tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67580694166888341202024-03-19T03:29:21.537-04:00TristinandCompanyTristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.comBlogger218125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-23189217682852463222015-09-26T14:19:00.002-04:002015-09-26T14:24:50.058-04:00BENTO for the rest of us (alternately, My Bento Philosophy)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHqKH1mF2hyBYiiRNSkE2-d9VwuR2fsgIrWPETZ_i-sC9_EJa0JxuhTIvuaP1mBhoTXRifuxKRMyrSS0spplVySGs068UOZBae_qNGE8Q5NpKfwEfzFtGUbBItGIjxmOTMgVYqDaYgRkR/s1600/Bentofortherestofus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHqKH1mF2hyBYiiRNSkE2-d9VwuR2fsgIrWPETZ_i-sC9_EJa0JxuhTIvuaP1mBhoTXRifuxKRMyrSS0spplVySGs068UOZBae_qNGE8Q5NpKfwEfzFtGUbBItGIjxmOTMgVYqDaYgRkR/s400/Bentofortherestofus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you google “Bento”, chances are you’ll be overwhelmed by
what pops up. Seriously, I’ll wait
while you peruse the Bento images. If you
do a search on YouTube, the results are even more complicated.</div>
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The things some people do with their kids’ lunches are <i>amazing</i>.
Mermaids with hair made of ramen and tails made of shrimp. Perfect replicas of SpongeBob made of
cheese. Teddy bears made of rice. It’s fascinating—so I totally get it when
people say that Bento packing is overwhelming and they’ll stick with plastic
bags, thank you.</div>
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I get it. But you
know what? There<i> are</i> bentos for the rest of us.
Those of us who aren’t able to recreate Van Gogh’s Starry Starry Night
with pasta can still make visually appealing meals that nourish our kids. </div>
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Long ago, after watching my father-in-law scarf down some
treat that I’d taken my time with, I swore, NEVER AGAIN. Never again would the “making” of one
individual item take more time it takes to consume said item. And more or less, I stick to this
principle. I am still learning to keep things
simple (and surprisingly, the simple things are usually more pleasing).</div>
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Ultimately, the bento boxes that I pack are a means to an
end. Elliott has to go to school. She
needs to eat. Her school does not have
school lunches, so I have to pack a lunch.
Thanks to bento boxes, rather than having to shop specifically for lunch
items, I can just shop like normal and incorporate whatever’s in the fridge
into a cute, portable box. This makes
Momma happy—and somehow, the process becomes enjoyable for me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPp9fzJaxB6gKbuQyRHt8Ai9Jxsecla2AzFp0i5zDfhxHDBUbUlIluPoLHRHrK7ZjCCVsiJzBgUF9F_2v7NKesDxeanJPuwx3puZRFZE0pqmLe7qHJEe_WWhyphenhyphenQLMjXash2w9C3oFcF4lED/s1600/boxfoodtransport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPp9fzJaxB6gKbuQyRHt8Ai9Jxsecla2AzFp0i5zDfhxHDBUbUlIluPoLHRHrK7ZjCCVsiJzBgUF9F_2v7NKesDxeanJPuwx3puZRFZE0pqmLe7qHJEe_WWhyphenhyphenQLMjXash2w9C3oFcF4lED/s400/boxfoodtransport.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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Box. Food. Transport.</div>
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See? That’s how simple it is. <i>That’s essentially all a bento is</i>. Guilt is optional.</div>
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No need to get swept up in thinking you have to be an
artist. No need to hate on the ones who do it
well. A lot of comments I hear about
Bento is that “those people have too much time on their hands”, or “I could never do
that, so why try?” Sure, some folks are
awesome bento-packers, but that doesn’t make you less awesome—and it certainly doesn’t
mean you can’t try the concept. I have a
few boxes and few fun accessories to keep visual appeal; ultimately the main
point of lunch-packing for every parent is nourishment for their kids.</div>
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I’m a firm believer that perfectionism impedes progress. In fact, I hear those words cross my lips
frequently. Don’t let the Olaf-replicas
formed out of rice hold you back. </div>
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At the end of the day, you <i>can</i> buy a fun box and fill it with food that nourishes your family<i>. </i><b>Bam.</b><i>
Mission accomplished.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Box.</div>
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Food.</div>
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Transport.<br />
(You've got this!)</div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>For inspiration for fun yet SIMPLE bentos, check out some of these sites:</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.meetthedubiens.com/category/bento-boxes" target="_blank">Meet the Dubiens.</a></div>
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<a href="http://foodforharper.com/" target="_blank">Food for Harper.</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.howaboutcookie.com/" target="_blank">How about cookie.</a></div>
<a href="http://wendolonia.com/blog/" target="_blank">Wendolonia.</a>Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com217tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-88850182854411935492015-09-10T17:12:00.000-04:002015-09-10T17:13:04.878-04:00Aldi Food Finds.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxeglZsBIEJul95ci8XTDyIGD8nwruqavb2v4pV9BySkEKx2dfAFPiDmJ1n1iMDtOXZ_UaZGbRLFI4Sm22B4gtZdLHdeJV_fT5JD8NNTydrJYAM1C1JzU1m6fvS9FSREZ8pLUatz3n8mx/s1600/aldi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxeglZsBIEJul95ci8XTDyIGD8nwruqavb2v4pV9BySkEKx2dfAFPiDmJ1n1iMDtOXZ_UaZGbRLFI4Sm22B4gtZdLHdeJV_fT5JD8NNTydrJYAM1C1JzU1m6fvS9FSREZ8pLUatz3n8mx/s1600/aldi.jpg" /></a></div>
I have a love/hate relationship with Aldi. On one hand, I just adore their growing selection and their prices, but then again, I despise the lack of consistency of what they have in stock and the fact that I feel uneasy buying many things there (like meat, for instance). Their produce tends to be hit-or-miss, as well--which either leaves me feeling amazing for the deals and quality I've stumbled upon, or it leaves me with another stop to make to shop for produce. Yeah, #firstworldproblems, I know, I know.<br />
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My Aldi hangups certainly are not deal-breakers, though--I shop there at least once a month. It's the most affordable place locally to buy eggs, kefir, and canned pantry staples.<br />
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I thought touday I'd share some of my favorite recent Aldi finds.<br />
<br />
Happy Farms spreadable cheese wedges - yes, it's a processed cheese product (yes, <i>real cheese is better</i>), just like the Laughing Cow wedges. The ingredient list is almost identical--but the price is drastically different. While Publix charges $3.49 for Laughing Cow wedges, Aldi charges $1.29 for this seemingly identical product. Sweeeet. For the record, I'd never pay $3.49 for the 6 cheese wedges, but I'm happy to keep some of the knock-off version in my fridge.<br />
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Lunch Mate Uncured Black Forest Ham, 7 oz. The comparable product in a regular grocery store would be Applegate Farms Black Forest Ham, also 7 oz. While the Publix price on the Applegate packages of lunch meat is $4.99, Aldi charges only $3.29 for the same weight, and the quality is identical in my opinion. I make every effort to buy uncured meats for my family in order to avoid the sodium nitrates/nitrites. I'm not always successful, but Aldi having a low-cost alternative to Applegate Farms lunch meat is definitely a step in the right direction.<br />
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Cocoa Almonds, 12 oz. I love snacking on almonds, cashews, and sunflower seeds and Aldi has been a great place to stock up on those items. Their prices run consistently 30-40% less than most grocery stores. This bag of almonds is $4.99 at Aldi, whereas comparable sized cocoa almonds run about $6.99 elsewhere. There's a bonus here, though--the ingredient list is BETTER at Aldi. Just almonds, cocoa powder, sugar and oil. The major brand cocoa almonds contain sucralose (Splenda) and a longer ingredient list. This, my friends, is a win.<br />
<br />
So, what are your thoughts about Aldi? Any successes for your family?<br />
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<br />Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-2359595750039526592015-09-10T16:45:00.002-04:002015-09-10T17:07:35.212-04:00Small successes and simple lunches.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWFxVwCnVD-vY2ICav4GVZbjw0UcTs9nTTmOlIRiAHj3zy_42em7QeoQ7LEq4I4LubggHUXwi2najIBBkjJ3Puygqb3ukNCmti6TozeVahIccZWAsWLQ3S6Lw94Xb_2jyYGuz3PnCbOj9/s1600/goodbyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWFxVwCnVD-vY2ICav4GVZbjw0UcTs9nTTmOlIRiAHj3zy_42em7QeoQ7LEq4I4LubggHUXwi2najIBBkjJ3Puygqb3ukNCmti6TozeVahIccZWAsWLQ3S6Lw94Xb_2jyYGuz3PnCbOj9/s1600/goodbyn.jpg" /></a></div>
Lunches:<br />
<br />
Banana-buttermilk muffin, cottage cheese, honeydew, crackers with peanut butter, carrot sticks.<br />
Chicken salad croissant, fruit, cheese wedge and crackers.<br />
Chicken salad croissant, fruit, cukes and hummus.<br />
Apples, carrots and cucumber slices, crackers with P.B. and cream cheese for spreading.<br />
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I think kids in just about every part of the U.S. are back to school now since Labor Day has come and gone--so welcome back to the school routine.<br />
<br />
I have to admit that though I love the routine of school, our mornings are often pretty stressful. One of the things that's proven to be most difficult is breakfast. While they<i> claim</i> to wake up ravenous, my kids seem to just pick at their breakfasts. I've had a bit of success in two ways with our new school routine--first of all, breakfast is now the last thing we do before we leave the house. I used to give the girls their breakfast immediately upon waking--but now we're getting dressed, including shoes, getting hair done, etc. and then having breakfast last. This shift has been hugely successful. The second thing is muffins. I've been keeping homemade muffins around--and it makes breakfast a breeze. A muffin is easy to pair with yogurt, fruit, or hard boiled eggs for a yummy, homemade and quick breakfast. Those two things are worth mentioning as successful around here--what's working for you?Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-33389619215490322412015-08-21T14:01:00.002-04:002015-08-21T14:01:54.889-04:00First grade, week two!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4iMdhzIs8KsNhYq3ZqmnPMoSHH6-jH-fKhSpqi6HxOQgTh_kUC9QzeYp0ut46QJ2xiqARvx-cPqS-TT6YORaQ1tapq36dOcbxtCJ6vEzQLGwShLC7Ci70Wa6wNaEOJ1N1OVDJ3JAWY4R/s1600/week2firstgrade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4iMdhzIs8KsNhYq3ZqmnPMoSHH6-jH-fKhSpqi6HxOQgTh_kUC9QzeYp0ut46QJ2xiqARvx-cPqS-TT6YORaQ1tapq36dOcbxtCJ6vEzQLGwShLC7Ci70Wa6wNaEOJ1N1OVDJ3JAWY4R/s1600/week2firstgrade.jpg" /></a></div>
Elliott is taking a more active role in expressing her lunchtime desires this year--it's almost as if she just now had the realization that she could make specific requests! She really likes the "homemade lunchables" concept, though I think she sometimes wishes I'd just buy the packaged stuff for her. Kids.<br />
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Lunches this week:<br />
Tuna salad and crackers, rainbow fruit and veggie box.<br />
DIY lunchable, veggies and leftover caramelized peaches and apples. <br />
Crackers, pepperoni and cheddar chunks, veggies and lentil hummus, blueberries.<br />
Leftover buttermilk mashed potatoes, grapes and blueberries, veggies and spinach dip.<br />
<br />
Elliott's librarian asked me (hey Ms. Darlene!) "Does she really eat that?" The answer is yes! She doesn't always eat all of it, and some things are refused (this week, it was the spinach dip--little sis loves it, big sis hates it!) but more or less, this is what she eats. <br />
<br />
So, what's in your lunchbox?Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-18215843128113347202015-08-17T11:02:00.000-04:002015-08-17T11:04:47.414-04:00First Week of First Grade - Bento packing is baaaaack!Unintentionally, I took the entire summer off! I guess I don't have a whole lot to say when I'm not packing lunches. Oh, who am I kidding, I always have too much to say. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp4JoibKSc-bzjYhvh4S9se3Xiz2HRFNxQOK2UgE7IYSdJIEf6l7BE1qnoiGdsqZqoVslfVCvyQAxW7Sdv0Do0wBZli3oqZ6Ck6QKd8NDBvo_3lToLezHco-QdloKwvuLhyNXvvxBziBH/s1600/firstgradefirstweek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp4JoibKSc-bzjYhvh4S9se3Xiz2HRFNxQOK2UgE7IYSdJIEf6l7BE1qnoiGdsqZqoVslfVCvyQAxW7Sdv0Do0wBZli3oqZ6Ck6QKd8NDBvo_3lToLezHco-QdloKwvuLhyNXvvxBziBH/s1600/firstgradefirstweek.jpg" /></a></div>
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I can't believe my Elliott is now in first grade. She was <i>not </i>excited to go back to school, but she really enjoyed her first week and her outlook is now a bit more optimistic. Yay! Ain't nothing more discouraging than a kiddo who isn't looking forward to first grade...I mean, she has A LOT of years ahead!</div>
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On to lunches. </div>
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Mickey Mouse English muffin pizza, strawberries, grapes, veggies.</div>
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Oranges, carrots, peaches, Wheat Thins, pepperoni, ham & muenster.</div>
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PB& celery, watermelon, oranges, cream cheese and raspberry jam pinwheels.</div>
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Rainbow fruit & veg, organic white cheddar puffs, salami, Triscuits and a cheese wedge.</div>
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What are your kiddos begging for in their lunches? Elliott was thrilled with the English muffin pizzas and the organic cheese puffs (an Aldi knock-off of Pirate's Booty). </div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tricom02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00881W66Y&asins=B00881W66Y&linkId=2FKWEVWMGH2H7XMX&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; text-align: center; width: 120px;"></iframe><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tricom02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00881Y5WW&asins=B00881Y5WW&linkId=CSC543YVLO5PTAQH&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; text-align: center; width: 120px;"></iframe><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tricom02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00HG95V52&asins=B00HG95V52&linkId=FZ5SGS2EUDIZH7MQ&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; text-align: center; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>
Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-79844747903675765972015-05-26T21:59:00.000-04:002015-05-26T21:59:07.377-04:00Bentos for the last week of school.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKroBKbGdlP5wJME4NbJf4fmppdadrRFrJHJXgHTRQ62n_UTxJKEQCV8uIqNGn09mYeWNpW2y1x7Y0tQ0y9qC3Q_mjcqu0ma0I9RKfNEJytRRNTwerrvIfOoq1yDoLv9mtwma9hV3OZMOU/s1600/bentomay2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKroBKbGdlP5wJME4NbJf4fmppdadrRFrJHJXgHTRQ62n_UTxJKEQCV8uIqNGn09mYeWNpW2y1x7Y0tQ0y9qC3Q_mjcqu0ma0I9RKfNEJytRRNTwerrvIfOoq1yDoLv9mtwma9hV3OZMOU/s1600/bentomay2.jpg" /></a></div>
Just because school's out doesn't mean I'm done with bento-packing. I'm hypothesizing that our bentos will come along on many picnics and beach days, and that I'll often pack lunches ahead at night so that there are fewer things to do during the day. There's nothing worse to kids than swimming and having to come in, shivering in the A/C and waiting while Mom preps lunch. Hopefully a grab-and-go lunch packed the night before means that I can be a more fun Mom this summer (you know, hypothetically).<br />
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For now, I'm sharing the lunches from the last week of school. Elliott is beside herself enthusiastic that school is no longer in session. Monday alone, we swam 3 different times. Need I explain her enthusiasm?<br />
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Muenster, honeydew, crackers, ham, Biscoff cookie.<br />
Grilled turkey and cheese, carrot sticks, carrot sticks, kiwi, cheese stick.<br />
Salami and ham, muenster, grapes, crackers.<br />
Cole slaw, cucumber chunk, raspberries, hot dog (mother of the year, I know, I know).<br />
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Worth noting is that I try to make sure all of our deli meats are free of sodium nitrates/nitrites. All of the meats you see in this photo are exactly that, even the hot dog. Yeah, I realize that it's <i>still</i> a hot dog, but hopefully the lack of additives makes it more of a win. ; )Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-52293578807385696152015-05-20T12:18:00.001-04:002015-05-20T12:18:47.577-04:00Last week in Bento.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWubWmGHVNVsBpSc2DEHxCofb-udVgXBSn6IcswZTTqBe-MY57h3JNSPNxXLCPxAbxxopTF9xmvBzPkFCXsf83uxIhBQ-h5MFFoQBCIc3hPgU9qIGdSSfP5WL57T7JCJYaPhIDNDAHJQyZ/s1600/bentomay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWubWmGHVNVsBpSc2DEHxCofb-udVgXBSn6IcswZTTqBe-MY57h3JNSPNxXLCPxAbxxopTF9xmvBzPkFCXsf83uxIhBQ-h5MFFoQBCIc3hPgU9qIGdSSfP5WL57T7JCJYaPhIDNDAHJQyZ/s1600/bentomay.jpg" /></a></div>
The Goodbyn small meal containers have definitely surpassed the Goodbyn Bynto as my favorite. I like that I can pack them to the brim and they come home empty, as if it contains exactly the right amount of food for my hungry 5-year-old.<br />
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Cheese stick, ham chunks, pretzels, honeydew.<br />
Egg salad, Triscuits, hummus-stuffed pepper, kiwi, blackberries.<br />
Blackberries, chips, homemade Catalina dressing and taco salad leftovers.<br />
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My kiddos have been enjoying berries and nuts a lot for snack lately, and I count it a huge snacking success. The <a href="http://store.goodbyn.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=20106&CartID=2" target="_blank">Goodbyn snack containers</a> (and <a href="http://store.goodbyn.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=20110&CartID=1" target="_blank">small meal containers</a>) are on clearance on the company website, so stock up before they're gone--I promise you won't regret it. (And no, Goodbyn doesn't sponsor my posts, I really just love their colorful and functional containers.)<br />
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Pictured in the snack containers is:<br />
Pepitas & blackberries.<br />
Raspberries and sunflower seeds.Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-48032667220709198262015-05-08T16:00:00.000-04:002015-05-08T16:00:01.018-04:00Boring Bentos.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDvVXLPZJDgb5tQfRHY8_-sT80M3foLGFzyIojW55engLNGZ37OysryHVO3317shY-AwXQEjTE_Ce47q78CBA6Xt_C8wwT62ltDxtqND2bwxlOCqahOak_ZLNt1yAvgKXX6E14k3iAQEF/s1600/Bentoapril.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDvVXLPZJDgb5tQfRHY8_-sT80M3foLGFzyIojW55engLNGZ37OysryHVO3317shY-AwXQEjTE_Ce47q78CBA6Xt_C8wwT62ltDxtqND2bwxlOCqahOak_ZLNt1yAvgKXX6E14k3iAQEF/s1600/Bentoapril.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">I know that bloggers are supposed to come up with super-exciting titles for their posts, and they're also supposed to post regularly and do everything cute-to-the-max. Well, welcome to my real world. Things are done with love, not necessarily cuteness, and definitely not perfection. But done is better than not done, and anything done with love is worth mentioning. In other words, please forgive the post title. ; )</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Here are the lunch deets:</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">1. <a href="http://www.budgetbytes.com/2010/09/naan/" target="_blank">Homemade naan</a>, ham, cucumbers, cheese wedge, honeydew. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">2. Carrots, peanut butter, apples, ham sandwich, green olives, boiled eggs.</span><br />
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3. Plain yogurt with homemade jam, grapes, cheese wedge, Triscuits, ham, green olive.</div>
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4. Grapes, carrots, hummus, chicken potstickers.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tricom02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00881W66Y&asins=B00881W66Y&linkId=2FKWEVWMGH2H7XMX&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; text-align: center; width: 120px;"></iframe><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tricom02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00881Y5WW&asins=B00881Y5WW&linkId=CSC543YVLO5PTAQH&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; text-align: center; width: 120px;"></iframe><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tricom02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00M2U9Z48&asins=B00M2U9Z48&linkId=OHH2QJASDMU5ZM6F&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; text-align: center; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tricom02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00HG95V52&asins=B00HG95V52&linkId=FZ5SGS2EUDIZH7MQ&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; text-align: center; width: 120px;"></iframe>Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-40377199296743691682015-04-24T11:35:00.000-04:002015-04-24T11:35:04.636-04:00Spring Craft Organizing Made Easy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Because of Florida's climate, there just ain't no such thing as Spring. We go from HOT to ehh, it's kind of cool, to HOT and friends let me tell you, it's already summer here. It's a great excuse to forego Spring cleaning. This year, however, I was asked to participate in Spring Cleaning Made Easy with QVC and I always appreciate a little kick in the rear to get myself going, so I accepted the offer. </div>
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QVC had many offerings of spring cleaning and organization products, but the <a href="http://qvc.co/TristinandCompany_H164200" target="_blank">spinning cosmetic organizer</a> intrigued me the most... only, I have like, no cosmetics. I have two lipsticks (one of which was a gift---maybe sending a hint my way?), one mascara, and three vials of BareMinerals at any given time. That's literally all I have in terms of cosmetics... but craft supplies? Yep. That's where I have a bountiful collection. I immediately saw the potential for the <a href="http://qvc.co/TristinandCompany_H164200" target="_blank">spinning cosmetic organizer</a> to be a great asset to my Project Life stash.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3OZ0zBn0q18FV0ulCmbpzqmJZQMCEl3jd7MEsSuNm7UAElo_CC3EA7YGwU6ju6TivaJ_0Xfl3oBMUkP5EaKrzvFc5zssoPkDL4A7irSazPqz71aSEytb8BHePH30okhF7EvJvvIjhzrf/s1600/organizer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3OZ0zBn0q18FV0ulCmbpzqmJZQMCEl3jd7MEsSuNm7UAElo_CC3EA7YGwU6ju6TivaJ_0Xfl3oBMUkP5EaKrzvFc5zssoPkDL4A7irSazPqz71aSEytb8BHePH30okhF7EvJvvIjhzrf/s1600/organizer1.jpg" /></a></div>
Project Life is a pocket-based memory keeping system and it is how I document my family's stories and memories. Almost two years ago, my sister-in-law at age 35 was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I haven't mentioned it before here, but it was a real shock to our family, as you can imagine. She's been through so many things--surgeries, rough treatments, and everything in between and will continue to do so. There's nothing that puts your own mortality before you like finding out a loved one has such an illness. It was at the point that Angie was diagnosed with brain cancer that I determined to be a memory keeper for my family. I realized that life is fragile, and I really felt the need to get my photos off the computer and into something tangible for the sake of my daughters. A photo album seemed like not quite enough, but true scrapbooking was too daunting a task--and that's when I found Project Life. The happiest of happy mediums.<br />
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Here are some examples of my Project Life pages--can you see how the journaling is integrated right along with the photos? I really love it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1qIIvvlOVTvgMUifDngVha1rDbfDnIYP03UnXVky_HRLLoQnXmukDRjSevKidyC0aYu4B4dma4QO6RtkkVAay5Tp4ZEDW0wnKlHjRwo6x_j1ZIVvtxlHy5Z7QN5TUkGD5P9a9QgrXMtZ/s1600/organizer4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1qIIvvlOVTvgMUifDngVha1rDbfDnIYP03UnXVky_HRLLoQnXmukDRjSevKidyC0aYu4B4dma4QO6RtkkVAay5Tp4ZEDW0wnKlHjRwo6x_j1ZIVvtxlHy5Z7QN5TUkGD5P9a9QgrXMtZ/s1600/organizer4.jpg" /></a></div>
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Regrettably, I do not have a dedicated craft space. I know, first world problems, right? My supplies are locked away in various closets and small spaces, so when I get in the mood to craft, gathering my supplies becomes quite the production, and don't even get me started on having to put it all away after I'm finished. Not my favorite, for sure. The <a href="http://qvc.co/TristinandCompany_H164200" target="_blank">spinning organizer</a> houses all of my Project Life stash from my <a href="http://www.studiocalico.com/welcome?ref=0420c481" target="_blank">Studio Calico kits</a>. (Studio Calico offers awesome monthly subscription packages for supplies--it has proven to be a fun way to build up my Project Life stash.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlG5ymfR5W87DxDDwWo99nTi96B8Cvmk9gW5TDpGzY9Ax0nAjWYvfQciEA9jeGZ6O8l-5cIdeICg_4Lki4Ie2FcJZEuDB7UjMluT39HCbD7LUYfcQgxgCGz-SgGCHMHiw9f3bIU7nhbQB/s1600/organizer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlG5ymfR5W87DxDDwWo99nTi96B8Cvmk9gW5TDpGzY9Ax0nAjWYvfQciEA9jeGZ6O8l-5cIdeICg_4Lki4Ie2FcJZEuDB7UjMluT39HCbD7LUYfcQgxgCGz-SgGCHMHiw9f3bIU7nhbQB/s1600/organizer2.jpg" /></a></div>
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In order to customize my <a href="http://qvc.co/TristinandCompany_H164200" target="_blank">spinning organizer</a> to accommodate my supplies, I simply added a large rubber band that runs the circumference of the lower portion--it prevents my cards and supplies from shifting and falling out. Simple adaptation, right? The slotted portions that are meant to hold small eye shadow compacts are great for housing stamps and washi tape.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNzFMujzAc5LdtKxHbloHMcIsyy8sU6RHXY0SW8YHHo6A5SDNa9gh-zVDB9e0noWwDxyX9pvTPuv4F-ZuT9jK3ggIvJ9yITApJiB4BVLdU6GIO0KLoWrAaZZx4K9TU3wpKuyf_LOodEoP/s1600/organizer3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNzFMujzAc5LdtKxHbloHMcIsyy8sU6RHXY0SW8YHHo6A5SDNa9gh-zVDB9e0noWwDxyX9pvTPuv4F-ZuT9jK3ggIvJ9yITApJiB4BVLdU6GIO0KLoWrAaZZx4K9TU3wpKuyf_LOodEoP/s1600/organizer3.jpg" /></a></div>
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The top tray is removable in case you want to grab just your tall items like markers, pens and brushes. The spinning cosmetic organizer is a great fit for the typical 3x4", 4x4" and 4x6" sized cards for Project Life.<br />
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So yes, this is a <a href="http://qvc.co/TristinandCompany_H164200" target="_blank">cosmetic organizer</a> and I can tell it'd be great for cosmetics if that's your thing--but for a crafter, an organizer like this is <i>very</i> useful and practical. I'm smitten, honestly. All of my supplies are within arms reach and they're all housed in one place, rather than being in separate boxes and places. When I'm in the mood to work on my Project Life album, it's as simple as pulling out this one organizer instead of multiple boxes. <br />
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Thanks, to <a href="http://qvc.co/TristinandCompany_YHJHome" target="_blank">Jill</a> for inviting me to get a bit of Spring organizing done--it wouldn't have happened without your prompting! And on that note, we have company this weekend and it's about time to get off the computer and into cleaning mode. See? All I need is a kick in the pants and I'll eventually get things done. ; )<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Jill Bauer, QVC’s Home-Savvy Hostess, hosts the network’s popular show, “<a href="http://qvc.co/TristinandCompany_YHJHome" target="_blank">You’re Home with Jill®</a>” and provides fans with simple solutions for their busy lives through innovative products, a library of stress-free DIY projects, and crowd-pleasing recipes. Fans can connect with Jill on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram @jillbauerqvc.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Disclaimer: <span style="font-family: inherit;">I received the Spinning Cosmetic Organizer at no cost; Tristin & Company has no </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">relationship with QVC that could materially affect the weight consumers place on my review. And yep, there are affiliate links in this post. </span></span>Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-11507914353393835372015-04-23T16:24:00.000-04:002015-04-23T16:24:37.565-04:00This week in Bento.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I just scored a great deal on some <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00881Y5WW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00881Y5WW&linkCode=as2&tag=tricom02-20&linkId=FKP5W6DMKUBYRJVX%22%3EGoodbyn%20Small%20Meal%20Box,%20Pink%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tricom02-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00881Y5WW%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Goodbyn Small Meal boxes</a> and I've really enjoyed packing these bentos this week. The boxes look small and to compensate, I've filled these small meal boxes to the gill. They hold quite a bit of food--definitely enough quantity and plenty of variety, too. Overall, I'm pretty stoked about these boxes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTION0dvRgyvEz3iwLdpO9a6pFofZrZ68jEA_HhzXgHWCP1aG18a4VbxIj2G18E-XD4qDMaCUHbocSwKdraQstLqJeOktIg93Wh9CJYw_gzs7vswvqr98XF1AhVd0qrEvLPYzTEHYV9l5/s1600/bentosmallmeal1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTION0dvRgyvEz3iwLdpO9a6pFofZrZ68jEA_HhzXgHWCP1aG18a4VbxIj2G18E-XD4qDMaCUHbocSwKdraQstLqJeOktIg93Wh9CJYw_gzs7vswvqr98XF1AhVd0qrEvLPYzTEHYV9l5/s1600/bentosmallmeal1.jpg" /></a></div>
For some reason, Elliott has been uncharacteristically enthusiastic about her lunches this week. While I'd like to take credit for the success, it's probably just the new boxes that have caused the spike in enthusiasm. But a girl can dream, right?<br />
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1. Clementine, honeydew, fried rice, hard-boiled bunny egg, muenster slices.<br />
2. Carrots and honey-mustard, grapes, cocoa almonds, Applegate Farms ham, crackers, cheese wedge.<br />
3. Grapes, chia pudding, ham and cream cheese pinwheels, olives, carrots.<br />
4. Ham, crackers, apple/craisin/sunflower seed/yogurt/cinnamon salad.<br />
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What lunches are your kids loving lately?<br />
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Yep, there are affiliate links in this post.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tricom02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00881W66Y&asins=B00881W66Y&linkId=2FKWEVWMGH2H7XMX&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-70654199733880045952015-04-17T14:42:00.000-04:002015-04-17T14:44:03.470-04:00Using Dinner Leftovers in Bentos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgSjeZ-6CbLfvRs8mKFCEdS9xHoym3ddCmGdydxRhDDBJ_N5tJNVzrxfWz0vPUe1PKkPnu8MnX5HcMqajaIiuOi2I7MmQteio4QUX8vmTN56YZVqO9gObUe-b_ycLzVGuK7Y0Aayr7JM4/s1600/leftoverbento.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgSjeZ-6CbLfvRs8mKFCEdS9xHoym3ddCmGdydxRhDDBJ_N5tJNVzrxfWz0vPUe1PKkPnu8MnX5HcMqajaIiuOi2I7MmQteio4QUX8vmTN56YZVqO9gObUe-b_ycLzVGuK7Y0Aayr7JM4/s1600/leftoverbento.jpg" /></a></div>
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Nerd alert: I still love packing school lunches. By no means are my bentos the cutest, definitely not anything too noteworthy, but I seriously <i>love</i> packing these lunch boxes. </div>
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One thing I've noticed is that I don't really "shop" for school lunch items. The food I buy is basically all for the purpose of feeding the family--none is ever specifically purchased for the sake of school lunches. Since I never have a plan when it comes to packing Elliott's lunches, she often ends up with dinner leftovers and odds and ends in her lunch. As far as I know, she enjoys it--you know, the box comes home mostly empty, so I'm calling it a success. Here are a few of the lunches she's had lately that have contained leftovers.</div>
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1. Leftover grilled teriyaki chicken and pineapple, meunster/olives/goldfish, strawberries.</div>
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2. Leftover<a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/chopped-taco-salad-with-homemade-catalina-dressing/" target="_blank"> taco salad with Fritos and homemade Catalina dressing</a>, clementine, prunes</div>
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3. Leftover BBQ pork, <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/top-secret-recipes-version-of-kfc-coleslaw-by-todd-wilbur-33489" target="_blank">cole slaw</a>, Triscuits and nectarines, honeydew</div>
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4. Leftover <a href="http://damndelicious.net/2014/07/18/copycat-chick-fil-nuggets/" target="_blank">copycat Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets</a> and honey mustard, <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/top-secret-recipes-version-of-kfc-coleslaw-by-todd-wilbur-33489" target="_blank">cole slaw</a>, veggies and ranch, grapes</div>
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One concern is always food safety--I covered that in <a href="http://www.tristinandcompany.com/2014/09/keeping-lunch-safe.html" target="_blank">this post</a>. We're also still loving <a href="http://www.tristinandcompany.com/2015/04/bentos-and-some-thermos-love.html" target="_blank">the thermos</a> for sending leftovers in the lunch bag. I hate food waste and utilizing leftovers in the lunch box is proving to be a time and money saver. Yay!</div>
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<br />Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-57193590422822471942015-04-03T06:00:00.000-04:002015-04-03T06:00:06.369-04:00The unexpected milestones.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81UHb0Cf2KqdUftYL1cCkPVYFukeL_oteDnNU2MMOgyNjUbtm_HrZDnZDI_26iiVUSyY2EBVOH0EhhXVJweFvXsMKOE4PO9dlI4f6nX6e4qW1F-iwFCkCh2fEsccmVtQ77JUBR7WFEu0K/s1600/milestones4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81UHb0Cf2KqdUftYL1cCkPVYFukeL_oteDnNU2MMOgyNjUbtm_HrZDnZDI_26iiVUSyY2EBVOH0EhhXVJweFvXsMKOE4PO9dlI4f6nX6e4qW1F-iwFCkCh2fEsccmVtQ77JUBR7WFEu0K/s1600/milestones4.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've been reflecting a lot on the milestones of my children that I hadn't anticipated. In a few short months, Elliott will turn 6 and Bennett will turn 3. I've been hit with the realization that though I still feel like such a novice, <i>I don't even have babies anymore</i>! It's both exhilarating and terrifying--moving into this new territory. <br />
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Along the way, there were certain milestones I looked forward to--like weaning, the completion of potty-training, and sleeping through the night. Honestly, we're still working on the whole sleeping through the night thing with Bennett, a milestone I'd assumed would happen a few months into her life, but (oops!) I was wrong. Luckily, the other milestones have come pretty easily.<br />
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But then there are the unexpected milestones--the ones I never really thought about--the ones that once they actually happen, you realize how awesome they are. Some are significant, others are not, but they're milestones nonetheless.<br />
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<b>Buckling their own car seat. </b>Who knew such a small and mundane task, when completed by my child, was cause for celebration? Since my kids are on the small (err, like <i>seriously small</i> for their ages) side, I know that we are going to have a longtime love affair with carseats. Not having to buckle both of those 5 point harnesses every time we load up? Priceless. <br />
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<b>Sitting on a park bench. (Me, not the kids.) </b>At almost three, Bennett is now venturing away from me on the playground. My friend Tabby and I often take our gals to the park and marvel at the fact that we now occasionally get to sit back and chat, guilt-free, while the kids occupy themselves. It's a far cry from that chaos that park trips consisted of a few years ago, right Tabby?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHECLEoBdIfQPGPc6owd0dl0kYTzrEg-U7JO3owJ3IK6zJLYojSBjFzOPBvLahhnNh27iclvw37o_T6uGpqkRkXmpvkshTiO6tqsifVYsASUs5lac1fwgIsB43kvHKxw-bNFraAzWbIFSV/s1600/milestones2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHECLEoBdIfQPGPc6owd0dl0kYTzrEg-U7JO3owJ3IK6zJLYojSBjFzOPBvLahhnNh27iclvw37o_T6uGpqkRkXmpvkshTiO6tqsifVYsASUs5lac1fwgIsB43kvHKxw-bNFraAzWbIFSV/s1600/milestones2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Skipping a nap without major repercussions. </b>I'm not going to say that I a fan of skipping naps--they're still a high priority on my daily list. However, there's so much freedom in knowing that if we happen to have to shift or skip naptime, it won't be World War III.<br />
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<b>Managing sickness. </b>Without going into details, kids are gross. Elliott, at almost 6, can handle the majority of her bodily functions on her own, and this includes maintaining good aim when sick (which thankfully is RARE). Not having to change clothing and sheets when a bug hits is a bonus for everyone. I can't yet say the same for little sis, so for now, Stanley Steemer and I are pretty tight and I know easier days are in store.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sOxqCvNSxsMfNOigpxT0MzQD05tZzY19vEfiwDLvyhyphenhyphenvyivS_fdepDe1U9kicK8gIQnomAbb0TN8k3f6kn6Cks3-w8GeZDknUA8WTMpwiNwrN_PZL0Bjf5vkWNCjEZkZLu0hmywEOrwD/s1600/milestones1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sOxqCvNSxsMfNOigpxT0MzQD05tZzY19vEfiwDLvyhyphenhyphenvyivS_fdepDe1U9kicK8gIQnomAbb0TN8k3f6kn6Cks3-w8GeZDknUA8WTMpwiNwrN_PZL0Bjf5vkWNCjEZkZLu0hmywEOrwD/s1600/milestones1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>No diaper bag. </b>No diapers, no diaper bag. Niiiiiiicee.<br />
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<b>Drinking from a straw. </b>I think my girls each picked up the skill of drinking through a straw around the age of one. This was a game-changer for me because it meant that I no longer had to be in constant possession of a sippy cup. Don't even get me started on how much I hate the phrase "sippy cup", and even worse than that was washing the things and all those teeny holes and plastic valves. I'm grateful that we're in the regular ol' cup stage around the house, but I do remember when the babes learning to drink from a straw was a game-changer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79-zpRPiOZjJ2pususlvG4COHXiN_kjzvArTBEAd5NaRIboUF9ugO8NltkzwqlywAiNalWWhP3Dcq6_7C7dAXxKiyQmp0G6Xp-GVOxZ6AOO3Tpnz4muWtqI67koXcmKxJ8anLDdLFeokZ/s1600/milestones3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79-zpRPiOZjJ2pususlvG4COHXiN_kjzvArTBEAd5NaRIboUF9ugO8NltkzwqlywAiNalWWhP3Dcq6_7C7dAXxKiyQmp0G6Xp-GVOxZ6AOO3Tpnz4muWtqI67koXcmKxJ8anLDdLFeokZ/s1600/milestones3.jpg" /></a></div>
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A few of these milestones recently joined up to equal our family's first camping trip. Like, a for real sleeping-in-the-tent-all-night-long camping trip. And shocker--it was <b>SO</b> enjoyable! <br />
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I've been told that other unanticipated milestones are coming. A very wise and seasoned Mom recently told me a neat milestone to look forward to is when the kids can bathe themselves. I hadn't even considered this rite of passage, and I realize I'm still years away, but man oh man, the ability to say "go take a shower" without having to be involved? That's going to be a good day.<br />
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I'd love to know some of your favorite unexpected milestones.Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-47694328597635055532015-04-02T16:23:00.000-04:002015-04-02T16:24:28.260-04:00Bentos and some Thermos Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the midst of my many long and unintended blogging breaks, a lot of life happens--and often this life is still documented with the intent of posting, but obviously you can see how far those intentions take me. The ideas for content are endless, the inspiration is infinite, but the actual doing? Well, you know how that goes. </div>
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Every weekday I pack a bento. Sometimes I even remember to take a photo. Here's some evidence:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6f-uy_JpGVYejxLTOIMQ6bYHDjdtEgdySSosO1brmbPTnQRALunp8yPadwUhPNJdQFH0JthlF9Q6r4_C1MVzR-cikoxWYLwvX-zXYIXWwo6xZ-Cxsvh7u42sWBTLt3nzXTmz_Swe0viI/s1600/Bento+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6f-uy_JpGVYejxLTOIMQ6bYHDjdtEgdySSosO1brmbPTnQRALunp8yPadwUhPNJdQFH0JthlF9Q6r4_C1MVzR-cikoxWYLwvX-zXYIXWwo6xZ-Cxsvh7u42sWBTLt3nzXTmz_Swe0viI/s1600/Bento+Collage.jpg" /></a></div>
1. Chia Pudding, strawberries, Triscuits, Pastrami and Meunster pinwheels<br />
2. Grapes, cottage cheese, Triscuits, apples<br />
3. Pastrami, candied pecans, apples, Wheat Thins and cream cheese<br />
4. Grapefruit, cottage cheese, 5-grain chips, pastrami & meunster pinwheels<br />
5. Triscuits, apple/raisin/yogurt/honey salad, pastrami, strawberries<br />
6. Strawberries, salted cucumber slices, leftover taco.<br />
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Throughout our short cold spells, Elliott really enjoyed taking a thermos of warm food for lunch. To prep the Thermos, I pour in boiling water and screw on the cap and leave it for 5-10 minutes, usually during that time, I heat whatever food I plan on adding to the Thermos. Elliott has reported that her food is still warm enough to require blowing on when she eats it. The crazy lady within me wants to take my laser thermometer to her school and check the food temperature at lunchtime--but I can assure you, I've resisted the urge.<br />
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So far. ; )<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic847uop236fpr6x82knOlcbjFrCvHc62Vd_TXSQqI2YV_D0hgrwVr05BAFgEhVPlA6X7EEOaTi7r5wuPw5P1lNZwz3tTtjWKFk9A6ITvOhi6_Fay-ES5G0z_JAMH2B2puNL_N68BFuyT2/s1600/Thermos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic847uop236fpr6x82knOlcbjFrCvHc62Vd_TXSQqI2YV_D0hgrwVr05BAFgEhVPlA6X7EEOaTi7r5wuPw5P1lNZwz3tTtjWKFk9A6ITvOhi6_Fay-ES5G0z_JAMH2B2puNL_N68BFuyT2/s1600/Thermos.jpg" /></a></div>
1. Leftover lasagna (cut into bite-sized pieces), cucumbers, apple<br />
2. Leftover pot roast over rice, grapes, strawberries<br />
3. Leftover chili, crackers, strawberry yogurt, strawberries.<br />
4. Fried rice, apple.<br />
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</iframe>Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-29251917640252153332014-12-15T14:58:00.001-05:002014-12-15T15:02:36.397-05:00QVC Christmas Wreath ChallengeMerry Christmas! I hope you have been enjoying the season. I know I've been pretty quiet on the blog front, but that's only because life behind the scenes has been moving at the speed of light, and when it's not, I seize those opportunities to slooow down and savor the moment. I hope that in the midst of the busy holiday season, you're able to do the same.<br />
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<a href="http://qvc.co/TAC_YHJ" target="_blank">QVC's You're Home With Jill</a> provided <a href="http://qvc.co/TAC_H204027" target="_blank">an awesome 24" pre-lit wreath</a> for me to try out and decorate and it was pretty exciting. At this point in the game, we're a pretty established family and have reached just about max capacity in terms of Christmas decor. In other words, I have three bins of Christmas decor and I keep myself limited to these bins, so there's not a whole lot of new holiday decor going on at my house. But when someone asks, would you like a pre-lit wreath to decorate, it's pretty hard to say no.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8xcAR754gTg0MGCbxN507KPwjRwc0RlrR14XXR8vdmp36ikpn3uKCiVKi6L568B07Xw60-67rOVAWuKI-lFd0Qrh_gyoCQc4qm2BBnQBwKieiSA89VayxvmIJCcZMF2uGG59QxRF7f80/s1600/edit5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8xcAR754gTg0MGCbxN507KPwjRwc0RlrR14XXR8vdmp36ikpn3uKCiVKi6L568B07Xw60-67rOVAWuKI-lFd0Qrh_gyoCQc4qm2BBnQBwKieiSA89VayxvmIJCcZMF2uGG59QxRF7f80/s1600/edit5.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here's what I came up with. I love love love Nutcrackers. This doesn't mean I have some grand collection--I only have two--but I just love them. Being that this nutcracker fit so perfectly into the center of the wreath, I kinda feel like it was meant to be. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXr5lr7DlB_LeFkiRzp96ntmtVxUqF0G4tZo8Zs4HaPzHFqb3NIgxAL2mZkY9hE3a60o-rfkWO89ouqcQqbGvll2WC8U5rZp7NOJtRSEbdagYALoD5XlkUz1J5OsOHOpU07HDNQF_hi3v/s1600/edit3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXr5lr7DlB_LeFkiRzp96ntmtVxUqF0G4tZo8Zs4HaPzHFqb3NIgxAL2mZkY9hE3a60o-rfkWO89ouqcQqbGvll2WC8U5rZp7NOJtRSEbdagYALoD5XlkUz1J5OsOHOpU07HDNQF_hi3v/s1600/edit3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://qvc.co/TAC_H204027" target="_blank">The wreath</a> itself is pretty plain, but boasts a really cool lighting system and endless possibilities for personalization. The power comes from 3 D batteries and there are 6 light settings. The lights can glow white, multi-color, or transition between both. Each of the settings has the option to use a timer also--6 hours on, 18 hours off. I LOVE the timer feature. The only issue is that battery pack is visible--so the wreath must be decorated to conceal it. Below, I'll share what I did, but for those of you who are uncrafty or feel crunched for time, a simple large bow (usually only a dollar or so at the Dollar Tree) would totally do the trick in hiding the unsightly but necessary electronic component. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LHV-pZ2Px9Pu6wFm2xbK7CxQ1_NrHXf89MEbFdiPyG0g_iSTLQG60uMNzMETezwo_7K0woFXSpC0XJCYyfoho5kvc6cp_QYnFebGq8dsEqGPtwlUCAObKgADvJd1BJ7OcJ2IhofbOggu/s1600/edit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LHV-pZ2Px9Pu6wFm2xbK7CxQ1_NrHXf89MEbFdiPyG0g_iSTLQG60uMNzMETezwo_7K0woFXSpC0XJCYyfoho5kvc6cp_QYnFebGq8dsEqGPtwlUCAObKgADvJd1BJ7OcJ2IhofbOggu/s1600/edit2.jpg" /></a></div>
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I chose to keep my decorations removable so I can try out a different configuration next year. To spruce up this wreath (get the pun?) I simply added a nutcracker that I already had and some awesome chartreuse poinsettias. And I totally realize that chartreuse poinsettias aren't for everyone, but I can assure you, they're TOTALLY for me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVWNCvLr8XlIL32RnAHuWkxaW93xCs5lyz0MyY0zbUa0cWgsoWcEAmeGmcMb32XVTi_ZArykb4slpa12IxAV3x67Rf7u4j8MaBn8RIYGrAAdnwdqNQb0hhjzCoZLo3ZeRj4ORP5hBaJ6_/s1600/edit4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVWNCvLr8XlIL32RnAHuWkxaW93xCs5lyz0MyY0zbUa0cWgsoWcEAmeGmcMb32XVTi_ZArykb4slpa12IxAV3x67Rf7u4j8MaBn8RIYGrAAdnwdqNQb0hhjzCoZLo3ZeRj4ORP5hBaJ6_/s1600/edit4.jpg" /></a></div>
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I used some pipe cleaners left over from crafting with Elliott to affix the nutcracker to the wreath. Then I just poked the poinsettias into <a href="http://qvc.co/TAC_H204027" target="_blank">the wreath</a>, letting the faux pine grab on and keep the poinsettias in place. So far, it's done the trick!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghyphenhyphen5Pazipms8AjhCcV94DKAoU71AbVXwjR18PzlIuI83zRfZAIk4uy_TXCvwlGLiBzlRP-HYTGqkdBJ-0swPOq1Y7Zbn43LMo9J6yYWZu1cb51ljzILot2yDbjoKlCVuIx3Y65bSc1NYM/s1600/edit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghyphenhyphen5Pazipms8AjhCcV94DKAoU71AbVXwjR18PzlIuI83zRfZAIk4uy_TXCvwlGLiBzlRP-HYTGqkdBJ-0swPOq1Y7Zbn43LMo9J6yYWZu1cb51ljzILot2yDbjoKlCVuIx3Y65bSc1NYM/s1600/edit1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Red poinsettias tend to look a bit more washed out than these vibrant green ones do. I really liked seeing the similarity in color between my wreath and the beloved succulents in my landscaping. It all works well, and folks, Christmas is Florida <i>never</i> looks traditional anyhow.</div>
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Merry Christmas--from my family to yours!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Jill Bauer, QVC’s Home-Savvy Hostess, hosts the network’s popular show, “<a href="http://qvc.co/TAC_YHJ" target="_blank">You’re Home with Jill®</a>” and provides fans with simple solutions for their busy lives through innovative products, a library of stress-free DIY projects, and crowd-pleasing recipes. Fans can connect with Jill on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram @jillbauerqvc.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Disclaimer: <span style="font-family: inherit;">I received these products at no cost; Tristin & Company has no </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">relationship with QVC that could materially affect the weight consumers place on my review. </span></span></div>
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Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-62590073659644035412014-11-24T13:47:00.000-05:002014-11-24T13:47:58.388-05:00QVC DIY Thanksgiving Centerpiece ChallengeIs anyone else getting a bit antsy for Thanksgiving? Personally, I find the years where Thanksgiving falls toward the end of the month to be pure torture. I feel like it's Thanksgiving and then BAM! --it's December. So, without wishing Thanksgiving away, I have to admit that I'm so so ready for Christmas.<br />
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When the folks from QVC asked if I'd be interested in a DIY centerpiece challenge, I naturally accepted. They provided an awesome votive holder with some flameless candles. I have to admit, I've never used a flameless candle but I may be hooked. The candles that come with the <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://qvc.co/TristinandComapny_H282737" target="_blank">Candle Impressions Fillable Glass Log</a> have a built-in timer, so they come on for 5 hours at 24 hour intervals. In other words, I set my candles at 5pm when I received them, and now, every night they magically come on every evening, from 5 pm to 10pm. </span></span><br />
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I'm always paranoid that I'll leave real candles lit and leave the house (and this has TOTALLY happened before) so I'm pretty much sold on this whole flameless candle thing. I'm not sure why I hadn't tried them sooner.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY03QjLwVIOowvjS4lCTiXlJmg8K4EBXi7tDyEx_zIhLvqlol_GbOUmZHZP2YU7JzGNTXER9zkf3Bc6tTQu8CMm2IfBu3JAHLDS_iDmwOHqWnmpQilb30w3meqs7Rj12WXvqr3j3EQd88L/s1600/qvcedit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY03QjLwVIOowvjS4lCTiXlJmg8K4EBXi7tDyEx_zIhLvqlol_GbOUmZHZP2YU7JzGNTXER9zkf3Bc6tTQu8CMm2IfBu3JAHLDS_iDmwOHqWnmpQilb30w3meqs7Rj12WXvqr3j3EQd88L/s1600/qvcedit1.jpg" /></a></div>
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In terms of decorating the clear glass log as a centerpiece, I went with hydrangeas. Hydrangeas have become my flower of choice--regardless of season. They're readily available and priced well at my grocery store, they last a long time and they look fabulous in my vase of choice--which is a Mason jar. All I did to create a simple Thanksgiving centerpiece is shove some hydrangea pieces into the clear glass tube. Voila--instant class! I'm not hosting Thanksgiving dinner, but if I was, there'd be mason jars of white hydrangeas, a kraft paper table runner, and plain white candles set about in a rustic fashion. This centerpiece would be perfect.<br />
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The cool thing is that the<a href="http://qvc.co/TristinandComapny_H282737" target="_blank"> glass log</a> is customizable for any holiday or and style. I personally like it plain, but I played around with a few other options, too. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_zEN6dvkSjN1iqt4dFfp7boBVT5JJcMmBtf_Bo7pFrjOhT6Vjgmfxme1syP9XBnLxS2OxmeutsA6pXkopIbbh0LX035RSSLaU9Rv0w-gE6X5D1bb0jxrC52fPCE0EMSiK_E6K_dmla6Y/s1600/qvcedit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_zEN6dvkSjN1iqt4dFfp7boBVT5JJcMmBtf_Bo7pFrjOhT6Vjgmfxme1syP9XBnLxS2OxmeutsA6pXkopIbbh0LX035RSSLaU9Rv0w-gE6X5D1bb0jxrC52fPCE0EMSiK_E6K_dmla6Y/s1600/qvcedit2.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://qvc.co/TristinandCompany_YHJ" target="_blank">QVC’s Jill Bauer</a> hosts the network’s popular show, You’re Home with Jill® and provides fans with simple solutions for their busy lives through innovative products, a library of stress-free DIY projects, and crowd-pleasing recipes. Fans can connect with Jill on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram @jillbauerqvc.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Disclaimer: <span style="font-family: inherit;">I received these products at no cost; Tristin & Company has no </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">relationship with QVC that could materially affect the weight consumers place on my review. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-73225825679369952582014-09-19T13:05:00.001-04:002014-09-19T13:06:54.465-04:00I can do this.I really do believe that there's so much about parenthood that's not understood until you're in the trenches. A dog is a fabulous trainer for parenting. I know for me, it was an experience to learn to put the need of a little precious and innocent canine above my own. Bonding came from the tough things--like potty-training that seemed unending and nighttime walks at 3:30am for the first few months of puppyhood--because it was what <i>he </i>needed, and those needs of his became more important than my need for sleep.<br />
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And then enter kids. Whoa Nellie. What a way to rock a world and change you to the core. I am truly a changed woman and glaring evidence presented itself today in the form of a call from Elliott's school.<br />
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I received a call informing me that Elliott had fallen backward off of a swing, bumping the back of her head. Now at first, I thought, you know, it's nice to be informed but I opted to just assume that things were fine and leave Elliott at school because, well, if she learns that her Mom will come whenever an injury occurs, I have a feeling a habit will very quickly follow. Something along the lines of a little boy who cried wolf. <br />
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But when I hung up the phone, the tears and self-doubt got the better of me. I texted my husband, looking for a reassuring "you know she's fine", but he was in the midst of a meeting so the affirmation didn't come immediately. So I sobbed a bit, feeling stuck in the thick of some grand parenting dilemma. First, she needs to learn that not every injury is a big deal and needs to be able to find comfort independently and learn to count on the others who are around her for support. And she has a wonderful support group where she is--and learning to depend on them will serve her well in her confidence of being away from me. On the other hand, what if something truly is wrong and she has a concussion and I just blew it off and I'm a terrible mother?<br />
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Needless to say, I was quite worked up. I saw myself in the mirror, and said out loud, "You're not even the one who got hurt!" And consequently, I thought, all of this ridiculousness needs to be shared. And it needs a good illustration. So I took a quick photo of my red-faced puffy-eyed exhausted self. This, my friends, is why I don't even bother wearing make-up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1ZtfCSErpdw1Epd42q7sAaJBFffy-BGx0heUa2qqiQCaHGAZxF1wxV7E10PVkzj6Ld0z7jQYpOJ0F6ziEnFlHZPY1gOyVMQc4xbH-7zP2FugviltKRWyvlDDEo-oyO_9eHO7SLQilRju/s1600/puffyface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1ZtfCSErpdw1Epd42q7sAaJBFffy-BGx0heUa2qqiQCaHGAZxF1wxV7E10PVkzj6Ld0z7jQYpOJ0F6ziEnFlHZPY1gOyVMQc4xbH-7zP2FugviltKRWyvlDDEo-oyO_9eHO7SLQilRju/s1600/puffyface.jpg" /></a></div>
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Now, I'm not a Mom who jumps up immediately when one of my kiddos gets hurt--it's not that I don't want to--I've just learned along the way that my reaction has a lot of bearing on their own reaction. That's no grand secret to parents. So, maybe I might even seem unsympathetic at times, which may be true. <br />
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But this time, I realized that the dilemma I faced had more to do with confidence as a parent. Or, rather, lack of confidence. I move fearlessly forward on the outside, but inside I'm quivering and letting self-doubt reign. So many times when I make a choice, set a standard, make a demand or have to punish, the little voices eat at me telling me I'm "doing it wrong". Sometimes the voices say I'm not tough enough--sometimes they tell me I'm too tough. So much of modern wisdom tells us that we're psychologically damaging our children at every turn. There are lists on Pinterest of things you should never say to your child, lists of the "proper" way to praise, and doggonit even though Freud is highly criticized, I still think about how every problem later in life can be traced back to the mother.<br />
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Parenthood is riddled with crippling doubt and insecurity. And that's something I <i>never expected</i>. I also never expected the swelling love-you-so-much-it-hurts feelings. And when you mix all that together, it's...exhausting. <br />
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In the end, everything I do is for the betterment of my children. Every rule I set, choice I make, stand I take--it's to get them where they need to be as productive and independent human beings. So, today I share and write. Jumping up and getting Elliott and bringing her home wasn't the answer today--all signs pointed to the fact that she'd be perfectly fine. Letting her "be" and letting out a sigh of relief and sharing my joys and frustrations as a mother seemed to be the route to go. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX7QakGpuxiMOg0tdX9EtsnZAqkr5h3YHBsdBm8YLsUVjptZkK794JF_oS0g-RF_ss3t2LigjUNwy55faGoh3e8Px1aUwHw7cH-j3LdrVnvx5IqzMqTUZgE2B6pQUVPrvvAIAY21wzVIY/s1600/puffyface2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX7QakGpuxiMOg0tdX9EtsnZAqkr5h3YHBsdBm8YLsUVjptZkK794JF_oS0g-RF_ss3t2LigjUNwy55faGoh3e8Px1aUwHw7cH-j3LdrVnvx5IqzMqTUZgE2B6pQUVPrvvAIAY21wzVIY/s1600/puffyface2.jpg" /></a></div>
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I can do this. Phillipians 4:13.Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-54878268725051574582014-09-08T06:00:00.000-04:002015-04-02T16:24:43.583-04:00Keeping Lunch SafeI'm starting this post with Cliffs Notes in case you can't stand paragraph after paragraph of my lunchbox ramblings and such:<br />
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-<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I4WUAOM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00I4WUAOM&linkCode=as2&tag=tricom02-20&linkId=RAZEJIPZQGO2GSY3" target="_blank">Igloo Mini Tote 8</a> Fits a Goodbyn Bento perfectly while keeping it horizontal<br />
-There's plenty of room for water bottle and snack, too.<br />
-It also keeps the food very cool and safe (see the last photo)<br />
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But if you're interested in lunch box ramblings, then hey, thanks for sticking it out with me.<br />
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I'll admit, I looked like a fool in Target when back-to-school time came. In search of the perfect lunch solution, I headed over to the lunch box section and made myself comfy, trying to fit different bento styles into different lunch boxes. It's a far cry from the days of my childhood where we all carried the same hard-sided Aladdin-brand lunch boxes with matching thermoses with our favorite TV characters on them--or brown paper bags. You know what I'm talking about, right? There are just so many choices and the reviews found on the internet only further throw me into obsessiveness in making "just the right choice". It comes in part from just wanting to have the perfect solution and also, I really want to buy something that works and not have to buy anything again for a long time.<br />
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All that leads me to say that for the Goodbyn Bento, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I4WUAOM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00I4WUAOM&linkCode=as2&tag=tricom02-20&linkId=RAZEJIPZQGO2GSY3" target="_blank">Igloo mini tote 8</a> is a great choice of lunchbox. Now, initially I chose the Igloo Leftover Tote 9, which is great, but as it would turn out it's rather large and cumbersome for an undersized five-year-old like mine. I can't tell you how many times we heard "That lunch box is bigger than she is,"--and it was a totally correct statement. When I ordered the Igloo Leftover Tote 9, I received the wrong item and what was sent was the Igloo Mini Tote 8. The Amazon seller told me to keep the incorrect item and they'd send the correct one, so I ended up with two lunch boxes--but let me say--their mistake was a huge benefit to me because it helped me get the better lunch box, I just didn't know it yet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrvvNS2BDnb-zlzReP2dyUuNF16CoNZi5924daBGtCpJ-Y-9sHKCIg_QM_vcy9Ce7Ur-MRfmzg_xgtDgZUPTnZ_VrnMkVHlM2V2h07Z9TipG7ExXc_fRDtOKTICKPcxjhpDpzwWgKKNf7/s1600/igloogoodbyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrvvNS2BDnb-zlzReP2dyUuNF16CoNZi5924daBGtCpJ-Y-9sHKCIg_QM_vcy9Ce7Ur-MRfmzg_xgtDgZUPTnZ_VrnMkVHlM2V2h07Z9TipG7ExXc_fRDtOKTICKPcxjhpDpzwWgKKNf7/s1600/igloogoodbyn.jpg" /></a></div>
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The Goodbyn Bento nestles perfectly down into the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I4WUAOM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00I4WUAOM&linkCode=as2&tag=tricom02-20&linkId=RAZEJIPZQGO2GSY3" target="_blank">Igloo Mini Tote 8</a>. I place two ice packs on the bottom before I add the Bento, and then I'm able to keep the Bento horizontal which was a requirement for me. There are SO many lunchbox options if you're not concerned about your Bento going vertical, but I wanted to be able to place silicone muffin liners of multiple items into one of the compartments, so going vertical didn't seem like a great idea in our case.<br />
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The Bento fits snugly into the mini tote but can still be easily removed by small children with unrefined motor skills. There is additional room in the top to hold a snack (including the Goodbyn snack containers) and a good-sized water bottle. (We switch between a Nalgene kids bottle and a Camelback Kid's Eddy.)<br />
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Here's the best part of the lunch box solution. Call us nerds, but we love our digital surface thermometer. My husband bought it to measure results of some home improvement projects (insulation and the like) and it turns out, we use it a lot. I even use it in place of a candy thermometer. I digress (obviously, since this ENTIRE post is about something as lame as lunchboxes!) but this tool helped me to know that our solution is keeping Elliott's food safe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j4dQJe3nNzByKBK_ykzgS5v4AFtge0mHL0TDzoUgm2sQesA-6W6WMkUdkd4tYNeqwNtZN39xxqsNX3kATd6nG8xJsjF1NL_QJznptWf_JNbmPrZmjMFu4KJ_IIZOOuludyLFePIhawT2/s1600/watermelontemp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j4dQJe3nNzByKBK_ykzgS5v4AFtge0mHL0TDzoUgm2sQesA-6W6WMkUdkd4tYNeqwNtZN39xxqsNX3kATd6nG8xJsjF1NL_QJznptWf_JNbmPrZmjMFu4KJ_IIZOOuludyLFePIhawT2/s1600/watermelontemp.jpg" /></a></div>
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The pic on the left shows a bowl of watermelon straight from the fridge at 7:30am. To the right, this is the measurement of Elliott's leftover watermelon after school. Mind you, the lunchbox has been removed for a period of time, midday, so that she can eat her lunch--and even still, the temp increase at the end of the day is only 8 degrees. Food safety experts tell us that the "Danger Zone" for food falls between 40-140, so all-in-all I feel like an 8 degree increase over the course of 8 hours is pretty impressive. </div>
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I had to do this checking, you see, because I <i>hate hate hate</i> food waste and if Elliott hasn't finished her lunch, then her lunch leftovers are her afternoon snack when she gets home. (Some things, even at a decent temp, I don't do this with, however--like leftover egg salad for instance--but in the case of this watermelon and many other leftovers, I feel perfectly fine encouraging her to just eat her leftovers as a snack when she gets home.) Call me crazy, but do you know how much food Americans throw out every year? I try to keep our grocery budget minimal and a large way that this is successful is by not wasting food. Keeping our lunches within a safe temperature range helps a lot, in our case. </div>
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In this case, I'd like to think my obsessiveness in finding the right solution has paid off in a number of ways.</div>
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</iframe>Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-90555377346394321692014-09-06T07:13:00.000-04:002014-09-06T07:16:25.404-04:00Week #4 Bentos<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaYOmMP-vTVS4T7XozAyTKKrld0CHt7JeQPvoXx0RvnnRxQOpafwIGUaTKoPISQEHG8qqnLGYQhegbzM0GWnIx-WTiw6lQfsJ7ZIpURkFAzZQYWpVx94DpyXAZ1a3qR-FzeU_hfjWGJ8v/s1600/Week4bentos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaYOmMP-vTVS4T7XozAyTKKrld0CHt7JeQPvoXx0RvnnRxQOpafwIGUaTKoPISQEHG8qqnLGYQhegbzM0GWnIx-WTiw6lQfsJ7ZIpURkFAzZQYWpVx94DpyXAZ1a3qR-FzeU_hfjWGJ8v/s1600/Week4bentos.jpg" /></a><br />
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Day 1: Craisins, corn dog muffins, sweet potato, yogurt, watermelon.<br />
Day 2: Tortilla chips and bean dip, leftover broccoli/bacon/cheese frittata, watermelon.<br />
Day 3: Apple slices, boiled peanuts, pastrami/meunster sandwich, chia pudding.<br />
Day 4: PB&J Spirals, apple slices, full-fat large-curd cottage cheese (the <i>only</i> way to eat it!) and a banana.<br />
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It's official--I feel totally settled into school. I'm not saying that things are running smoothly--it just feels like we're finding a rhythm. Every morning, I play drill sergeant; I start off really nice but at a certain point I'm barking orders and (gasp) sometimes shouting. "Put your shoes on!" I promise, I sound<i> really</i> nice the<i> first 6 times</i> I say it, but by the time the 7th rolls around, I lose my cool. <br />
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I've made a "getting ready" chart to help Elliott navigate her morning tasks (it literally consists of using the restroom, brushing teeth, getting dressed, putting shoes on, doing hair and getting backpack prepared and by the door) but somehow we still end up pushing to make it to school on time. A good talk with a pal of mine helped me realize that I'm not the only one, but seriously--any tips on helping a lolly-gagging 5-year old get ready in a reasonable amount of time? <br />
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I guess if this is the most I have to complain about, then life is good. And most likely, it's a battle we're going to have throughout her childhood so I may as well learn to love it. Elliott's just so funny--there are times in which I see SO many similarities between she and my older brother, it's just not even funny. I find myself saying it more and more, and I love the constant reminders of him.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tricom02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0050O92G4&asins=B0050O92G4&linkId=WNXMV6BYZVUBRDA7&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; text-align: center; width: 120px;"></iframe><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tricom02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0036B9KHO&asins=B0036B9KHO&linkId=KPZGFKBV5A63NTZT&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; text-align: center; width: 120px;"></iframe><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tricom02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00HG95V52&asins=B00HG95V52&linkId=FSJGISOQJ7M5CAUY&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; text-align: center; width: 120px;"></iframe><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tricom02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00881W4IE&asins=B00881W4IE&linkId=PCNMXQF5ULYK6BEW&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; text-align: center; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
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<br />Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-70032937899918313232014-08-29T12:04:00.000-04:002014-08-29T12:04:49.481-04:00Week #3 Bentos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMa6r_tjFz6FWv39m1VckoZmv8KxuSmNJ58n8W7NglEk0UM0E4RpGenoj4WsPLm-9h-Vv88qif_e1zQAYQ3-4QDbmr_rFZnF4lfVBY1BWdrABgEd0lSIMYzF6lJ7_YtDEPxaG340lye0Ky/s1600/lunchweek3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMa6r_tjFz6FWv39m1VckoZmv8KxuSmNJ58n8W7NglEk0UM0E4RpGenoj4WsPLm-9h-Vv88qif_e1zQAYQ3-4QDbmr_rFZnF4lfVBY1BWdrABgEd0lSIMYzF6lJ7_YtDEPxaG340lye0Ky/s1600/lunchweek3.jpg" /></a></div>
Day 1: Multi-grain Chips (the Aldi equivalent to SunChips), Blueberry Applesauce, Nyakers Pepparkakor Cookies, cheese stick, corn dog muffins, watermelon chunks.<br />
Day 2: Multi-grain Chips, Leftover grilled chicken skewers with cucumber, cheese, 1/2 apple, celery and peanut butter.<br />
Day 3: Blueberry applesauce, Multi-grain Chips, cheese & ham rolls, 1/2 banana, PB&J rolls using this method.<br />
Day 4: Peanut butter on celery, grapes, sea-shaped pasta, cheese stick.<br />
Day 5: She got to order pizza, and took some edamame and honeydew in our Goodbyn Snacks Box.<br />
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Taking pics of snacks seemed like overkill again, especially because most of the snacks this week were the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036B9KHO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0036B9KHO&linkCode=as2&tag=tricom02-20&linkId=VXEST5ULA26DYD5Z%22%3ENorpro%20431%204-Piece%20Silicone%20Ice%20Pop%20Maker%20Set%20-%20Assorted%20Colors%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tricom02-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0036B9KHO%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Norpro Silicone Ice Pop</a>s filled with yogurt. I always keep plain organic whole milk yogurt in the fridge so I can do with it as I wish--everything from adding it to smoothies to making tzatziki to granola parfaits. The kids love it when I mix some plain yogurt with our homemade strawberry jam and freeze it in the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036B9KHO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0036B9KHO&linkCode=as2&tag=tricom02-20&linkId=VXEST5ULA26DYD5Z%22%3ENorpro%20431%204-Piece%20Silicone%20Ice%20Pop%20Maker%20Set%20-%20Assorted%20Colors%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=tricom02-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0036B9KHO%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">silicone pop molds</a>--and Elliott loves taking these as a snack to school. It's like a homemade Go-Gurt. Or sometimes, if we have leftover bits of smoothie, I add them into the molds and it becomes a snack for another day.<br />
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What are your kids current favorite portable snacks? <br />
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</span><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tricom02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00HG95V52&asins=B00HG95V52&linkId=FSJGISOQJ7M5CAUY&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; text-align: center; width: 120px;"></iframe><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=tricom02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00881W4IE&asins=B00881W4IE&linkId=PCNMXQF5ULYK6BEW&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>
Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-47483537457803442942014-08-27T13:30:00.001-04:002014-08-27T13:30:35.371-04:0029.Yesterday, I celebrated 29 trips around the sun. I'm super-stoked to be on my 30th. I had some grand plan to share 29 somethings...29 pieces of advice for my daughters, 29 things I love, 29 things about me... And it just never happened, probably because I have about 29 distractions per hour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRGTQ8lIboss8LOXWS4PlVN5LA9SBYobPHWWcHPmhOAHPAX8nY7ggmHMB5FureWzFqsrAoq4LauMsWQsUzkpJWFlXTPIQKFpiXoZJvVeg9VDup2lC4-7ZOYojvi6fwxHnl1_x4a_GRvhP/s1600/IMG_1117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRGTQ8lIboss8LOXWS4PlVN5LA9SBYobPHWWcHPmhOAHPAX8nY7ggmHMB5FureWzFqsrAoq4LauMsWQsUzkpJWFlXTPIQKFpiXoZJvVeg9VDup2lC4-7ZOYojvi6fwxHnl1_x4a_GRvhP/s1600/IMG_1117.jpg" /></a></div>
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I also can't get over the irony of being 29 pounds heavier than I was a few short years ago. Eeek. Perhaps it's not so much a problem as it is a challenge. A challenge that I'm up for--right after my coconut birthday cake is gone.<br />
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So. I found myself celebrating with my parents, husband and kiddos last night and in the midst of the fun, Bennett, with serious face, says "You're going to die".<br />
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An uncomfortable silence fell over the table as we all looked around--did she really just say that?<br />
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I think she picked up on our discomfort because she started getting very emotional--and her face turned very serious. Her lip quivered and she bawled as she followed her previous comment up with this:<br />
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"We're all gonna die".<br />
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Now I feel like I have to tell you that this child, who turned two last month, watches PBS Kids and a handful of Netflix shows, hand-picked by yours truly. She's aware of the scene in Frozen where the parents are on the boat and die, but beyond this, has no knowledge of sayings like "You're going to die" or "We're all gonna die". <br />
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If you'd been there, you would've been a bit freaked out, too.<br />
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But we all ate cake anyhow, and big sis consoled little sis after her ominous outbursts. There may have been more talk of death, and it may have been something like this, through the sobs, "But we're all gonna die tomorrow, sissuh [sister]." <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7ElWdQFsqVeeB99KZ4gpdT94GLpidTkPgwDpbcERScJCcEdAxyQWDtKS46_7JSAmn7gxXdAjTF-EHIAygeulzy8QzfYfFwD3mkl77W3Ldisex4k7VfU25Dr_A4DbDP8iKtH18luehZOs/s1600/IMG_1136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7ElWdQFsqVeeB99KZ4gpdT94GLpidTkPgwDpbcERScJCcEdAxyQWDtKS46_7JSAmn7gxXdAjTF-EHIAygeulzy8QzfYfFwD3mkl77W3Ldisex4k7VfU25Dr_A4DbDP8iKtH18luehZOs/s1600/IMG_1136.jpg" /></a></div>
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And a particular passage Ecclesiastes came to mind, and I thought I'd share with you a bit of what is my favorite book of the Bible.<br />
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<b>Ecclesiastes 7: 1-4</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="chapter-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="text Eccl-7-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">A good name is better than fine perfume,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17431A" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17431A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-7-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and the day of death better than the day of birth.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17431B" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17431B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="text Eccl-7-2" id="en-NIV-17432" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>It is better to go to a house of mourning</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-7-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">than to go to a house of feasting,</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="text Eccl-7-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">for death<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17432C" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17432C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span> is the destiny<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17432D" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17432D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span> of everyone;</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-7-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the living should take this to heart.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="text Eccl-7-3" id="en-NIV-17433" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>Frustration is better than laughter,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-17433E" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-17433E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-7-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">because a sad face is good for the heart.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="text Eccl-7-4" id="en-NIV-17434" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eccl-7-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="text Eccl-7-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the midst of our </span>celebration<span style="font-family: inherit;"> of life, we were abruptly reminded that there's more in store for us--so much more than we could ever imagine. The best days of our lives--days like these--can't even compare.</span><br />
<br />Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-26363705530042728002014-08-22T13:07:00.000-04:002014-08-22T13:08:58.007-04:00Week #2 BentosWeek two, and I'm <i>still</i> enjoying packing Bento lunches. Nice. This week <a href="http://www.tristinandcompany.com/2014/08/i-give-them-gold-they-give-me-grief.html" target="_blank">I shared some dinnertime woes</a>, but thankfully, Elliott hasn't complained about her Bento lunches. I'm sure I'll rant the day that happens. ; ) Consider yourself warned.<br />
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Day 1: Ham and meunster rolls, green olives, chips and salsa, grapes.<br />
Day 2: Goldfish, plum, egg noodles with cottage cheese, hard-boiled egg, cocoa almonds<br />
Day 3: Yogurt raisins, blueberry applesauce, pasta salad (with grilled chicken, feta, tomatoes and olives), celery with peanut butter<br />
Day 4: Cocoa almonds, honeydew, ham and meunster sandwich, carrots and ranch<br />
Day 5: The school orders Domino's pizza and kids can buy by the slice. Last week, Elliott let me know in no uncertain terms that "everyone except for me" got to have pizza. So I sent some money and a snack container of fruit and veggies to round out her lunch. Hopefully that scores some points for me.<br />
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We kept snacks simple so I didn't bother to document. Each day, I sent either a <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/09/chewy-no-bake-granola-bars.html" target="_blank">granola bar</a> or yogurt for snack. I figured that her snack should be quite light so she'll eat more of her lunch--so far this is working.</div>
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It's so funny, because some friends and I were talking last night about how we didn't get snacks as kids--and now it's some sort of obligation. Snacks, snacks, snacks. Two of the friends who shared in the conversation are a couple from the Caribbean (the husband from Antigua, the wife from Grenada) and they went on to share not only their lack of snacks as children, but also the unique upbringing of Islanders. And I've thought about it all day long... our kids are so <i>soft</i>! Perhaps to their benefit and not to their detriment. I guess we'll see as time goes by.</div>
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Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-35046278454408965282014-08-19T13:09:00.000-04:002014-08-19T13:09:03.437-04:00I give them gold; they give me grief.Every now and then, I'm plagued with delusions of adequacy. And yes, I mean it just as I said it. It's a phrase my husband coined (at least I think he did--or did it come from The Office?) and it comes to mind often. <br />
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I was feeling rather adequate last night when I made a mean veggie stir-fry over steamed brown rice and homemade (yes, homemade) <a href="http://damndelicious.net/2014/03/01/potstickers/#comment-67791&_a5y_p=1560589" target="_blank">potstickers</a>. On a weeknight. <br />
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Honestly, it's not entirely out of the ordinary that I put this much effort into dinner. I cook pretty much every meal every day, but I'm going to admit that I often get discouraged when my efforts are thwarted at every turn. Mostly by the two rugrats that I brought into this world.<br />
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As soon as the red bell peppers bit the wok and the aroma filled the air, Elliott was inspired to remind me that, she in fact, does not like bell peppers. "Well, I forgot to buy mushrooms," I told her, subliminally letting her know that this <i>could have been worse--<b>much worse</b></i>. Within minutes of remembering that the kids would not be pacifists and just eat their dang dinner without complaint and that I might be in for it, James called letting me know that he'd be home late and that we should eat without him. Well, at least he called, I told myself.<br />
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The girls and I sat down for a daddy-less dinner and immediately Bennett started putting plum pieces into her water cup. And then pouring her water out. (She does this so fast and under the radar, I swear.) Ultimately my kids are good eaters, so dinner was choked-down. Bennett picked around the stir fry and ate only the carrots and broccoli, and Elliott told me at one point she didn't like vegetables and was going to throw up. For the record, she still ate her entire meal, including a strip of red bell pepper, and I made sure to thank her for doing so.<br />
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But Moms, do you ever wish that people would just shut up, sit down, and sing your praises? Is it too much to ask? With as much as we do, it's often only the things we don't do or things that the family dislikes that are mentioned. Know what I mean? Sure you do. Am I discouraged? Well, today, maybe a bit. But don't worry, just like you I'll keep trudging through and doing what's right, despite their complaints and ingratitude.<br />
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Never fear, tomorrow's a new day. And maybe I'll just give up and thrill the kids with the culinary masterpiece that is PB&J. Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-68814179978598484562014-08-17T16:34:00.000-04:002014-08-17T16:34:24.466-04:00QVC Back-to-School Mason Jar ChallengeI'm sure you can tell because of the <a href="http://www.tristinandcompany.com/search/label/bento" target="_blank">Bento box posts</a> that we're back to school full-swing over here in lovely Melbourne. Florida schools tend to start early, especially when I consider that school usually started after Labor Day when I went to school in California. But whether August or September, the start of school and getting back into good routines can be hard. I'm finding it hard to believe that I have a child in kindergarten. Kindergarten! Goodness. <br />
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The folks at QVC invited me to a Back-to-School Mason Jar Challenge and with such <a href="http://qvc.co/twogirls_K39471" target="_blank">fun mason jars</a> they provided, I just couldn't resist. Umm, who doesn't love mason jars?<br />
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The <a href="http://qvc.co/twogirls_K39471" target="_blank">set of four mason</a> jars looks so good together that it seems wrong to separate them, but alas, this is my plan. I thought it'd be the perfect way to thank our teachers and staff for a great first week of school! Back-to-school is a busy time, but especially for the men and women who are not only sending their kids back to school but getting back into the swing of work themselves (aka the teachers and staff). It's nice to throw some love their way, right?<br />
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Smoothies prove to be a breakfast lifesaver in my home. They're quick, healthy, and loved by all. Win, win, win. So, I made up some recipe cards of our favorite smoothies and tags to include with the <a href="http://qvc.co/twogirls_K39471" target="_blank">Aladdin Insulated jar tumblers</a>. You're welcome to copy and print them yourself, if you're so inclined, or make up some of your own. (The images are formatted to print as a 4x6.) I used black and white to create a blackboard effect--it had nothing to do with the fact that I only have a black and white printer. Yeah. It's like I always say, when life gives you a black and white printer, just make it work in whatever cute way you can. {I've never said that before. Ever.}<br />
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<i>(Excuse my typo on the green smoothie recipe card--I do know the correct spelling of ingredients! But it will also take me a few days to get the motivation to recreate the printable from scratch which is what I'd have to to based on the way I created it. No one's perfect, right?)</i></div>
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Am I cheesy for choosing "Don't Sweat" for the tags? Maybe a little. But insulated tumblers don't sweat, and here in humid Florida, it's a treat to enjoy a cold beverage without a water ring on your desk. The tags can be cut out with scissors, or if printed as a 4x6, a 2" circle cutter will cut them perfectly. I know this because I tried. And then my circle cutter fell apart and I was stuck using scissors. Oh, the woes of a crafter.</div>
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I affixed the tags with hemp cord because I just love it so much. And it looks like it's time for a new ball of hemp. <br />
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The smoothie recipe cards nestled down nicely inside the tumblers and made it look like a really attractive gift.<br />
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I'll tell you what, I don't know what I was thinking in turning these into gifts. I want to keep one. And maybe I will. You'll never tell, will you?<br />
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Thanks to Jill for inviting me to the Back-to-School Mason Jar Challenge. <span style="font-family: inherit;">QVC’s Jill Bauer hosts the network’s popular show, </span><a href="http://qvc.co/twogirls_yhj" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><i>You’re Home with Jill</i>®</a><i style="font-family: inherit;"> </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">and provides fans with simple solutions for their busy lives through innovative products, a library of stress-free DIY projects, and crowd-pleasing recipes. Fans can connect with Jill on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JillBauerQVC" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><a href="https://twitter.com/jillbauerqvc" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">,</span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/qvc/you-re-home-with-jill/" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"> Pinterest</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, and </span><a href="http://instagram.com/jillbauerqvc" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> @jillbauerqvc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can tune in to </span><a href="http://qvc.co/twogirls_yhj" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><i>You’re Home with Jill</i>®</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> beginning </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1721418546" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: inherit; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday, August 20</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and every Wednesday at 7pm (ET), through October.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">All my best,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tristin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Disclaimer: <span style="font-family: inherit;">I received these products at no cost<span style="background-color: white;">; Tristin & Company has no </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">relationship with QVC that could materially affect the weight consumers place on my review. </span></span></div>
Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-4361256687747771022014-08-15T09:59:00.000-04:002014-08-15T09:59:41.611-04:00Week #1 Bentos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We made it through the first week of school! It was easier than I imagined, thanks to a great staff and a little girl who never ceases to amaze me. And call me a nerd, but I totally loved packing lunches this week. Here goes:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYSXVHuLuJpylTkO42-7ik95yEa0XxhNiCaS-2qOC5DP08ZFE559RJaKwEb2FiBsWee2Tmv_ob1T36r_Rpw2UF0Rs6meiRUVTuggsgD77awocqZQUBZl7pn87slgC_bRM5bdLMG-3c19_/s1600/lunchweek1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYSXVHuLuJpylTkO42-7ik95yEa0XxhNiCaS-2qOC5DP08ZFE559RJaKwEb2FiBsWee2Tmv_ob1T36r_Rpw2UF0Rs6meiRUVTuggsgD77awocqZQUBZl7pn87slgC_bRM5bdLMG-3c19_/s1600/lunchweek1.jpg" /></a></div>
Day 1: DIY Lunchables. Cheddar, ham slices, crackers, oranges, edamame, watermelon, and a cookie as a treat. <br />
Day 2: Ham and cheese sandwich, oranges, cheese stick, and a cookie.<br />
Day 3: Egg salad and baked tortilla strips, blueberry applesauce, grapes, and cocoa almonds.<br />
Day 4: Corndog mini muffins, cheese stick, cucumbers and ranch dip, grapes, yogurt raisins.<br />
Day 5: Heart-shaped PB&Js, strawberry yogurt tube, cukes and dip, cocoa almonds.<br />
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Worth mentioning: I found a 12 oz. bag of cocoa almonds at Aldi for $4.99 and they're far more wholesome than the Blue Diamond cocoa almonds that most grocery stores sell. The Blue diamond brand contains a long ingredient list including sucralose (brand name is Splenda) which I steer clear of, while the Aldi brand has cocoa and sugar and oil added to the almonds. Better price and better ingredients? Thanks Aldi. I'm impressed.<br />
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I add a small treat to each lunch as incentive to eat--and she thinks this is awesome as I really don't incentivize good and timely eating at home--it's just an expectation. Some days she hasn't finished her lunch entirely as I'm still feeling out how much I need to pack and she's learning to eat within the time allotted at school. Our deal is that if she hasn't finished her entire lunch, it's perfectly okay, but she can wait until she gets home from school to have the treat. So far, so good. But we'll adapt as necessary.<br />
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I'm loving the Goodbyn snack containers. Seriously--they're perfect for a kids' snack.<br />
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Snack 1: Strawberries and homemade <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/09/chewy-no-bake-granola-bars.html" target="_blank">chewy granola bars</a><br />
Snack 2: Whole grain goldfish and watermelon<br />
Snack 3: Watermelon and <a href="http://veryculinary.com/2014/05/10/chia-seed-pudding/" target="_blank">chia pudding</a> (I repeated this snack one of the days)<br />
Snack 4: Cracker sandwiches with nutella and yogurt raisins<br />
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Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758069416688834120.post-39857027543749822014-08-13T08:00:00.000-04:002014-08-13T08:00:00.688-04:00Mood Pillow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I often wish I had access to the yarn store 24 hours a day. Sometimes, inspiration strikes and yarn is needed immediately, but unfortunately, my life doesn't allow for instant yarn gratification. In fact, even when I have time set aside for such adventures, it's far from the hours of meandering that I long for. Usually I know I have 10 minutes before the kids lose their cool and every single trip I have to scold them for unraveling the yarn in the cart. Ah, the joys of motherhood. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9zy5QwCcx2dQdAyrsqNZOho84WyXAFt7tNJr60B3qRy-Y2fbov3nIshV3zdUGLijWFvgd0Ty7z1VM1_bEObADkOeAeEktAhBMrJ4yblvXVClmMHr2poOjDRIhuds9tuh8ttdCkK1qchH/s1600/moodpillow4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9zy5QwCcx2dQdAyrsqNZOho84WyXAFt7tNJr60B3qRy-Y2fbov3nIshV3zdUGLijWFvgd0Ty7z1VM1_bEObADkOeAeEktAhBMrJ4yblvXVClmMHr2poOjDRIhuds9tuh8ttdCkK1qchH/s1600/moodpillow4.jpg" /></a></div>
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But sometimes, I pick myself up by my bootstraps and realize that my own home is practically a small version of a yarn shop and I'm able to move forward with projects as they come to me. Recently, I noticed small amounts of several shades of gray (all Lion Brand Vanna's Choice) in one of my yarn hoarding baskets. Ombre starting with black and fading to white seemed to be the obvious choice so off I started crocheting a simple square, not knowing exactly where it might lead me. It came out dark and moody, and I realized how it matched my own mood on that particular day. But I wasn't exactly thrilled about my mood and imagined a sunnier, happier contrast. So I made one. It was a rainbow square. (All but one of the colors is Lion Brand Vanna's Choice.)</div>
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Turns out, those bad boys were destined to become something grand--a mood pillow. One side is stormy and ominous; the other is cheerful, bright, and practically perfect in every way.</div>
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My little man is never too far out of reach. He likes to keep an eye on his weirdo mom who, while clothed in a pool towel, drags dining room chairs out to the backyard and starts snapping photos. It must be a confusing scene for such a logical pup. Not to mention, he says that both sides look identical to him. Is it really true that dogs are colorblind? For his sake, I hope not.<br />
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<br />Tristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09430947825753022142noreply@blogger.com17