller (if I have my heels off...).  Dylan also plays the trombone and we have his holiday concert tonight.  I'm looking forward to seeing the progress of the Dylan and his bandmates.  They're already so talented!  He continues to learn to play the drums too.  He received a very cool drumset for his birthday in September. 

I have been very blessed in the kid department.  My son and daughter bring me so much joy and I am so fortunate to have them!!!

I can't forget to mention the other 'kid'...

Chris is also doing very well.  He continues to work long hours in both his Chamber of Commerce position and as a Senior Chief in the U.S. Navy Reserves.  He has had an accident-ridden year, however.  He slipped in his Koi Pond late this summer/early fall and really did a number on his back.  Just Saturday, he fell down the stairs and cracked two ribs!  Poor guy!  I think his New Year's Resolution is to be much more cautious in the coming year/years. 

We did some updates to our home this year.  We were forced to because of hail damage, but we did get a new roof, new siding and a few new windows.  Our house looks so much newer!  Next on our agenda is to put laminate flooring in our living/family room and do some painting in a few rooms.  If we can just keep Chris accident free and pain free, we hope to accomplish these items before Spring. 

New Year's Resolutions?  Hmm...haven't really thought about that one.  I feel fit/trim, but maybe need to get on a stricter exercise regime.  I am getting older, y'all...

Otherwise, I strive to enjoy each and every day and count my blessings for the wonderful people in my life.  I hope the same for each and every one of you that read this blog.

From our family to yours, Have a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Dylan, Chris, Braelyn and Jaime

Monday, December 12, 2011

Watch and See, She is the Dancing Queen!!!

My Braelyn loves to dance.  Here are some of her famous moves...

The Mickey Mouse 'Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog' Dance:

I am setting up a YouTube Channel right now.  Stay tuned for details and more dancing from our Little Superstar!!! 

Have a great week!

Jaime "Peanut's Mom"

Friday, November 4, 2011

Happy 18 Months, First Movie in a Theater and First Time Trick-or-Treating!!!

Happy November!

The past couple weeks brought more firsts and milestones.  We celebrated Braelyn's 18 Month "Birthday" on October 25th.  As a 1 1/2-year-old, she got a birthday cake and gift to open!  She loved them both!  Insert the overly used phrase:  "I cannot believe where the last year and a half went!"  Well, I can't.  Braelyn has grown and changed so much from the tiny 7 pound, 2 ounce little newborn we were blessed with on April 25, 2010.  She is so beautiful, intelligent, funny, tall and thin!  She is in the 92nd percentile for her height, but is very slender.  She loves her mixed vegetables, turkey, mozzarella, anything with pasta and vanilla sandwich cookies.  She will eat almost anything you put in front of her.  I am so, so thankful that she is not a picky eater.  (I got lucky with both kids...although, I would like to take some credit for healthy eating habits.)  She loves Team Umizoomi, Bubble Guppies, Dora and recently was introduced to BLUE'S CLUES!!!  That is her current favorite show.  She will talk into anything that resembles a cell phone and is already proving to be quite the girly girl, carrying around her purse, sitting at her vanity and playing with her Disney Princess Beauty Set, complete with hairdryer, curling iron, brush, lipstick and perfume.  She is my little princess, my wild child and my little sidekick.  Like her mama, she is NOT afraid to voice her opinion, especially when she isn't happy about something.  Ha!  Imagine that?

HAPPY 18 MONTHS, BABY BRAELYN!!!  I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY, SWEET GIRL!!!   

On Monday, October 31st, Braelyn went trick-or-treating for the first time!  She got lots of candy and had fun walking around with Mama, Dada and Dylan.  Here are a couple pictures of our pretty witch:


Last Sunday, October 30th, we went to see our very first movie in the theater with Braelyn, "Puss in Boots", a movie from the Shrek Empire.  How was it, you ask?  Ummmmm...I don't really know.  You see, I was busy keeping our little princess happy.  She got the hang of that movie theater business really quick.  We were delicately breaking off the tiniest of pieces of popcorn fluff and giving it to her, when next thing we knew, she was digging in the popcorn bucket like a champ...eating popcorn by the fistfuls...hard, crunchy, choking hazards and all.  (Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know, she has TEETH now!)  She had her sippy cup too, but was much more interested in Mama's big glass of ice water with the straw.  All in all she did VERY well.  She sat through (almost) the whole movie!  She got a little fussy towards the end, so Mama took her out into the lobby to run around for the last 15-20 minutes.  This was where she had the most fun.  I did not remember our camera, so only had my cell phone to take photos.  Please bear with the terrible quality, but still some very precious photos:
Looks like we'll be seeing Happy Feet Two in the very near future...

Happy Friday!!!

Jaime "Peanut's Mom"

Sunday, October 23, 2011

WERK...SUPERMODELS!!!

We had a fun glamour photo shoot yesterday.  I decided that it shouldn't just be Braelyn and me; that I should have Dylan join the party too!  Braelyn wouldn't smile, but at least she didn't cry.  I love our pictures!  They turned out so good!!!  The only thing missing, well, PERSON missing...was Chris, aka DaDa!  He had drill this weekend, but rest assured, we will get family photos taken very soon too!
Have a wonderful day!

Jaime "Peanut's Mom"

Friday, October 21, 2011

Getting Ready for Glamour!!!

Miss B and I will be getting Mommy/Daughter Glamour Photos taken tomorrow!  I am soooo excited!  I hope we get some good ones.  Well, I KNOW we will.  Any picture with Braelyn is super adorable.  I will post the pictures when we get them.  In the meantime, HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Friday, September 23, 2011

It's Been Awhile!!!

Um...like 4 months?  I needed a break from blogging.  It felt like I was putting so much into this blog and I had zero readers.  You know what though?  I am going to keep this up for Braelyn.  I think it serves as a very important record of her milestones, and like I said before, sort of an online baby book.  There just isn't enough room in an actual book to write EVERYTHING down. 

My tutu "business".  Another story.  To keep it very short, simple and to the point...I am giving that a huge break too.  I probably will just make them for family/friends, definitely for Braelyn.  It seems like everybody and their brother are making these things.  Heck, Braelyn even got two of them for her birthday from another "tutu-maker"...from a family member.  That's when I decided to hang it up.

In other news...here is a precious video from my Peanut's first steps.  She started walking at 14 months:

Friday, May 20, 2011

Taking Off Waterproof Mascara the NATURAL WAY!

Good Morning,

I love this mascara:
Problem?  I accidentally purchased the WATERPROOF version.  I, myself, HATE waterproof mascara.  I do not cry that much, my eyes do not water and if I'm swimming I probably would not stick my face in the water anyway. (I'm high maintenance like that.)  Plus, I have a 1-year-old who is not going underwater with me anytime soon.

Anyway, back to the issue at hand:  I remember using baby oil for removing my mascara in my teen years, but now "they" are saying it's not good for your eyes.  I do not have remover in my house, because I do not have the need for it...usually.  I'm a good old-fashioned water-and-soap-type-of-girl.  (Understand with soap and water, I have about 3 days worth of mascara clumped in my lashes at this point.)  ANNOYING.

What to do?  GOOGLE IT.  I found many sites that recommend OLIVE OIL. 

Guess what?  It works BEAUTIFULLY!!!

This has been a beauty tip from Peanut's Mom.  Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Is this a Blog or an Online Baby Book?

Good Morning Everyone (or to my 2 readers)...

That's actually the topic of this post.  My motivation to sit and type on here has been a little below what it should be.  Yes, I'm extremely busy.  There is a lot going on in my life...EVERY DAY it's something new.  I read about a dozen Mom Blogs at least every other day (when time allows) and I find myself stumped as to why I do not have more followers/readers.

Should this bother me?  Probably not.  It does though, just a teeny bit.  My own family seldom (if ever) reads this. 

(SPECIAL NOTE: I have a massively large family.) 

If nothing else, it does serve as an online/electronic baby book...something more for our memories of raising Baby Braelyn.  Right?

Just look at this Sweet Little Girl...(This is from her 12 Month Photo Session)...
Onto other items...

The weather is gorgeous and I am trying to set aside 10-15 minutes per day to get a little color.  WOW, I am ghostly pale!  I would love to try some of these self-tanning products that are obviously much healthier for my skin, but for the really great ones...$80.00 for a 30 day supply???  I guess I'll opt for dangerous tanning.  Just a little.

We have our garden tilled and ready for planting!  We plan to do this over the next couple of weeks.  Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, peas, green beans, you name it!  I am looking forward to a healthy summer diet with lots of veggies and fruit!!!

Have a great day,
Jaime "Peanut's Mom"

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

12 Foods With Super Healing Powers

Good Morning Everyone!

Spring is here and I am working to get in tip-top bikini shape (if it ever gets that warm)!

I just read this interesting article about 12 foods with super healing powers.  I know I'll be consuming more of these!

As a side note:  Way to go, Yahoo!  The past few days, MOST of your news articles and stories have been interesting AND relevant!

http://health.yahoo.net/caring/12-foods-with-super-healing-powers

In case the link does not work, here is a rundown:

Kiwifruit
This tiny, nutrient-dense fruit packs an amazing amount of vitamin C (double the amount found in oranges), has more fiber than apples, and beats bananas as a high-potassium food. The unique blend of phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals found in kiwifruit helps protect against heart disease, stroke, cancer, and respiratory disease. Kiwifruit's natural blood-thinning properties work without the side effects of aspirin and support vascular health by reducing the formation of spontaneous blood clots, lowering LDL cholesterol, and reducing blood pressure. Multiple studies have shown that kiwifruit not only reduces oxidative stress and damage to DNA but also prompts damaged cells to repair themselves.
Kiwifruit is often prescribed as part of a dietary regimen to battle cancer and heart disease, and in Chinese medicine it's used to accelerate the healing of wounds and sores.
How much: Aim to eat one to two kiwifruit a day while they're in season, for the best taste and nutrition. California-grown kiwifruit are in season from October through May, and New Zealand kiwifruit are available between April and November.
Tips:
  • Kiwifruit contains enzymes that activate once you cut the fruit, causing the flesh to tenderize. So if you're making a fruit salad, cut the kiwifruit last.
  • The riper the kiwifruit, the greater the antioxidant power, so let them ripen before you dig in.
Cherries
Cherries boast a laundry list of healing powers. For starters, they pack a powerful nutritional punch for a relatively low calorie count. They're also packed with substances that help fight inflammation and cancer. As if that weren't enough, in lab studies, quercetin and ellagic acid, two compounds contained in cherries, have been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors and even cause cancer cells to commit suicide -- without damaging healthy cells. Cherries also have antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Anthocyanin, another compound in cherries, is credited with lowering the uric acid levels in the blood, thereby reducing a common cause of gout. Researchers believe anthocyanins may also reduce your risk of colon cancer. Further, these compounds work like a natural form of ibuprofen, reducing inflammation and curbing pain. Regular consumption may help lower risk of heart attack and stroke.
In Chinese medicine, cherries are routinely used as a remedy for gout, arthritis, and rheumatism (as well as anemia, due to their high iron content). Plus they're delicious.
How much: Aim for a daily serving while they're in season locally. And keep a bag of frozen cherries in your freezer the rest of the year; frozen cherries retain 100 percent of their nutritional value and make a great addition to smoothies, yogurt, and oatmeal.

Guavas
Guavas are a small tropical fruit that can be round, oval, or pear-shaped. They're not all that common, so they might be hard to find, depending on where you live. But if you can track them down, it's more than worth it. Guavas contain more of the cancer-fighting antioxidant lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable, and nearly 20 percent more than tomatoes. Our bodies can't process much of the lycopene in tomatoes until they're cooked; the processing helps break down tough cell walls. However, guavas' cell structure allows the antioxidant to be absorbed whether the fruit is raw or cooked, and the whole fruit offers the nutrition without the added sodium of processed tomato products.
Lycopene protects our healthy cells from free radicals that can cause all kinds of damage, including blocked arteries, joint degeneration, nervous system problems, and even cancer. Lycopene consumption is associated with significantly lower rates of prostate cancer; in addition, men with prostate tumors who consumed lycopene supplements showed significant improvements, such as smaller tumors and decreased malignancy. Lycopene has also been found to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells, and research suggests that this antioxidant may also help protect against coronary heart disease.
This strange-looking little fruit is also packed with vitamin C and other antioxidants. Serving for serving, guava offers more than 60 percent more potassium than a banana, which can help protect against heart disease and stroke. In fact, the nutrients found in guavas have been shown to lower LDL and boost HDL cholesterol, reduce triglycerides, and lower blood pressure.

Beans
Beans are a miracle food. They lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar and insulin production, promote digestive health, and protect against cancer. If you think of fiber, protein, and antioxidants and immediately think whole grains, meat, and fruit, think again -- beans offer all three in a single package.
An assortment of phytochemicals found in beans has been shown to protect cells from cancerous activity by inhibiting cancer cells from reproducing, slowing tumor growth. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health reported that women who consumed beans at least twice a week were 24 percent less likely to develop breast cancer, and multiple studies have tied beans to a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and breast and colon cancers.
Beans deliver a whopping amount of antioxidants, which help prevent and fight oxidative damage. In fact, the USDA's ranking of foods by antioxidant capacity places three varieties of beans (red beans, red kidney beans, and pinto beans) in the top four -- and that's among all food groups. Beans are a great source of dietary fiber, protein, and iron. They also contain the amino acid tryptophan; foods with high amounts of tryptophan can help regulate your appetite, aid in sleep, and improve your mood. Many are also rich in folate, which plays a significant role in heart health. And depending on the type of bean you choose, you'll also get decent amounts of potassium, magnesium, vitamin B1 and B2, and vitamin K. Soybeans are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.
In Chinese medicine, various types of beans have been used to treat alcoholism, food poisoning, edema (particularly in the legs), high blood pressure, diarrhea, laryngitis, kidney stones, rheumatism, and dozens of other conditions.
How much: Aim for a minimum of two servings of beans per week.
Tip:
  • Adzuki and mung beans are among the most easily digested; pinto, kidney, navy, garbanzo, lima, and black beans are more difficult to digest.
Watercress
Not only is watercress extremely nutritious, it's about as close as you can get to a calorie-free food. Calorie for calorie, it provides four times the calcium of 2 percent milk. Ounce for ounce, it offers as much vitamin C as an orange and more iron than spinach. It's packed with vitamin A and has lots of vitamin K, along with multiple antioxidant carotenoids and protective phytochemicals.
The nutrients in watercress protect against cancer and macular degeneration, help build the immune system, and support bone health. The iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen to your body's tissues for energy. The phytochemicals in watercress battle cancer in three ways: killing cancer cells, blocking carcinogens, and protecting healthy cells from carcinogens. They've also been shown to help prevent lung and esophageal cancer and can help lower your risk for other cancers.
In Chinese medicine, watercress is thought to help reduce tumors, improve night vision, and stimulate bile production (improving digestion and settling intestinal gas). It's used as a remedy for jaundice, urinary difficulty, sore throat, mumps, and bad breath.
How much: Eat watercress daily if you can. In some regions, it's more widely available during the spring and summer, when it's cultivated outdoors. But since it can also be grown hydroponically in greenhouses, you can find it year-round in many grocery stores and at your local farmer's market.

Spinach
You already knew spinach was good for you, but did you know just how good? Spinach protects against eye disease and vision loss; it's good for brain function; it guards against colon, prostate, and breast cancers; it protects against heart disease, stroke, and dementia; it lowers blood pressure; it's anti-inflammatory; and it's great for bone health. Spinach has an amazing array of nutrients, including high amounts of vitamin K, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, magnesium, and iron.
A carotenoid found in spinach not only kills prostate cancer cells, it also prevents them from multiplying. Folate promotes vascular health by lowering homocysteine, an amino acid that, at high levels, raises the risk of dementia and cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke. Folate has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing colorectal, ovarian, and breast cancers and to help stop uncontrolled cell growth, one of the primary characteristics of all cancers. The vitamin C and beta-carotene in spinach protect against colon cancer in addition to fighting inflammation, making them key components of brain health, particularly in older adults.
Spinach is loaded with vitamin K (one cup of cooked spinach provides 1,111 percent of the recommended daily amount!), which builds strong bones by helping calcium adhere to the bone. Spinach is also rich in lutein, which protects against age-related macular degeneration, and it may help prevent heart attacks by keeping artery walls clear of cholesterol buildup.
How much: Fresh spinach should be a daily staple in your diet. It's available in practically every grocery store, no matter where you live, it's easy to find year-round, and you'd be hard pressed to find a more nutritionally sound, versatile green. So do yourself a healthy favor and aim for a few ounces -- raw, sauteed, or lightly steamed, every day.

Onions
Onions get a bad rap for their effect on breath, but that's not the only part of the body where they pack a wallop. Onions contain potent cancer-fighting enzymes; onion consumption has been shown to help lower the risk of prostate and esophageal cancers and has also been linked to reduced mortality from coronary heart disease. Research suggests that they may help protect against stomach cancer. Onions contain sulfides that help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as a peptide that may help prevent bone loss by inhibiting the loss of calcium and other bone minerals.
Onions have super antioxidant power. They contain quercetin, a natural antihistamine that reduces airway inflammation and helps relieve symptoms of allergies and hay fever. Onions also boast high levels of vitamin C, which, along with the quercetin, battles cold and flu symptoms. Onions' anti-inflammatory properties help fight the pain and swelling associated with osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis. Onions are also extremely rich in sulfur and they have antibiotic and antiviral properties, making them excellent for people who consume a diet high in protein, fat, or sugar, as they help cleanse the arteries and impede the growth of viruses, yeasts, and other disease-causing agents, which can build up in an imbalanced diet.
How much: For all the health benefits onions provide, it would be ideal to eat one a day. However, if that's not doable for you, add a few onions to your weekly grocery list and try to eat a little bit every day. All varieties are extremely good for you, but shallots and yellow onions lead the pack in antioxidant activity. Raw onions provide the best nutrition, but they're still great for you when they're lightly cooked. And cooking meat at high temperatures (such as on a grill) with onions can help reduce or counteract carcinogens produced by the meat.

Carrots
Carrots are a great source of the potent antioxidants known as carotenoids. Diets high in carotenoids have been tied to a decreased risk in postmenopausal breast cancer as well as cancers of the bladder, cervix, prostate, colon, larynx, and esophagus. Conversely, diets low in carotenoids have been associated with chronic disease, including heart disease and various cancers. Research suggests that just one carrot per day could reduce your risk of lung cancer by half. Carrots may also reduce your risk of kidney and ovarian cancers. In addition to fighting cancer, the nutrients in carrots inhibit cardiovascular disease, stimulate the immune system, promote colon health, and support ear and eye health.
Carrots contain calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, fiber, vitamin C, and an incredible amount of vitamin A. The alpha-carotene in carrots has shown promise in inhibiting tumor growth. Carrots also contain the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which work together to promote eye health and prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. In Chinese medicine, carrots are used to treat rheumatism, kidney stones, tumors, indigestion, diarrhea, night blindness, ear infections, earaches, deafness, skin lesions, urinary tract infections, coughs, and constipation.
How much: Eat a serving of carrots each day if you can, and enjoy them year-round. Carrots are good for you whether they're raw or lightly cooked; cooking helps break down the tough fiber, making some of the nutrients more easily absorbed. For the best nutrition, go for whole carrots that are firm and fresh-looking. Precut baby carrots are made from whole carrots and, although they're convenient, they tend to lose important nutrients during processing.

Cabbage
Cabbage is a powerhouse source of vitamins K and C. Just one cup supplies 91 percent of the recommended daily amount for vitamin K, 50 percent of vitamin C, good amounts of fiber, and decent scores of manganese, vitamin B6, folate, and more -- and it'll only cost you about 33 calories. Calorie for calorie, cabbage offers 11 percent more vitamin C than oranges.
Cabbage contains high levels of antioxidant sulforaphanes that not only fight free radicals before they damage DNA but also stimulate enzymes that detoxify carcinogens in the body. Researchers believe this one-two approach may contribute to the apparent ability of cruciferous vegetables to reduce the risk of cancer more effectively than any other plant food group. Numerous studies point to a strong association between diets high in cruciferous vegetables and a low incidence of lung, colon, breast, ovarian, and bladder cancers.
Cabbage builds strong bones, dampens allergic reactions, reduces inflammation, and promotes gastrointestinal health. Cabbage is routinely juiced as a natural remedy for healing peptic ulcers due to its high glutamine content. It also provides significant cardiovascular benefit by preventing plaque formation in the blood vessels. In Chinese medicine, cabbage is used to treat constipation, the common cold, whooping cough, depression and irritability, and stomach ulcers. When eaten and used as a poultice, as a dual treatment, cabbage is helpful for healing bedsores, varicose veins, and arthritis.
How much: The more cabbage you can include in your diet, the better. A study of Polish women found that those who ate at least four servings of cabbage per week as adolescents were 72 percent less likely to develop breast cancer later in life than their peers who consumed only one weekly serving or less.
Tips:

  • Try raw sauerkraut. It has all the health properties of cabbage, plus some potent probiotics, which are excellent for digestive health.
  • Use the whole cabbage; the outer leaves contain a third more calcium than the inner leaves.
  • Both are nutritional stars, but red cabbages are far superior to the white variety, with about seven times more vitamin C and more than four times the polyphenols, which protect cells from oxidative stress and cancer.
Broccoli
You'll find it difficult to locate another single food source with as much naturally occurring health-promoting properties as broccoli. A single cup of steamed broccoli provides more than 200 percent of the RDA for vitamin C (more than oranges), nearly as much of vitamin K, and about half of the daily allowance for vitamin A, along with plentiful folate, fiber, sulfur, iron, B vitamins, and a whole host of other important nutrients. Calorie for calorie, broccoli contains about twice the amount of protein as steak -- and a lot more protective phytonutrients.
Broccoli's phytochemicals fight cancer by neutralizing carcinogens and accelerating their elimination from the body, in addition to inhibiting tumors caused by chemical carcinogens. Studies show evidence that these substances help prevent lung and esophageal cancers and may play a role in lowering the risk of other cancers, including gastrointestinal cancer.
Phytonutrients called indoles found in broccoli help protect against prostate, gastric, skin, breast, and cervical cancers. Some research suggests that indoles also protect the structure of DNA and may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Extensive studies have linked broccoli to a 20 percent reduction in heart disease risk. In Chinese medicine, broccoli is used to treat eye inflammation.
How much: If you can eat a little broccoli every day, your body will thank you for it. If you can't swing it, aim for eating it as regularly as possible. Like many other vegetables, broccoli provides fantastic nutrition both in its raw form and when it's properly cooked. Cooking reduces some of broccoli's anticancer components, but lightly steaming it will preserve most of the nutrients. Broccoli is available fresh year-round in most areas, but if you can't find it where you live, frozen broccoli is a good substitute.

Kale
Kale is highly nutritious, has powerful antioxidant properties, and is anti-inflammatory. One cup of cooked kale contains an astounding 1,328 percent of the RDA for vitamin K, 192 percent of the RDA for vitamin A, and 89 percent of the RDA for vitamin C. It's also a good source of calcium and iron.
Kale is in the same plant family as broccoli and cabbage, and, like its cruciferous cousins, it contains high levels of the cancer-fighting compound sulforaphane, which guards against prostate, gastric, skin, and breast cancers by boosting the body's detoxification enzymes and fighting free radicals in the body. The indoles in kale have been shown to protect against breast, cervical, and colon cancers. The vitamin K in kale promotes blood clotting, protects the heart, and helps build strong bones by anchoring calcium to the bone. It also has more antioxidant power than spinach, protecting against free-radical damage. Kale is extra rich in beta-carotene (containing seven times as much as does broccoli), lutein, and zeaxanthin (ten times the amount in broccoli). In Chinese medicine, kale is used to help ease lung congestion.
How much: Like cabbage, the more kale you can eat, the better. A daily serving is ideal. Eat it as much as you can, as long as you can find it fresh at your local grocery or farmer's market. In some areas, it's available all year; in others, it only makes an appearance during summer and fall.

Dandelion
The same pesky weed known for ruining lawns has a long history of being used as a healing herb in cultures around the globe. One cup of raw dandelion greens provides 535 percent of the RDA of vitamin K and 112 percent of the RDA for vitamin A. Dandelion greens are also a good source of vitamin C, calcium, iron, fiber, and potassium. Among all foods, it's one of the richest sources of vitamin A; among all green vegetables, it's one of the best sources of beta-carotene.
Dandelion has been used for centuries to treat hepatitis, kidney, and liver disorders such as kidney stones, jaundice, and cirrhosis. It's routinely prescribed as a natural treatment for hepatitis C, anemia, and liver detoxification (poor liver function has been linked to numerous conditions, from indigestion and hepatitis to irritability and depression). As a natural diuretic, dandelion supports the entire digestive system and increases urine output, helping flush toxins and excess salt from the kidneys. The naturally occurring potassium in dandelions helps prevent the loss of potassium that can occur with pharmaceutical diuretics.
Dandelion promotes digestive health by stimulating bile production, resulting in a gentle laxative effect. Inulin, a naturally occurring soluble fiber in dandelion, further aids digestion by feeding the healthy probiotic bacteria in the intestines; it also increases calcium absorption and has a beneficial effect on blood sugar levels, therefore being useful in treating diabetes. Both the dandelion leaves and root are used to treat heartburn and indigestion. The pectin in dandelion relieves constipation and, in combination with vitamin C, reduces cholesterol. Dandelion is excellent for reducing edema, bloating, and water retention; it can also help reduce high blood pressure. On top of all that, dandelion contains multiple antidiarrheal and antibacterial properties.
In Chinese medicine, dandelion is used in combination with other herbs to treat hepatitis and upper respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. The sap from the stem and root is a topical remedy for warts. Imagine -- all this from a lowly weed!
How much: How much dandelion to incorporate into your diet boils down to two factors: availability and personal preference. Dandelion greens are considered a specialty item in some areas and therefore can be difficult to find. They also have a pungent taste, and people tend to love or hate the flavor. If you can find fresh dandelion greens and you enjoy the taste, make them a regular part of your diet.
Tip:
  • Use the root in soups or sauté it on its own.
  • If the raw leaves are too bitter for you, try them lightly steamed or sautéed
Enjoy your day!

Jaime "Peanut's Mom"

Friday, April 29, 2011

ACTUAL 1st BIRTHDAY...How we spent our day!

Taking a bath...ready to party!!! (As mentioned in the title of this post, these photos are all on Braelyn's actual birthday, Monday, April 25th.)

We went for a walk!  It was so bright, but she wouldn't keep her baby sunglasses on!

Mama pushed me in my swing!

We took out all the toys and played A LOT!

We had snacks. (By the way, Parent's Choice has some great Little Puffs...just as good as Gerber.)

Time for presents!  She got so many great toys and clothes!

Baby Cinderella!

We'll play with the water/activity table a lot this summer!

Mmmmm...CAKE!!!

The after photo...my dainty little eater even got cake in her hair!

With her new baby and sheep, getting ready for bed.  She was reading her favorite book, "Moo, Baa, La, La, La" By Sandra Boynton (I highly recommend her books!)

I'm FINALLY going to take the Princess Decorations down this afternoon.  We celebrate every day like it's her birthday!

Happy 1st Birthday, Little Peanut!!!  Mama loves you so much!!!

COMING NEXT WEEK...MY FAVORITE BABY PRODUCTS, TOYS, ETC.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jaime "Peanut's Mom"

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

MOM BLOG BULLIES

Hi All,

Part II of Birthday/Easter Photo Overload is going to wait today.  I have another agenda...

Please read what my favorite Mom Blogger had to say in a recent post:


You may or may not be aware of blogs known as “hater websites”.  They write nasty blog posts about other bloggers and then others chime in further with nasty comments.  This weekend I was targeted.

I wanted to let them know that they were successful with their goal of spreading hate.  Some of the comments were really hurtful to me and my family.  My 1 year old daughter is described as ugly and compared to a troll.  Other comments spread blatant lies.  I’m not sure why people would get so much pleasure out of spreading hate and hurting people.  I also don’t understand why they would follow my blog if they despise me so much. 

I don’t sling mud in their direction so I’m not sure why they find it necessary to attack me and my family, especially my daughter.


I have followed this blog since I found out that I was pregnant with my daughter.  I am so sickened by the cruelty in this world, especially towards such a lovely woman with such a beautiful little family.  Her daughter, Charlotte, is such a pretty, smart little girl, with the most beautiful eyes and smile!

NOTE:  If any of my readers are aware of these "Hate Sites", please message me with the details.  I would love to help put a stop to this immediately.  I get the whole "freedom of speech" thing, but what are these women teaching their children???

Jaime "Peanut's Mom"

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Day After...PART I

Well, I survived.  I didn't die of a broken heart.  My little girl turned 1 year and we actually had a very fun day!  I only squeezed out a few tears.  The fun is really just beginning.  That's what I have to remember.  There are so many more good memories to come!

Here are a few Easter/Birthday Weekend pictures...I'll catch up, I promise.
Getting ready for her 1st Easter and her Princess Birthday Party!

My 1st Easter Basket!!!

My beautiful tutu and monogrammed onesie that my Mama made me...I was so tired from all the activity!

Grandma helped me find my first egg!

Swinging with Grandma!

My first taste of cake!  Loved the frosting!

PART II comes tomorrow...

Have a great day!

Jaime "Peanut's Mom"

Monday, April 25, 2011

Happy 1st Birthday, Princess Braelyn!!!

Today is the day...it's my Little Peanut's 1st Birthday!!!  I am so excited, yet so sad.  How did this happen?  Where did the time go?  I am going to enjoy every minute that I possibly can with my Birthday Girl, so I'm keeping this extremely short.  I will have pictures from Easter and our Princess Party, with details, tomorrow.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Baby Girl!  Mommy loves you with all of her heart!!!
Have a wonderful April 25th...I know we will!!! =)

Jaime "Peanut's Mom"

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Walking in a Winterish/Springish Wonderland

Is it Spring?  Or Winter?  We don't know either...

How about a before and after???

BEFORE (YESTERDAY MORNING, April 19, 2011...9am)

AFTER (THIS MORNING, April 20, 2011...8am)
See how the poor trees are bending in the background?  The snow is heavy!  We are all so tired of snow and cold!!!

Here is one last picture that I took...just before I walked back inside...
I truly am a Wisconsin Girl, if I took the time to find a little beauty in our snowy scenery, so late in April, when we are all craving sunshine and green grass! (Or maybe because I saw the weather and know that this white **** will only stick around for a couple of days!)

Have a good one and stay warm!

Jaime "Peanut's Mom"

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Here Comes Peter Cottontail...and Peanut's 1st Birthday!

Hi Everyone!
We've been super busy, sorry for the lack of posts! 

The big news of the day?  MORE SNOW!!!  UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Here are a couple of pictures of the start of it...
Little Braelyn's Swing...won't be used for a few days now...
Just minutes within the start of the snow...I'm hearing 10-12 inches!!!???
That's enough to make me sick!  The Easter Bunny is coming, Mother Nature...LAY OFF!!!

I am busy preparing our house for the BIG 1st BIRTHDAY PARTY on Easter Sunday, too.

We are having family over to celebrate both holidays AND Miss Braelyn will share her Princess Party with her cousin, Savannah, who turns 4 in just a few days. 

We're going to have cake, cupcakes, soups and sandwiches.  I'm decorating with a Pink Princess Theme. (OF COURSE!)

Here's my little sweetie, taking a bath this morning...age 11 Months, 3 Weeks and 1 Day...
Yes, she has taken a bath every single day since her cord fell off.  In other (related) news, yes, I shower every day (during her nap) and do full hair and make-up.  Don't judge, we're high maintenance girls!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Jaime "Peanut's Mom"


Monday, April 11, 2011

More Firsts and Weekend Happenings

Happy Monday!

Wow, we had some crazy weather yesterday afternoon/evening here in Wisconsin!  We were under a tornado warning and even went and sat in the basement for 30 minutes.  Yikes.  All is well though.  No damage, just frayed nerves.

I have a lot of cute pictures to post, but will probably break them up into a couple of days, so that I don't overwhelm anyone! (Ha!)

Now that the weather is getting nicer, Braelyn has been enjoying a cookie at the picnic table with Mama almost every day.  She likes to look at the water (river) in our backyard and listen to the loud geese.

(Side note...check out one of my fave Mom Blogs http://exploitsofamilitarymama.com/ for a really sad goose story...)

Here are a few of my recent favorite pictures...

First cookie picnic!
Warm weather also means walks in the stroller!  (I made a note to myself, "must buy baby sunglasses"...notice her little squint/frown?)  It's bright out for us fair-skinned gals!
Daddy put up her new swing!  We thought she'd be scared of it, but she loved it!!!
14 DAYS until my Lil' Peanut turns 1 YEAR!!!

Seriously cannot believe it...

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Who Doesn't Love a Great Bargain???

Good Morning,

I am SPRING-CLEANING and have some SUPER CUTE STUFF that I'm selling on EBAY right now...

Colin Stuart Booties, anyone?

Need an Easter outfit and sandals???

I have a ton of good stuff that I'm practically GIVING away.  Check it out...

We sell our stuff under the Ebay name 'waterstreetwenches54656'.  If you have trouble finding us, please let me know. 

Some items end in just a couple of days, so be sure to check it out!!!

Have a great day!

Jaime "Peanut's Mom"

Tuesday, April 5, 2011