Yes Mom

August 7th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Parenting - (2 Comments)

Ava and Zak have been off on a Daddy/Daughter Adventure this weekend, giving me and the little one an opportunity for a Mom and Max Staycation of our own.

Together Maxine and I made a plan to do all the fun things she likes to do. How often do you have to say “no” to your kids and their stream of demands from that well that never seems to run dry?  It was nice to be able to say “yes” a bit more than usual for a couple days here.

Dressed to Clean

August 6th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Healthy Habits - (1 Comments)

It’s Saturday morning.

It’s been a long week.

Translation: I’m cleaning today.

But first!  I need to say good morning to my cup of coffee, my laptop, Barbie and a Fashion Fairy Tale Easy Reader, dress up shoes that should not be on the table in the first place, a broken slinky and a pink knit snake named Hissy that are all about to be trudged back upstairs to the playroom in a moment here.

Coffee First

Get Motivated

When it comes to getting motivated to clean house, getting dressed to clean is an amazing trick.

How to Make Awesome Hummus

August 4th, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Lunch - (57 Comments)

Have you ever run your finger along the side of the near empty Sabra container and wondered:

“how the heck do they make hummus so dang smooth?”

Have you then stuck that hummus covered finger in your mouth and wondered:

“how the heck do they make it so dang creamy?”

Well wonder no more.  I’ve busted two of Sabra’s smooth and creamy secrets and I’m here to spill the beans.

The naked beans, that is.

Secret #1You’ve got to peel the skin off your chick peas.

Naked Beans

I Hate To Burst Your Bubble

August 2nd, 2011 | Posted by Alison Spath in Parenting - (5 Comments)

This is the only time you are ever going to see a recipe here with corn syrup – so this is serious business. It’s time to sit up straight and pay attention.

Karo Corn Syrup for Making Big Bubbles

(aren’t I bossy?)

Actually, if you don’t have kids – never mind. Skip this post.

On second thought – wait. Don’t go just yet.

I suppose if you don’t have kids but are yourself sort of playful and/or laugh a little too loudly/hysterically/obnoxiously with your spouse/partner/friends/dead goldfish when you’ve had just a little too much to drink/smoke/eat – keep reading. This recipe/activity has the potential to be pretty entertaining.

Trust not small ones with Greek yogurt on their face.

 – Ancient Proverb (probably)

After offering Maxine a sample of my Cucumber Melon Water:

“Did you like it?”

Cucumber Melon Water

“I tasted something slimy in there.”

Nice try kid.  You barely took half a sip.

Next time you are cutting up a cantaloupe or watermelon, throw a couple of chunks in the jar with your water and cucumber slices to turn Cucumber Water into Cucumber Melon Water.

It’s good. You can trust me. My face is clean.