Whole Wheat vs. Wheat Clarification

Kitchen Tip Tuesday

Since people have become more aware of the importance of eating whole grains, companies have become sneaky in marketing their products and making them seen healthier than they are.

100% Whole Wheat/Grain--This means that the product only contains Whole Wheat/Grains

Made with whole grain--This basically means that the company can put very little whole grain percentage wise in the product, but consumers will think it is healthy.--Look at the fiber content. It there is not 3+ grams of fiber, its probably doesn't have much in the way of whole grains.

Wheat--Again, no specific amount of whole grains--can just be added caramel coloring. This is a great one for crackers. I was in a hurry and grabbed the wheat saltine crackers, thinking I was choosing the healthier product. They had the same amount of fiber--less than one gram as the other saltines!

Bottom line--read the fiber content! This is a good indication of how "whole grain" the product is. I now read fiber content more than calorie.

For more great kitchen tips, visit: http://www.tammysrecipes.com/node/3293

Duke versus the vacuum

Duke--the attack dog!

Duke and his new bed. (Material picked out by "T".)

"K" thought he needed a blanket.

I'll try not to keep boring with stuff about our new dog, he's just so doggone cute... :o)

Adventures in the land of Duke

Our new dog is a sweetie and we have all fallen in love with him. He has added a little more adventure to our lives and even took a couple years off of mine! He is wonderful with the kids and likes to play.

On Wednesday afternoon, the kids had taken him out to meet the neighbor kids, who he also loved and brought him back in the house. "T" then decided to go back out and Duke bolted out the door. I was on the phone about to leave a message when the kids came running up to me crying and telling me that Duke was gone. I did not have on any shoes, but I ran out the door to try to call him. Duke was having the time of his life running all over exploring at top speed. He thought that this was one of the best games EVER! All these humans trying to get him and he could get so close and they couldn't catch him! Did I mention this was just the time school was getting out, so there were cars everywhere. There is nothing like sobbing kids, trying to catch a run away dog you've had less than 24 hours and then watching said dog almost get hit by a bus and a car to stop the heart! Oh yeah, then there was the police officer that stopped to ask me if I was going to be able to get my dog back. He was very nice and willing to help, especially after he saw "T" sobbing. I was praying the whole time and God must have worked in the little beast's heart because I told "T" to go get some treats and he ran back to the house and Duke followed him in!!! This lasted about 10 minutes and we took several trips around the block, but seemed to be much longer!! The kids were upset at Duke, but really, in his world we are just people he is staying with for awhile and aren't really his home yet! We have rules in place now for both kids and dog to hopefully keep this from happening again.

We had a two year old over yesterday. He was great with her. He even let her lead him all over with the leash, so I don't think we'll be calling him "Killer." :o)

Today, we all had to be gone, so I decided to leave him upstairs with the door between the upstairs and kitchen closed. We had already tried gating him upstairs, but the gate ended up at the first landing. We gave him his toys and a huge rawhide bone, closed the door and got ready to leave. I carried stuff out to the van, came back for another load and there at the door was a very happy Duke. He even looked a little proud of himself. The latch is a lever type, so he used his paw to open the door. I couldn't help but laugh. He got to spend the day in the bathroom upstairs which he did not escape from.

Think on These Things Thursday...

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

On Thursdays, I want to start posting something for us to think on in our Christian walk. Trust me, these will be things that I need to think about and work on also!!!

It is so easy to get busy in life and to think about everything, BUT those things listed in the verse. It is easy to think about what is happening in our country, what is going to happen in the world, etc. It is also easy to think about things at work or our personal life or finances. Lately, I have found my mind consumed with our country and even worrying about it. I think that we should stay informed, but have decided that since I find myself thinking about it A LOT, I'm going to let my hubby, who is not a worrier let me know if there is something I should know about or write a congressman about. I am going on a news fast!

With it so easy to think on the things listed above, we need to purposefully think on the Bible and the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, or of good report. I have found the following to be helpful:

• Read your Bible, pick a verse or two to meditate on throughout the day. (If I am reading a passage that I don't find a verse to meditate on, I read through a chapter in Psalms or Proverbs until I find one.)
• Memorize verses. I work on memorizing a passage every morning. (It is in a zip lock bag on my shower wall. :0)
• Pray about situations.
• Read godly literature on topics that interest you or that you want to work on.
• Talk with a friend or have them hold you accountable.

Our new family member!

Welcome Duke!

The search is over. God led us to a wonderfully sweet boxer. His name is Duke. On Monday, I was really discouraged with the whole dog hunt. The kids wrote "dog" or "puppy" on my grocery list 5 times on Saturday and even hubby seemed to be getting a little impatient! I hadn't received an e-mail back from the MN Boxer Rescue and had even e-mailed someone in North Branch who offered to meet us half way to meet their dog, then never e-mailed me back. (I got an e-mail today--he went to another home--he was older and they were unsure of his history before they got him 4 months ago.)

I was showing Mike a dog at the local pound and then happened to remember a boxer mix at a rescue to show him, so I went back to Craigs List and their was an add for a "Purebred Boxer, great with kids." There weren't any pictures, the ad said he was "rust colored" with black and white markings, so we were expecting a brindle which is kind of tiger striped, not our preference, but the couple were grandparents, had had him since he was a puppy and assured us that he was well mannered and LOVED people. We decided to drive to Cambridge (about 2 hours away) tonight. (I was going to wait until Saturday, but hubby volunteered that we could go tonight.) We walked in the door and immediately fell in love. He didn't bark or growl, just seemed excited to see us and gave the kids lots of kisses.

The gentleman we got him from said they got 26 phone calls for him! We were the first call. :o)

It was a little sad to take their dog. They are moving and can't take him with. I assured him he would have a loving home.

We are thankful God led us to the right dog. He also worked it out so the kids and Mike and I (in shifts) can be home with Duke tomorrow. We have some training to do. He is 1 1/2 years old. The pictures really don't do him justice!

Substitutes for Cracker Crumbs

Kitchen Tip Tuesday

I generally try not to use a lot of cracker crumbs because they aren't very healthy, so I've experimented with healthier alternatives. These are also good if you are usually use crackers and run out. :o)

Some things that have worked well are:

• Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (Gluten free, too!)
• Whole wheat bread crumbs (the staler the better); you can also toast the bread, then make into crumbs
• Wheat germ or Wheat bran (works well, but give the casserole a "wheaty taste")
• Ground Flax Seed--doesn't absorb as much liquid, though. It works okay.

My hubby's favorite is the Rolled Oats.

For more great kitchen tips, visit Tammy's Recipes at: http://www.tammysrecipes.com/node/3277

Random Brain Cell Firings

The boys had their pinewood derby on Friday. They were quite proud of their cars. They didn't place in the races, but seemed happy overall. I'll try to post pictures of their cars maybe tomorrow.

Today we are having a rain storm. True to Minnesota weather, however, it is just warm enough to rain, but still cold enough to have ice on the sidewalks and roads. The true adventure, however is where is the slippery spot and where is the road fine????? Oh, the joys of Spring. I was excited about the rain because it is a sign of spring and wasn't SNOW...but then I put my foot on the sidewalk and it didn't stay put! Such fun, all you who live in the South are missing out on a lot of adventure!

"E" is continuing to do well and is able to bend her arm a bit more. We decorated the ace wrap that goes around her splint with red flower and heart stamps, so it is "pretty." :o) I think I might have an idea for a new career!

Hubby and I were able to shampoo our rugs and got rid of a lot of the pug hair on Saturday! My rug looks green again instead of tan! The kids helped a lot, too. :o)