Things that Tickle My Fancy... anything Petunia Pickle Bottom... but this one has me especially.. giddy!!

Tranquil Tulips

Dense fields of tulips dot the Dutch countryside in this sweetly simple, Scandinavian inspired design of navy blue against bright white on Organic Cotton canvas with floral pattern Glazed accent trim.

"Have Weekender will Travel."

Navy/White/Cloud Blue modern tulip garden design with a floral tile Glazed accent trim. Navy Blue water-resistant lining and Cloud Blue piping. Cloud Blue cotton shoulder straps.

Lightweight and earth-friendly

Made from Certified Organic Cotton

Side snaps expand the interior space

Four exterior pockets for bottles, cell phone , Ipod or keys

Four internal bottle pockets, seven organizational pockets, and key clip

Removable and wipe-able changing pad

PPB Monogrammed wipes case

Spot clean with a damp cloth. Air Dry. Do not wash. Do not Dry Clean

Dimensions: 12"H x 17"W x 13

** My note - this bag makes me wanna grab my little ones and head on a road trip... Loving it!!

Options

A Comparison Of Rices for
Diabetes Meal Plans

Written by Sejal Dave, MS, RD/LD, CDE of HealthCastle.com
Published in September 2010

(HealthCastle.com) Rice is a staple food that is eaten all around the world. It's a cereal grass that is cultivated for its edible grain. Although the definition of rice is quite straightforward, the different varieties and forms can make it difficult to choose what's best for a diabetes meal plan. The following list provides a breakdown of popular rice varieties and the amount of carbs and glycemic index for each.

4 Rice Options for Healthy Meals

• Basmati Rice
  
  Basmati rice has longer grains or kernels than other rice varieties. It's known for its distinct flavor and aroma - the taste has been compared to roasted nuts or popcorn. Basmati rice is predominantly used in Indian cuisine, but can be used with various dishes. The kernels cook lengthwise, which results in long, free-flowing rice that is fluffy rather than sticky. Basmati rice is available in both brown and white varieties.

  In 1 cup cooked: 44 grams of carbs, 1 g of fiber, glycemic index = 58

• Wild Rice
  
  Wild rice is known for its nutty flavor and chewy texture. It's made up of four different types of grasses from the genus Zizania. It is native to the area around the Great Lakes, where Native Americans harvest it, so it is also known as Indian Rice. Because of the popularity of wild rice, it's also commercially produced (i.e. not wild anymore) and readily available.

  In 1 cup cooked: 35 grams of carbs, 3 g of fiber, glycemic index = 57

• Sweet, Sticky, or Waxy Rice
  
  Sweet, sticky, or waxy rice is a short-grain Asian rice, which, as its name implies, is sticky and gelatinous. It can have a sweeter taste than other rices and can be used as a savory side dish or as a dessert, depending on the cuisine. It has a higher glycemic index value than other rice varieties. Sweet rice is often considered to be high in gluten, but this is not the case. It is gluten-free and safe for people who have gluten-sensitivity.

  In 1 cup cooked: 37 grams of carbs, 1.7 g of fiber, glycemic index = 86

• Black Rice
  
  Black rice is unique not only for its color, but also because it's high in bran and antioxidants. It is described as having a nutty, floral taste that's almost fruity. Although it's not as common as other rice types, its popularity is increasing because of its healthy profile. According to Chinese legend, black rice was only for Emperors because of its high nutrient content, rare color, and highly unusual taste.

  In 1 cup cooked: 32 grams of carbs, 2 g of fiber, glycemic index = 78

The Bottom Line

A diabetes meal plan can definitely include rice - in fact, it's part of the grain/starch food group, which makes up a large part of a balanced meal plan. For people with diabetes, the focus should be on portion control and individual taste preference. The glycemic index can help guide your choice, but remember that each person responds differently to foods. It is best to check your blood sugar level two hours after a meal to see how you respond to rice and other foods.

 

** Found on healthcastle.com **

 

My note - As a diabetic I am always looking for food choices that will make my wife easier.  I am also always searching for things that my family will eat as well, so I dont feel like a short order cook. 

Going to the Fair...

Early on in our dating .. Anwar and I accepted the fact that on Friday night's we were just plain pooped.  I mean we were totally and completely exhausted.  So as a rule, we generally don't try to do too much on Fridays.  But, since I had my surgery last weekend, and was out of it.  We had to push back taking the kids to the Fair.

Our plan was to make the Annual Gwinnett County Fair a tradition for our family.  However, last year morning sickness trumped tradition.  So last night we loaded up the girls and headed for the fair.  Jaime was 3 the last time we went and I don't think she really remembered.  But, we tried to get her excited and tell her as best we could what to expect.  However, I don't think that anything that we said adequately described her first look at all the lights, the noise, and the sheer excitement that is in the air at the fair.

My little girl who is generally pretty.. cautious and even a little timid was mesmerized.  We ate first and she could not even focus on that task because there was so much going on around her.  She wanted to ride all the little kiddy rides, and some of the big kiddy rides which we had to deny her on.  But, she was a BEAST.. lol.

One of the kiddy rides just looked to me as something that could result in a potential melt down, for several reasons.  The first one being that she had to go on it all alone, no parental units, and the second one being, it went kind of fast and dipped a little low.  But, even after Mommy's "Are you sure, they won't stop the ride just for you " speech, she choose to go.  My brave angel girl..  She had a good time, and as I stood on the side lines.. holding on to the stroller too tight, and balancing Morgan on my hip, I swear I felt over bump and curve with her.  When she got off I asked her if she was scared and she said "a little bit", and pointed to the next ride she wanted to go on.

Its an amazing thing watching life through the eyes of your toddler.  It should be nothing new to me, but Anthony is 14 now, and its been a while since I have experienced... it..

My baby girl even did amazingly well, she didn't know which way to look with soo much going on.. but she seemed to just be enjoying being out in the night air...

Seemed like a great way to welcome in falll...

First Dayz of School...

First Days of School-
 
Last month both Jaime and Anthony started back to school.  Jaime in Kindergarden and Anthony in High School and even though that stretch is such a large one that it is almost comical.  I found myself having a lot of anticipation for the both of them.
 
For my Kindergarden baby, I worried about the adjustment to a new school and new children.  I worried about the difference in the demographics of the children that she knew vs those at this school.  I even worried about the level of responsiblity that would be put on her at only 5.  I worried about her being able to carry her tray, open her milk, not spill, etc.  I worried about her speech hindering her from being able to select what she wanted to eat.  I worried about her speech not being where I had hoped that it would be upon her starting Kindergarden.  And, how long the school would take before they got her into In School Speeech Therapy.  I worried about having to pull her out of school for her Private Speech Therapy and what if any stigma would be attached to her for needing extra help.
 
I talked myself up and down my worries in the weeks leading up to her starting school.  And, the first day I went in late, so that I could go with her and even though I could feel  apprehension, which was in all honesty probably a direct reflection of my apprehension.  She did well, she was able to get over her fear and she didn't shed one tear.  That set my mind at ease.  I thought of her several times during that day because I wondered if I would get a call, how her day went etc.  I called her as soon as I knew the Nanny had picked her up from school, and she was soo happy and chatty and I was pleased.  Crisis Averted.
 
With my High Schooler.. I worried about the adjustment from big fish to little fish.  I worried about the AP classes that they put him in this year, and whether or not he was ready to step up to the plate.  I worried about his basic laziness, and wondered if this year he would stop procrastinating and start to use the study habits that he had been taught.  I wondered if he would come in to his own, enough for me to start giving him some real freedom and real responsibility.  I even thought about the fact during the next year he would be eligible for a work permit and a driving permit.. Scary Stuff..  He did ok on his first day too.. and is still finding his way on the other things..
 
I know that someone said that being a parent is allowing your heart to walk around outside your body, and that is soo true.  It is one of the scariest jobs that I have ever had.  There is not a day that goes by that I am not thinking of 1 or 3 of them through out every hour of every day.  I know that it is my hope and desire to grow up strong, well adjusted people who are strong enough to pursue their goals and reach them.  Thats a tall order.. but by the grace of God...

Fall, one of my favorite seasons...

Theres something about the colors changing in the fall, and the briskness of the air that makes it an enjoyable time of year.  I can remember how much I loved the pumpkin patch when I was a young child of school age.  Its also around this time of year that my sweetheart, Jaime was born. 

She was born on October 28th, my Halloween baby.  Stuck in bed today recovering from Major Surgery, I have spent a good portion of my day, doing some retail therapy.  Picking out some signature pieces for my little girl that scream " My Momma thinks I am a diva". 

Here are some of the things that I came up with it.

The joys of dressing.. little girls....

Morgan's Baby Blessing designs by the Party Muse