Flax Seed

Lately I have spoken to a few people that have some health problems. It really makes me want to eat super healthy but for me and the reality of that is super slim. I'm sure for most of us it is. I always try to make bad food have something healthy in it so at least the kids are getting something nutritious. Flax seed is always used in my house.  Here I have pictures of pancake mixes and mac n cheese.
When I make pancakes especially with bleached flour I always add a ton of flax in the batter and the kids can not even tell. You could add it on the top also. It has a great nutty flavor I love.
For mac and cheese, I don't buy the boxed kind anymore not even organic. I boil noodles and add butter and cheese and flax. Kids can't even tell on this one either.
I absolutely love using flax for all the omega-3 fatty acids, lignans and fiber. Omega s are great for your childrens brains development.
Always try to add some fruit or vegetable with every meal.

Diet and Losing Weight

Is this the story of everyones life or what?!! I've been trying to loose weight since I am done breastfeeding my lil man. I have lost 12 pounds and need to loose another 10 to get to my goal weight. It's so hard and I understand how hard it is for people to do especially when you have kids. I am really happy I am able to have some self control to do this and mainly for health reasons. I don't get sick when my kids get sick because I am at a healthier weight (within my BMI) . It is so worth all the effort just for that.
I am always looking for new health recipes because eating vegetables can get boring so I try to switch it up whether it is just cutting veggies differently. 
Here is a fish recipe my mom makes. Everyone who knows my mom LOVES her food. This one is super easy again so it's a plus for me! I also made a salad on the side.

Easy Ginger Fish
A few of your favorite white fish filets (I used tilapia) 2 tablespoons Oyster sauce
1 clove garlice sliced
2 tablespoons thinly sliced ginger
Few sprigs cilantro

Put fish filet in pan with oyster sauce and garlic on top. Cover and cook on low until fish is cook through.  It will depend on size of filet. Top with ginger and cilantro. You could add green onions also. As always adjust anything to your taste.

If your a vegetarian you can make this with tofu and vegetarian oyster sauce.

Yellow Squash Salad
2 yellow squash shredded
1/2 spinach
2 stems cilantro, take leaves off ( you can use mint or any kind of herb)
Peanuts

Mix together squash, spinach and cilantro. Sprinkle peanuts on top then use your favorite dressing.  I used Japanese marinade/dressing. A lot of marinades are less fat so I try to use them instead.

Spring has Sprung

Happy Earth Day first of all! Love your planet.If you love gardening like me this is probably your favorite time of year. This year I haven't done much gardening because we just move and had our whole house renovated so I am a little tired. Im really wishing of having tons of veggies and fruit in my yard but it unfortunately won't happen til next year. I will be making a trip to the nursery and atleast getting a few plants to put around our deck. I can't live with out one plant!

First two pictures below are pictures of plants in North Carolina. The tree is my neighbors.The dark purple plant is wisteria. I stopped on the side of the road to take this picture.People over here refer to them as weeds because they grow everywhere.  They are all along the roadside and if you roll down your window you can smell their beautiful fragrance. I would love these weeds! I would like to get a gazebo and have these hanging down through the front walkway of my house.
The last two pictures are from my last garden in California.  The grapes were amazing including the green tomatoes and zucchini we planted. Hope everyone is enjoying spring and all the green growth ;)

Fresh juice

I love fresh juice. I rarely drink juice pre made unless it's freshly squeezed. There is such a big difference in taste to me. Fresh is always better, that goes for all food.
I made this juice with my ninja 1100. Not your regular juicer and a little more work. I used strawberries,  apples, cuties and kale. I cut everything normally in fourths. The cuties I peeled first then cut. The kale I tore the leaves off. I put everything in the blender and made sure it was as smooth as I could get it. After, I let it sit in a strainer. I feel bad sometimes straining all the pulp out because it's so good for you but the juice taste so refreshing without it.  Pour in a cup and you have some tasty fresh juice. Garnish the tops and perfection!
I'm debating on getting a juicer. I need some recommendations on good ones.

Cilantro Citrus Hummus

This is soooo good. I love anything with limes or lemons and I always have cilantro in my fridge. That goes for limes also. This is super easy to make and very healthy too! I ate this with carrots, cauliflower and radishes.  I also love it on sandwhiches, salads and of course pita chips. Lettuce and tortilla wraps would be yummy too. Next time Im going to use roasted garlic instead.

Recipe
1 can garbanzo bean ( white beans are good too)
I kept some water from can so I wouldn't use alot of oil
1/2 lemon juice
1/2 lime juice
1 tablespoon zest from lime and lemon
2 tablespoons olive oil or tahini oil
1-2 cloves garlic
1/2 bunch cilantro

Blend together until smooth. Always adjust any ingredient to your taste.

Boston Bombing

It is so sad we have such corrupt people in this world. I just can't stand it when children are involved. They are so innocent. I can't even imagine loosing one of my children. When I think about it, it makes me cry. I feel so sorry for everyone that had to go through this. Everyday for the rest of their lives they will live in fear. Not only them but  people signed up for races coming up will also live in fear. Hopefully everyone will  be able to overcome this sad situation. I hope what ever sicko is responsible for this will get caught soon so they won't do it again. Sending my condolences to family and friends of those who passed away or have been hurt. xoxo

Those who passed away.

Florida

My husband has to go work in Florida for a few months. Since he will be going there the kids and I will definitely come down also to visit. Ive been researching about the Florida Keys and now I really want to vacation down there. I've even been bugging my husband to buy some property down there it looks so beautiful. I would absolutely love to bring the kids snorkling or diving in the beautiful water there. We would all have a blast. Hopefully we can stop by Disney World also. Being from California I have been to Disney Land but I've been told it's nothing like Disney World because it's so huge and much more to do.

Some favorite Pinterest pictures.

Lemon Raspberry Angel Cake

I have always wanted to make candies lemons. My sister makes a similar cake to this so I thought it would a great accent to the cake. The inside is angel cake. The frosting is a whipped cream frosting made with heavy whipping cream lemon juice, lemon zest and a little sugar. I topped it with raspberries and candied lemons. The leftover syrup from the candied lemons I drizzled all over the cake. It is soo good and a super easy recipe, not too sweet. I wanted to cover the whole top with raspberries but three little boys got to them first.

Candies Lemons
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 lemons
Simmer lemons in syrup for 20 minutes

</ Cake all dressed up div>

Monsanto, your food and agent orange

I was told by a few people I should do a post on this. I tried to sum this up as short as I could. I could probably write at least 10 pages on this.

                               I see many people now a days trying to eat healthy. Why wouldn't anyone want to at least try to eat healthy. The best quote I've heard has been " the food you eat can either be the safest most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison. I agree with this completely. You are what you eat. Id rather be a fresh picked fruit or a halibut caught straight from the sea, not a bag of chips or even bread that takes months to disintegrate maybe even years. We have to worry about our food being treated with chemicals because companies want to produced food more rapidly or with less risk of dying ,making more money in their pockets. Monsanto Company, as I am sure everyone has heard of is a company doing this.
Monsanto Company is known for genetically modifying seeds. They are also known for the herbicide Roundup. The genetically modified seeds are able to tolerant herbicide. Yes herbicide the stuff that is meant to kill weeds. Plants SHOULD die from herbicides. It's a chemical. Nothing should tolerate it including humans. We can tolerate it according to the USDA and Monsanto. We don't die from it, right away anyway. 

                          Monsanto Company is the same company that made agent orange for the Vietnam War. Agent Orange was made of herbicide, defoliant and jet fuel. It was sprayed across Northern Vietnam to defoliate forest and deprive guerillas from cover.It was sprayed on farmland forcing farmers to migrate down south. Throughout the war there were different types of defoliants sprayed, they were all meant for one use, to destroy the land.  The concentration was 13 times more then the recommended dose for domestic use.The estimates of deaths from this spray were around 400,000 and around 500,000 babies were born with birth defects. Veterans who served in the war had many problems including high cancer rates. My father served during that time and now has throat cancer.

                                                  Babies born stillbirth from agent orange.
 

It's hard for me to believe in the long run GMO foods won't harm us. Yes the concentration of herbicide, defoliant were 13 times the amount suggested for domestic use but if I ate to much fruit
I don't think I'd have a baby born like this.

 Please feel free to comment anonymously any information I might find interesting. Also any information I have that is incorrect.

Information found from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_Orange

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsanto

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food

Kitchen remodel

Are kitchen remodel is almost done! I chose gold and silver granite with oil rubbed bronze fixtures for a more antique look and white cabinets for a more bright clean look. I love antique everything but sometimes it's too dark thats why I chose white cabinets, to brighten it up. We still have to do a back splash, touch up paint and I have ordered pendant lighting, knobs and pulls. Im still debating on stools but I think I will get wicker or rattan and roman bamboo shades. Then I will get to decorate ;)

Before and After
I need to invest in a good camera not just my phone. Pictures either don't justify or justify too much ;)

Easter

This was our first Easter in North Carolina. We had so much fun although I really miss my family in CA. The boys had a blast dying Easter eggs with my little sister and of course everyone ate a ton of candy. We baked cupcakes with cadbury eggs in the middle of them, topped them with cream cheese frosting and decorated the tops with almonds as flowers and some with oreos. They were insanely sweet!
  We had a traditional Easter dinner, turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, homemade mac n cheese, cranberries and sautéed bell peppers and portobello mushrooms. It was very good.
   The next day I made turkey soup with kale, carrots and corn. Making leftovers is the best.  Hope everyone enjoyed their Easter!