Oh my. It’s almost Friday again and I haven’t written a single thing here, besides food, in ages. Well, here’s something short and sweet until I get more creative.

5 things you didn’t know.

1) I ALWAYS wear a rubber band around my right wrist in case I ever get caught somewhere and need a ponytail holder in moments flat. (And when I wear a red one, LVgurl likes to ask if I’ve converted.)

2) I drink one can of Diet Coke a day. At lunch. And it’s fantastic. If my day is going HORRIBLE, I might have a second. If I am out and about, I will get that one Diet Coke at Sonic and add vanilla into it. Dreamy.

3) I tend to brush my teeth with sugarless gum on occasion. It’s not something I am proud of, it’s just that I’ve lost all brain power to remember the little things.

4) I own one of these and tend to wonder if, in fact, it does ANYTHING for my hair. Hubs thinks I wasted my money, but I have to think it does SOMEHOW, someway. Otherwise, I.am.truly.a.sucker.

5) I follow through on every timeout warning I give to Hola. EVERY SINGLE ONE. Because, one day, it will pay off. (Please, oh please, make all of this worth it.) IF not, I am going to start drinking two Diet Cokes a day from here to eternity. Aspartame overload, here I come!

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As I was checking out of Trader Joe’s yesterday, I told the cashier lady it always seemed most of my purchases were for the kids. Luckily, for them, there are lots of options for healthy eating and snacking. Here’s my top ten organic must haves.

1) Bag of Sweet Potatoes

I peel, chop, steam and freeze these guys in small pieces, so when it comes time for dinner, I have another vegetable option that’s one defrost button away from their plate.

2) Fresh Fruit: Pears, Peaches Strawberries, Bananas, to name a few.

I have always been satisfied with their organic selection and it’s only growing! Sometimes one of my peaches might be bruised a bit, but I start with that guy first…

3) Frozen blueberries

13 mo old eats these straight from the bag. It may get messy, but the look on his face is priceless! Best price in town, too.

4) Ketchup

Have you looked at the label on regular ketchup? HFCS, who knew? Glad we can use this when turkey meatballs are on the menu.

5) Bag of frozen corn, green beans, peas and carrots medley

It’s hard to find frozen green beans that the boys will eat. With this medley, they are getting the best of all worlds. (13 mo old doesn’t eat the corn yet, skin too hard to digest yet, they say.)

6) Can of Black beans

Best dish for the kids when I need a side of protein. AND, we use the rest in our tacos and taco salads.

7) Peanut Butter and Jelly Spreads

I’ve mentioned these before, but they are a staple in our 4 yr old’s diet. And, the peanut butter tastes perfect with a side of apple.

8 ) Mac and Cheese Single Servings (pasta is organic)

I even eat these when there are no leftovers or burritos in the house for lunch. They are great for the kids to share at dinner.

9) Joe’s O’s (Picture Spaghetti’o's without the junk)

Haven’t busted open this can yet, but I could place a bet they are just as tasty as the original.

10) Polenta tube

Another great side dish for us, or the kids. I have never made polenta until I found it at Trader Joe’s. Who knew cutting off a few pieces and baking in olive oil could be that tasty. Especially with a tomato-based sauce.

Anything else to add to this list?

Happy Shopping!

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1) Sweet, Savory, & Tart Trek Mix

Oh me, oh my. This mix is to die for. Dark/white chocolate chips, peanuts, cashews, cranberries and yellow raisins. Enough said.

2) Organic Creamy Peanut Butter/Organic Fruit Spread/Multi-Grain Bread

This trio is the ideal main item on Rt’s lunch plate. I have even made myself a sandwich or two. Ok, I have one at least twice a week.

3) Honey Wheat Pretzel Sticks

Great snack for Rt. Thicker than regular pretzel stick. Perfect for on the go. Easy to hand to the backseat while driving. Multi-tasking!

4) Noodles in a Box

Kung Pao and Peanut flavors are fabulous. Mix noodles with sauce IN box and heat in microwave for 2 minutes. Now eat! (I only use half the sauce to cut down on sodium. Still enough!) Perfect for when I don’t want to cook while hubs is out of town. Not the best nutrition, but quick, easy and delish!

5) Soy Orange Dream cicles

Have you had an orange dream cicle in your life? Did you love it? Well, you’ll love these then. Only problem is, they come 3 to a box. They don’t last that long in our house because of ME! I heart them.

Ok, so I have posted about Trader Joe’s findings before, but these are my latest, latest favs.

How about you? Have anything else to add to this list? How about dinner items? I seem to lack dinner supplies every time I leave the joint.

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1) Sound Machines – Bring on the fake rain!

We have these in both boys rooms. When Rt was little, and hubs was working from home, (still is) we used one during his naps to block out conference calls, etc. Now that we have two, and their rooms are right next to each other, these “rain” devices are crucial to blocking out middle of the night hunger cries and loud 3 yr olds trying to “remain quiet” while walking down the hall.

2) Oxo-Brite - the cleaner of champions.

Recently purchased this laundry cleaner from Trader Joe’s. ($3.99) Works just as good as Biz to get out pesky grass stains and poop smears, but doesn’t have all the chemical crap in it.

3) Organizational skills – must be ahead of the babes, at all times.

Whether these come naturally to you, or you can fake it like the rest of them, they are key in this time period. Always thinking ahead makes for a smoother day and a mommy who doesn’t run for the hills. Bottle washing, swaddle washing, lots of washing is needed. Not a good time to be conserving water over here…

4) Willing Partner – preferable one that helps in the night.

Hubs took a day trip yesterday for the first time and I SEVERELY missed his presence, especially at night time. His help has been invaluable and weekends have taken on a whole new meaning: Two more hands, Two more hands!!

5) 2nd refrigerator in garage – get used on craigslist!

To hold all the cases of beer we recently purchased at Costco so we don’t spend oodles of money at the local “whole foods” every night on our evening walks. Must have real alcohol to manage the look of normalcy.

6) Peanut Shell sling – Hello, lover!

If I did not own this, my child would not sleep. EVER. Well, during the day that is. The moment I put his fussy self inside, he immediately goes into “4th trimester” mode and passes out. Well, sometimes a paci is needed to settle his cranky self down, but it’s a miracle people, a miracle contraption in turquoise and brown print.

7) Friends – who cook, well.

Since having Hola, a group of gals have been bringing us dinner 3 nights a week. I can’t tell you how helpful and awesome this is for us. When everything is going to hell in an infant hand basket, dinner, literally, shows up at our door. And, it’s good stuff! And plenty of extras for leftovers and tasty desserts. I will be sad when this perk ends…

8 ) Grandparents – local ones are ideal.

My mom was there to bring Rt to the hospital to meet his new brother and hubs parents were able to take him back to their house for 4 days once we returned home. Having both sides fully devoted to helping us, especially with entertaining and doing almost anything Rt wants, is invaluable during this transitional time.

9) House Cleaner – that is not you and you actually pay for.

Sweet Vanessa. What a gal. Our house may not look clean with all the bibs, blankets, swaddles and burp cloths sprawled all over the house, but underneath, we know this house sparkles.

10) Belly Tauts – got to hold that new-found belly blubber in baby!

I have no idea if this thing is actually working, (in some ways, yes, it’s working), but I can say it’s done wonders for my back. Holding Hola (now a 9 lber) in the sling, especially while on walks can really do a number on my back unless I have this wrap on. Core support, I guess. Must work on stomach muscles soon. Crap. I still need to ask Brooke Burke if her extra spare tire hangs out below the wrap like mine does while sitting down. If so, will it stay that way for good? Eeek!

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