Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Week Plan Wednesday

Wednesday- I made a whole lot of roasted beats on Tuesday, so be prepared.  Salad with roasted beets, goat cheese, and lemon vinaigrette.  Pulled pork.  Baked potatoes.

Thursday- Ratatouille.  Bread.  Salad.

Friday- Cabbage and bell pepper stir fry.  Rice.

Saturday- Grandma is bringing dinner.  She said coleslaw and three bean salad, but there is sure to be a meat as well.

Sunday- Au gratin potatoes.  Roasted beats with yogurt-dill dipping sauce.  Celery sticks.

Monday-  Carrot soup.  Corn bread.  Leftover three bean salad, because yum.

Tuesday- Youth group night.  Although there are only 2 students coming to dinner regularly, so that's not such a big deal.  Chili.  Garlic breadsticks.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Week Plan Wednesday

May Saturday just got busy.  I've got a regional music therapy conference committee meeting for 5 hours in the middle of the day, and then a women's study group meeting after the kids go to bed.  I may have to put off intentionality for another few weeks.  Does that seem terrible?  Oh dear.

Also, the littles got sick sick sick at the end of last week, so we actually ate chicken soup with a rotating cast of vegetables Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.  And then, since I had already defrosted the sausage, I did the sausage and egg bake for the youth group last night.  That means this week, I'm going to reuse a two of the things I said I was going to make last week!  Yay!

Wednesday- Curry with potatoes and green peppers.  Rice.  Cucumber and onion salad with yogurt dressing.

Thursday- Broccoli and mushroom calzones. 

Friday- Burgers on the grill.  I can't believe the forecast is calling for 52 degrees!  Escarole salad.

Saturday- Pasta with caramelized fennel and onions.

Sunday- Roasted beets.  Baked potatoes.  Roasted chicken with rosemary.

Monday- Slow cooker pork ribs. Coleslaw. Cornbread.

Tuesday- Roasted cauliflower, roasted spiced chickpeas, rice pilaf.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Cloth Diapers, Pros & Cons


I had a request for the pros and cons of cloth diapering vs. using disposables.  Now, granted, many of these are subjective or maybe, possibly sorts of things.  Also, some of them are clearly more important than others.  But given those caveats, here's my list!

Pros!
-The biggest pro for cloth diapering is the cost.  Between $150 and $400 will buy you all the diapers you ever need ever.
-They're also more environmentally friendly.
-Depending on your kid's skin, you may have fewer rashes with fewer chemicals.
-I also find them easier, because I hate shopping, only have one car that goes to work with The Hubby, and am very disorganized about getting to the store.
-I find I have less smell in my house b/c I wash every 2-4 days, and never have a wet diaper older than that sitting around.
-They say cloth diapered kids potty train faster, although I'm not sure that's been proven.
-I hear, also, that cloth diapers prevent more poop blowouts.  And if you do get a poop'splosion, you can just pitch the clothes in your wetbag or diaper pail with the diapers.
-Finally, they're cute!  Big and fluffy!  Cute patterns!  Blue and pink and green!  I love it!

Cons!
-If you have a heavy wetter (as in, doesn't pee for hours and hours and then lets it all rip) you might have pervasive leaks.
-Probably cloth diapers leak pee more often in general than 'sposies.
-You have to wash them, dry them, and store them someplace (easiest is just having a laundry basket that you dump the dry diapers into and diaper directly from that, but you might want to fold them and put them in a drawer or something).
-Some baby/toddler pants (especially for girls) are cut for 'sposies, so they don't fit well over cloth.
-Once baby starts solids, you have to dump poops in the toilet instead of just wrapping the diaper around them and forgetting about it.
-Some babysitters/daycares don't like doing cloth, although most will work with you.
-They're more of a hassle when you travel, because you have to either find someplace to wash or pack around dirty diapers, and they'll take up a whole bag of their own if you pack more than a day's worth.
-They're also bulkier than 'sposies, so you need a bigger diaper bag (at least until the toddler stage).

That's all I can come up with.   Any input from readers?  What do you put on your baby's bum?

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

And a Happy New Year!

Whew!  I can hardly believe December is over.  It flew by in its usual rush with a crazy full house and too many obligations for The Hubby.  I have not had time or energy to reflect on the last year, let alone plan for the new one.  And this weekend is winter camp for the Junior High students.  Followed by The Gibbon's birthday next week.  Holy Cats!  I may never catch up with myself.  Shall I make a date to reflect and plan on the 12th?  Ok, it's a deal.

Who wants a meal plan?

Wednesday- Eggplant Parmesan and Risotto.

Thursday- Turkey Noodle Soup and (leftover) buns.

Friday- Fresh bread. Rice. Green beans with garlic. 

Saturday- Pasta with sauteed fennel and onions.

Sunday- Broccoli and sausage oven bake.

Monday- Eating out or ordering in.

Tuesday- Youth group is back in session!  Woot!  Curry with potatoes and green peppers.  More bread.