So somewhere in my brain I have decided to get in better shape this year.  I know that everyone sets this goal as their New Years resolution, but I don’t do resolutions.  I do aspire to become thinner, however long that may take.  With my days being consumed with house cleaning, chasing after two year old twin boys, one wild golden retriever, and maintaining the laundry trail, I don’t get too much time to myself these days.  Plus it is winter, and well me and cold don’t mix, so getting out to be active isn’t my most favorite option in the world.

Nowadays many Americans are finding a new way to get in shape that makes a fun alternative to the bike or the treadmill.  I know that doing the same thing can definitely lead to boredom, and a quick ending to your motivation.  Now there is a new way to get in shape, spend time with the family and have fun.  Playing popular video games like Wii Fit (which I love), My Fitness  Coach, or Dance Revolution can really make exercise fun.  GameStop stores offer these titles and more and have associates that can help you and your family find the titles that are right for you.

I personally love our Wii Fit and I find myself getting on the thing more and more.  Plus an even better advantage is that, I can do it in the warmth and privacy of my own home.   The games are a blast and so much fun, and  for the month of January GameStop is offering its customers a “Sharpen the Mind, Shape the Body” incentive to encourage active gaming.  They are offering to all shoppers that spend $35 or more on designated products, a free 12-month trial subscription to Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Redbook, Esquire, or Good Housekeeping.  This is perfect combination, have fun on your Wii Fit, then sit down and have a good read.

Visit GameStop today and get active!

Ok so here’s the deal. I decided to try this out. I know that Mondays are hard because you are busy getting back into the swing of things. Being a stay at home mom means my husband goes back to work and I am again working solo in all things household. I figured that I would share my dinner with you, and maybe it will help give you some ideas. I know from experience that it is so easy to get in a rut when it comes to thinking of what to make for dinner, and for alot of families you need things that are fairly easy to make.

The meals I make aren’t foo foo either because being a mom of twins doen’t give me a whole lot of time to fancy things up. And, I don’t think toddlers care just as long as their bellies are full.

So here is today’s meal!
Chicken in the crock
I just toss in 4- 6 boneless chicken breasts
1 carton of chicken stock (usually use Swanson)
2 cans of Campbells Cream of Chicken and Mushroom Soup

Toss it in the crockpot and let it go on high for about 6-8 hours

Fresh Garden Salad (toss in whatever you want…I like to buy the bagged lettuce and wash it, add a tomato, cucumber, a few grapes, and some cheese…green goddess dressing is our fav)

Steamed Broccoli (The Birdseye Steamfresh broccoli is perfect! I just add a little butter, sprinkle with salt and garlic powder)

Au Gratin Potatoes (I use the Betty Crocker ones out of the box but if you are industrious you can make your own homemade ones)

Fresh Frozen Peaches (I buy the ones at whole foods, thaw them out just a little and sprinkle with a little brown sugar and cinnamon or just a little plain sugar…the boys love these!)

This is a fairly simple meal to make and the chicken is so good.  You can also serve the chicken over rice or noodles as an alternative.   Here is my meal in pictures!  It doesn’t look gourmet but the plates were cleaned!

Share your Monday Dinner Ideas!

I am always looking for ways to get organized. Since having children, it seems that my mind is busy trying to be in fifty places at one time.   I am planning what is for dinner, remembering where I need to go, doctor’s appointments, and what needs to be picked up at the grocery store, and errands to run.   With all these things swirling through my head, I almost always forget something.

I was recently introduced to Cozi, a FREE web service that helps busy families manage crazy schedules, track shopping and to do lists, organize household chores and stay in communication, all in one easy-to-use solution.  It gives you one central location to manage everything from family schedules, shopping lists, messaging tools, mobile messaging, and even a family journal.   One of the coolest features Cozi has , is that you can access your shopping lists or schedules from your mobile phone!   I cannot tell you how many times I have left the house without my shopping list or, I cannot remember if the boys appointment was at 10 or 10:30.  Simply call up Cozi using their toll free number and it can read it to you over the phone or text it to you!  In addition, Cozi now has a mobile version especially for the iPhone and Windows Mobile phones! Families can now sign-in and access their Cozi account using their mobile web browsers.   They can add and edit shopping lists and view and edit their family calendar using the mobile version of Cozi right from their iPhone.  This is a new feature! You can learn more about it here.

Cozi is such a cool site and it makes getting organized fun and makes forgetting even more fun!  I can’t wait to leave home without something just so I can try it out.  Plus, there will be no more tearing off the corner of the phone bill envelopes to scribble down my grocery lists (an I know you know what im talking about  lol).  Check out Cozi and save your sanity as well a few trees!

My apologies for taking a little while in getting back with the winner of the Game Night Giveaway! Things have been a little hectic but finally returning to normal!

Congratulations to Katherine F. the winner of the Game Night Giveaway. Check back often for more fun opportunities here at DoubleBugs!!

When it comes to clothing for little ones, I am a sucker for organic cotton. There is something about the way that it feels, and just knowing that it doesn’t have anything that will harm your baby. When they are little and especially in those newborn years, babies have such sensitive skin.

With a mother and daughter team running the show, B-Nature has developed a wonderful line of pure organic clothing. Not only does the clothing feel incredibly soft but they have such a cute and wide selection of clothing. They have incorporated calm yet stylish colors into their new line such as Green Tea, Wheat and Pistachio. B-nature’s color grown line is produced with only naturally colored organic cotton, which means it is minus all the harmful dyes and chemicals, but not without the “totally adorable factor.”

Another nice thing is that B-Nature’s clothing has no tags! I know I personally look for clothing, that is minus the tags. It is one less thing to irritate your child’s skin. Organic cotton, also washes up so nice. I have quite a few pairs of pajamas for the boys that are organic cotton that I choose for them first, before anything else to wear.

Although, they don’t have larger toddler sizes just yet, I still found myself looking at all the really cute clothes. And after awhile, it just makes me want to have another little one, so I can put him or her in one of B-Nature’s gown or rompers.

All B-Nature’s clothing and gift sets are:

• made from the finest 100% organic cottons
• produced without the use of harsh pesticides
• made from organic cotton grown in healthy farming communities
• sewn under fair labor conditions incorporating living wages, employee housing, meal plans, and health care.

I definitely give B-Nature the “Mommy Seal of Approval.” I firmly believe that companies that have a goal of giving safer eco-friendly options for our children should always be my first choice. B-Nature has some really cute gift sets that would be perfect for a new mom, not only as something special but as a way to introduce her to another alternative in clothing her baby.

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I hope that 2009 is a good one filled with great and wonderful changes! I hope to be back in the swing of things here on my blog on Monday. The holidays are always a hectic time for people and mommies especially. I think I have been in fast forward for the past month now.

We are all down sick at the moment with the exception of my husband. Today we took Alexander to the urgent care because he had labored breathing and a high temperature. They had to give him a breathing treatment and put him on steroids for 5 days. I have already noticed a major difference. Poor thing was exhausted and so was mommy because we were up every hour last night. I hope this means we are turning the corner. It is just incredibly hard when they are sick.

So I am hoping that this is not indicative of how 2009 will be. I am looking forward to great things in my life and here on my blog. I am determined to stay really motivated. I don’t typically make any resolutions simply because it sets you up for failure on day one. I prefer to think of them as aspirations and ideals that I wish to achieve at my own pace. That way when I don’t achieve them I can look forward to continuing to try and meet the challenge. I think it presents in a more positive light and then you just don’t have that resolution looming and you don’t have to feel bad…I think it just has a negative effect on your self esteem. So here’s to all those great aspirations! Ive got lots to look forward too…how bout you?

Zenni Optical sells stylish prescription eyeglasses online and you avoid all the middle man expenses. They have a huge selection of frames to give you that modern classy look. Zenni Optical sells only their own manufactured frames direct to the customer so this is what makes their prices so much more affordable!  This day in age with the economy basically tanking, people seem to be skimping on the little things.  But with the great deals at Zenni you don’t have to skimp on high quality frames.

In my family, a lot of people wear glasses so this would be a great place to send them, especially my parents.  With rising economy costs and the fact that they have to pay so much money for medicine, groceries, and all the other not so fun things, getting glasses from Zenni would probably feel like they are splurging.  It might even be a good way to give more than one pair to someone and, a chance to feel like a million bucks.  Zenni has so many cool  Holiday frames. So why not head over to Zenni and dress up your outfit for the holidays with some stylish hip frames, or give someone who doesn’t have much, the gift of sight this holiday season!

We are finally back from our trip and I must say it was pretty uneventful in terms of travel hassles.  The boys did really well on our 6.5 hour drive both ways.   I had prepared myself for a lot of whining and complaining but it was quite pleasant and I didn’t arrive completely frazzled.   We got home early on Sunday and between now and then, I have managed to put away all their new toys, build their home depot work bench, just about finished my laundry, and managed to grocery shop and make a couple of meals in between.

It is always nice to get all the stuff unpacked usually it sits in a corner and mocks me for a few days  LOL!  The boys are doing well and love playing with all their new toys especially their tools!   They both have picked up a little “kung foo goo” as I call it, and have been struggling with stuffy noses.   They both had mommy up about 12 times last night but I am a veteran night waker now HA!   I know it isn’t any fun for them when they can’t breathe.   I am just keeping them hydrated, the humidifier on full blast, and nose drops at night.

So far so good…..returning back to normal.   What is normal anyway?????

Here I am sitting here with the windows open at my parents house!   We are in the dead of winter and when we left it was only 5 degrees!  Now it is a balmy 70 degrees here at my parents house and the heater is turned off.   It has been such strange weather!   It makes me want to get in my shorts and sit out in a lawn chair, but like all good things they must come to an end.   IT is supposed to be 30 degrees by this evening….so much for an early spring!

I am enjoying my visit home and tonight will be the big family gathering.   I am looking forward to seeing all the people that I don’t get to see.   My boys will get to interact with some of their younger cousins and well I get sample all the good food.   It’s amazing how much you miss these things when you live so far away.   For me a visit home means a little spoiling for mommy.   It is nice to be pampered….the food always tastes better when you don’t have to cook!

But, like all good things, I am ready to head home tomorrow.   I think you start to miss your bed and house.   It is always nice to see family and visit but with little ones it is nice to get home and get back into a routine.  They have been adjusting very well in their new surrounding so I cannot complain too much!

I just wanted to wish DoubleBugs readers a very Merry Christmas.  I hope your travels no matter how near or far are safe.   I hope that your family has a wonderful time and that they are in good health!   I might not post for a couple of days due to me being away from my computer so hope you all have a wonderful Holiday!