2Day's Shared Memories

I found that going back to work at the office is not only less stressful and more productive but I lost 3lbs in one week, woohoo! I'm so excited that this year has started on the right foot and am looking forward to many more wonderful weeks ahead. On that note, I have to say that my venture to try this squash was not a good one. I semi-followed a herbed based recipe for baking this and added some apple chicken sausage and though I liked the texture of the squash I wasn't a fan of the bland lack of flavor and this surely is not what I was looking for. So, for now, I am putting this aside. However, if you know of any recipes that are SO delicious...please share!

Me! Ha, right. I don't know about you but most years I don't make a New Year's Resolution let alone stick with it. Maybe I am a little superstitious...or maybe I know that 'life' happens and it doesn't mean that it will ever co-inside with what you have planned. So what do you have planned??
I have so much planned it's a little overwhelming for me to think about how I am going to get it all done by 2011 but I am taking one day at a time. It's funny how you think about one thing and it almost always leads to something else needing to be done first. Hmmm.....anyhow, I know one thing is for sure no matter what my plans are my only true goal is to continue to make life better for me and my kids.
So as a part of my plan I will make sure to write here, as frequently as possible. I'm going to keep it mixed though...food, recipes, living gluten free. But also about my life as a mom, a single mom at that. With that said, I am going to work on a little scrapbooking from one of the contests over at DSM - my favorite forum!! I will post it here when I am done.

Ah, yep I said it! D-I-E-T!! I, now more than ever, am in need of improving my lifestyle not just for me and my health but for my children. I have found that with all the emotional and mental turmoil of 2009 that I have gained a significant amount of weight. I don't want to be a yo-yo dieter, I don't want to lose than gain. Instead I am turning to whoever wants to listen and input. I want to make permanent changes that in the process of learning I will be able to lose weight...and the key is to keep it OFF! So, I am asking...what have you or will you be doing in 2010 to work on your lifestyle??

On another subject, I said I would let you know how our 'little' family reunion went...it was amazing!! And although I am exhausted, I am truly happy that my family all got together and had such a wonderful time.

whether you celebrate or not you know that the holidays are upon us. Traditions are carried on or new ones are made and you don't have to celebrate to create memories, right?? I love the holidays. Our family get togethers, having fun, playing games and exchanging gifts of course. This year is extra special...we're having a little family reunion this weekend. I say little because there are a few members who are far away and can't join us, but little is still just under 30 people! Yes, I have a large family. We're going to have so much fun I can't wait to share everything with you, dear reader. I am making sure to take pictures along the way and I hope to soon return to creating my scrapbook pages on a more regular basis.

So here's to wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday Season!!

Let me know what your traditions are...I'd love to hear them!!

Karma: Although there are people out there that will argue what I am about to say but 'I Love Karma'!! Yes I believe it can work both ways...either for good or not. You might call it something else like, "What goes around comes around" whatever, it's all the same to me. I have spent most of 2009 repairing, mending and replacing a lot of 'wrongs' in my life and I have been rewarded. My family and I are healthy (so thankfully). I have been blessed with a new job that I absolutely love and the best part is I have been reunited (virtually) with many old friends and colleagues. I have so much to read, write and learn still that I find I am often distracted by my own thoughts. Silly, isn't it?!?!
Good Food: So if there is someone out there who is looking to add a little spice to their dishes or you just want to try something new. I've tried both of these recipes and they were both HUGE HITS in this house.
Crispy Southwest Lasagna
Santa Fe Chicken Chili

It' been a hard year and to top it all off...I found out my youngest needs to be Gluten Free. This is a whole new world. To anyone who doesn't have food allergies/intolerance's...Be Thankful! I can't believe how expensive "special" dietary products are. I am, however, so grateful that there are so many people out there who have chosen to share their trials and triumphs. I am still learning so much but in the process I am finding out that going Gluten free is going to be better for my whole family, not just the little one. I have started reading The Gluten Connection and reviewing many endless blogs and websites. One of my favorite blogs is the Gluten Free Goddess, I have tried a few of her recipes and my whole family has loved them! I am, however, looking for more recipe sites. I want to try other recipes! If you've tried any that you like...please share.

All joking aside and without any 'original' excuses I return to the blog. In my absence, I have found that many things in life can provide dead ends, pot holes, speed bumps or detours on the road we all think we are on. Most of the time we drive too quickly and end up at a dead end without even knowing how we got there only to reflect and realize that we missed our turn. It's at this point that we are forced to turn around, drive slower and pay attention.

With that said, I have spent much of this year adjusting to my new life...one as a single mom. It's had it's ups and downs to say the least but I'd have to say that the kids have never been happier.

This next year I plan to focus on me! Wow, me, really?!?! Some would say that I am selfish or that I won't be a good mom and I have struggled with whether or not to feel guilty but in the end I know that I cannot, no matter how hard I try, be a good mother if I am not well. So it is with you, lucky readers, that I plan to not only share my thoughts but links, recipes and new found adventures on my road to a new me. I hope that you will begin to share your thoughts, ideas and stories with me too!

So say goodbye to 2009 and HELLO 2010!!!