The Miserable Family

Though we all excited to celebrate our first family day on Monday, we woke up discovering that Katelyn had a high fever. Plans were cancelled so we could stay at home and care for her. It was pretty scary for me and the hubby since during the 10 months she never was really sick. And our poor little one was miserable.

She is a funny girl, since even though she had a high fever she was still in good spirits. Family ended up coming over bearing lunch and dinner so we didn't have to leave the house. And it was nice to have some extra hands to help out since hubby was still recovering from his flu from the week before.  She would come down between naps and entertain everyone and have a bite to eat. But she tired easily and it was straight to bed for her.

Past couple of nights, she had a couple of fits. And you could tell that she just wasn't feeling well. This morning when hubby was saying bye before leaving to go to work, he called me and the baby..."Mrs. Miserable and Miss. Miserable". Made me smile because I call my hubby "Mr. Miserable" in the mornings or when he is lacking the sun in the winter. He definitely isn't a morning person. Though I don't think many people are :)

And from this I remember the Mr. and Miss. Characters from Roger Hargreaves. Sadly I wasn't able to find a Mr. Miserable. If anyone finds one please let me know.


Hope you are all staying healthy and staying away from the flu! We are slowly recovering and hope to be in good health for the weekend.

XOX

The Miserable Family

Crunchy Roasted Broccoli Recipe

This recipe is a simple and easy way to have a yummy veggie side dish. Adults love it and I'm sure kids will too, though the amount of pepper may need to be adjusted.

And there are more reasons to add broccoli to your dinner. Ounce for ounce, boiled broccoli has more vitamin C than an orange and as much calcium as a glass of milk. Broccoli is also packed with Vitamin A, beta carotene, B vitamins especially B3 and B5, folic acid, phosphorus, potassium, iron, chromium and is a great source of fibre.There is strong evidence that broccoli may reduce the risk of heart disease. Like all cruciferous vegetables, broccoli promotes good colon health, protecting against constipation and colon cancer.





Crunchy Roasted Broccoli Recipe

Modified from http://www.wellsphere.com


1 head broccoli

2 Tbsp flaxseed, ground

2 Tbsp sesame seeds

3 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/4 to 1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper


Preheat oven to 450F.

Cut broccoli into 1 inch chunks and soak in bowl of water for 5 minutes.

Drain water from bowl and add all other ingredients to mix thoroughly.

Place on baking sheet and cook in oven for 10-12 minutes.

Serve.

Source: www.cnn.com, USDAs Nutrient Database

"Healthy" Brown Rice Crisp Treats

Healthy Brown Rice Crisp Recipe

 modified from thatsfit.ca


6 cups brown rice crisps
2/3 cup raw honey or organic brown rice syrup ( I mixed the two to make up the volume)
2/3 cup almond butter or natural peanut butter ( I used the almond butter)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Other add-ins include chocolate chips, dried fruit, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, ground flax meal, roasted nuts such as almonds

Method:

Line a 11 x 7 inch pan with parchment. Slowly heat the honey, nut butter, vanilla and cinnamon over low heat, stirring constantly, until blended. 

Immediately, while the mixture is still warm, toss the rice cereal with the nut butter mixture in a large bowl until very well coated. 

Pour the cereal into your prepared pan and press into all the corners. 

Allow to cool in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. When cool and firm, lift out of the pan by the parchment and slice to your desired size.

 

Note: for the chocolate chips, you will have to add it last so that the chocolate doesn't melt.

When I made these I added in some chopped roasted almonds and some dark chocolate chips.

Fill in the Blank Friday

Another Friday. And for some it is a long weekend. This will be our first "Family Day" with Katelyn and we'll be spending it with our relatives in the area. Can't wait to get together and eat :)

1.   I am       a mother, a sister, a daughter, a wife, a bestie, a friend, a cousin, a lover of all crafts and hobbies and desserts!

2.  The bravest thing I've ever done was    having a baby :)

3.  I feel prettiest when   I am wearing a fun summer dress.

4.  Something that keeps me awake at night is   what the agenda is for the next day, my many ongoing to-do lists and finances.

5.  My favorite meal in the entire world is     Mexican night (tacos, guacamole, salso, nachos, chimichangas...the works!)

6.  The way to my heart is      to make me laugh,  flowers and good food.

7.  I would like to       go on another vacation. I need a break from this cold weather!

If you want to join along, check out the little things we do.

100th Post and Giveaway!

To celebrate our 100th post we are having our first ever giveaway. So keep on reading for a chance to win an amber necklace.

Last year, my kiwi friend (kiwi meaning from "New Zealand"), mentioned that many of her friends back home with young children were using amber necklaces to help soothe their teething babies. It was my first time hearing of it and when Katelyn started teething I looked into it.

What I found was that Baltic amber, a fossilized tree resin, was most commonly used for teething necklaces and is most known for its healing qualities.  Historically, Baltic Amber has been used in Europe as a natural and traditional remedy and curative for many ailments for centuries. As early as the 12th century, amber tinctures were made from beer, wine and water. People found them effective against everything from stomach aches to rheumatism.

How it works?

When baltic amber is worn on the skin, the skin’s warmth releases trace amounts of healing oils from the amber. These oils contain succinic acid and are absorbed into the skin. And what makes Baltic Amber so special is that it has some of the highest concentrations of Succinic Acid found in nature.

Other benefits of Baltic Amber

Pain relief and analgesic properties that help to take the edge off of many types of discomfort such as  dental issues, headaches and joint pain.

Strengthens immune system - Succinic acid helps boost the body's own natural healing ability and immune system.

Restores Energy - Succinic acid restores oxygen and energy supply to depleted cells and helps the body return to a normal, functioning state.

Baltic Amber is also believed to be electro-magnetically alive and  may also protect against the negative influences of electrical equipment like computers, televisions, mobile phones and microwave ovens.

*For more details on the benefits of Baltic Amber you can also check out the site Inspired by Finn

So I came to realize that the necklaces were just not for babies. It could also be used for adults as a great piece of jewelery but also for pain associated with a variety of issues, such as arthritis and joint pain.
I was also fascinated when I found out that during the days of the Black Death in Europe, no amber worker died of the plague. And there have also been statements that suucinic acid was helpful for hangovers, too!

Unfortunately I didn't order it on time for her first tooth and used some homeopathic remedies that seemed to work miracles and helped calm her right away. And her second tooth came soon after so we didn't have the necklace yet. But now it seems like it is all started again, she is biting down on anything that she can find to put into her mouth and the drool is beginning. We have been using the necklace during the day and it seems to help her. It obviously doesn't work like some other remedies for immediate relief but when I know she is teething, I can put it on her and it has a soothing and calming effect and it helps to relax her. Amber is also believed to have exhibit positive energy and is associated with warmth and sunlight.  And for those that may not believe in the effects of the amber, the amber necklace is also a beautiful piece of jewelery that I am actually fond of. The teething necklace has a screw clasp and is knotted between each bead, in the case where it may break that the beads don't fall apart. For safety reasons, some moms have their babies wear them as anklets and cover them with their socks, so the babies don't have easy access to them.

Katelyn looks adorable with her amber beautiful necklace and because of the benefits you should try them out.


Now for the details on how you can win an amber necklace:

1. Go to Inspired by Finn and pick a necklace (16" or smaller) that you like that is in stock.  (If there is a [0] after the size in the drop-down box, the size is out of stock.) Leave a comment telling us which necklace and what size you would like to win. If you prefer, you can also email us at ourbumpadventures@gmail.com
2. Become a follower of our blog : Our Bump Adventures

Unfortunately, this giveaway is for Canadian and US residents only. It will be open until Saturday, February 26, 2011.

Good luck to all that participate!! 

And for those who have Monday off to celebrate "FAMILY DAY", 

Have a great long weekend!

To learn how to save 20% off ANY purchase with Inspired by Finn, go to their Facebook page.

Happy Valentine`s Day!

1 Year Blog Anniversary

credit

It all started with the first bump update one year ago.  We started this blog so that we can share our experiences and photos with our friends and family that were all very dear to us. And it was a lot easier to share our day to day adventures with everyone. There were always constant requests for pictures and updates on the bump status. At the beginning it seemed like no one thought the bump was big enough. But towards the end of the pregnancy people couldn't help but grin at how much my belly had grown.

A lot of changes have occurred over the course of one year. This time last year I was pregnant, reading many books on the birth and breastfeeding, how to take of a newborn and attending prenatal classes, hoping to be prepared mentally and physically for the birth of our child .  Since I assumed that I would go early I had taken two weeks vacation before my due date to have some time to prepare. But it ended up I had more time to catch up on sleep. Who knew that I should of cherished those last minutes of restful sleep :) and how precious they were.

We were blessed with the birth of our daughter on April 19 in the late evening of her due date.
The experience was life changing and we now understand why no one could really explain parenthood to us. We were always told " you will have to experience it for yourself". Words cannot describe the overwhelming feelings when you meet that little special person.  Your lives will never ever be the same. But we wouldn't have it any other way. Just to see her smile light up another person's face, a whole room... is priceless.
That same smile in the morning, makes my whole day!

I want to thank all our followers that have been with us this past year and of course, new friends that have joined our special circle. We love to hear from you so keep the comments coming along.


We are truly blessed to be surrounded with so much love and support.




I will have a post out later this week with a product review and details on our first giveaway.

Enjoy the last bit of your weekend!

XOX

Random Pics of Katelyn

During swim class

After swim class

Last weekend's snow storm. Sitting on the bench that Daddy made for her.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

XOX

What made me smile this month ... (January)

Still able to walk after my first spin class in over a year.

Starting the 21 Day Yoga Challenge at home with Katelyn sharing the mat with me

Katelyn smiling and making her "funny" face and finally feeling better after being sick the first week of the year.

The three of us playing in the snow. The first for Katelyn. Though I think Mommy and Daddy were way more excited than she was.

Making my first roast chicken..even though it was a tad overcooked

Making pizza dough and cinnamon rolls from scratch for the first time.

Hubby liking the "healthy" version of the Rice Krispie squares.

Katelyn belting out the lyrics (well kind of)  to Old MacDonald at her swim class.

Drinking wine at a dinner party and having yummy Korean food.

Realizing how silly I am. At my dentist appointment, he found a couple of cavities. Since it had been a long time since I had one, probably since I was seven. I asked the dentist "What does this mean? What will you do? Are you doing it now? Does it involve a needle?" And my dentist replied " You will need fillings. And no, we will book an appointment. And yes, but you shouldn't worry since 7 year olds get it done." I was a nervous wreck driving home.

Having a nice lunch out with an old friend.

Getting my parking ticket reduced. Definitely worth a trip to the court house.  Sadly this month, there were a couple of firsts for the new year. A parking ticket and a cavity!!

Surviving more spin classes. And finding an instructor I actually like including his music.

Getting a box of cereal as a gift. Totally random and loved it.

Fill in the Blank Friday

1. The TV show/website that I watch/read that I would be embarrassed to tell anyone about is well, let's see. I am not real embarrassed about these show, but let's say my hubby and some friends think it's funny. I love shows that I can somehow pretend that I am living their privileged lives with their silly problems. For example, OC, the City, the Hills, Grey's Anatomy.

2. An item of clothing that is worn and torn but that I love far to much to throw away is Yes, I can say I am a pack rat and love to collect a variety of things. My hubby jokes that I may be one of those cat ladies on Hoarders. Which I don't think is funny at all. These past couple of years with our limited space I am trying to cut down and actually clean up my act. But sadly, with clothes I do tend to hold onto them. I can remember where I bought them, like sweatshirts from Whistler or Calgary and items that I have received as gifts and who they were from. Yeah, it is tough, I guess I have a sentimental attachment to clothes. sad huh. But thanks to my hubby and my friend steph I am slowly learning to purge. Because....it means I can make room for new clothes!!!


3. My grocery store impulse buy is magazines and chips!


4. Something I do at work to pass time that I wouldn't want my co-workers to know about is check my email constantly and instantly put them into folders. Oh and my sister was on maternity leave before I left to go on mat leave, so I was always catching up with her and the kids.


5. One thing in my life that I could give up, but never will is chocolate! I couldn't give it up!

6. A little indulgence that I have is baked goods. During the winter months I love making them and enjoying them afterwards. And of course, wine!


7. The junk drawer/area in my house is they have been reduced to a couple baskets here in there. And right now our pantry is crazy and I have to go in there and do a "clean sweep".




Happy Friday everyone and hope you all have a great weekend!
We have a busy weekend planned out for us. The last couple of weekends have been relaxing but it will be nice to catch up with everyone this weekend.


XOX

Fill in the Blank Friday

Happy Friday everyone! I know I have been MIA for the last couple of weeks, but as usual I was inspired and I was working away in the kitchen. I'll have to post more about that soon. Me and Katelyn have also been attending more playgroups during the week so she will get used to being around other people and babies. Though she really never has a problem when she is, but I'm worried about the whole separation anxiety. And I have been keeping up with going to the gym. Slow and steady on that front! But hopefully I'll be back at a routine when I get back to work .. Ugh! So hard to write :)

Well enjoy the fill in the blanks and have a great weekend!

 

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1. If I could only read one magazine publication for the rest of eternity, I would choose Yoga Journal ( I find it totally uplifting) and Whole Living (for the recipes).

2. If I were to run my own magazine it would be about Nutrition and Family.


3. I buy my magazines (at the grocery check stand or via subscription) Subscriptions. I love getting the snail mail even if I was the one who set them up. I love getting them as gifts too!


4. I prefer my magazines (in print or online) IN PRINT!. Though I do love getting the online newsletter so I can have a wide variety and it doesn't take up all that much space in our small place.


5. The number of magazines I buy each month is zip. Though I have at least 4 subscriptions.

6. My favorite magazine genre is (lifestyle, gossip, home, etc...)  definitely food, love seeing the beautiful photos and getting inspired. Though I never really try the complicated recipes. But they always look so fancy.


7. The magazines I read regularly are Yoga Journal, Canadian Parents, Canadian Living, Clean Eating, Women's Health, Real Simple.