Embracing the distant parking spots!

Today started off bad. Texas State University is a good college, but has major issues with parking. I spent 30 minutes looking for a parking spot and then ending up parking across campus and walking 1.5 miles to class. Needless to say I wasn't happy, especially since it was raining. However, I made the best of the situation. I was given 30 minutes of exercise! Yes I was hot and sweaty after walking to class, but I was able to exercise for 30 minutes without interruption. No hubby asking me to do something, crying baby, or demanding preschooler. I started to become very thankful for my 30 minutes to reflect on my day, plan my activities, and just enjoy being able to walk! So yes, I'm embracing my 1.5 mile trek to class and will do so twice a week until the beginning of May!

Welcome back oats!

The family and I headed to our local warehouse store and stocked up on a few things.

We only went for two items, bacon and tissues, but came out with a whole basket full. Most importantly we restocked my oatmeal supply! Of course that's what I had for breakfast this morning. I resorted to a staple of no sugar added oatmeal (oats + peanut butter + banana). Delicious!



The little one decided he wanted cottage cheese this morning, so pretty soon I'll be heading to the store to restock that too.


I'm a bit of a cottage cheese snob and really prefer Daisy cottage cheese, but if it isn't available I'll get the local HEB brand. Anybody else a brand snob on certain food items?

Making baby food

Baby food can be expensive! Little jars can be around a dollar for certain brands, and the two pack of plastic containers were $1.17 when I looked a few weeks ago. Sure a dollar doesn't seem like much, but my little guy eats about one little container at each meal. When you add the cost of formula the price drastically increases. Making your own baby food is a great way to keep costs down, while knowing exactly what goes into your little bundle of joy's tummy.

I decided to purée apricots the other day, and it was extremely easy. I put a very small pot of water on the stove and heated to a boil. I removed the pot from the heat and added dried apricot. After covering and letting it sit for a bit, to make sure the dried apricots absorbed the water, I placed the apricots and a bit of water into a small food chopper.


Depending on how smooth or thick you want your purée, you'll need to add some of the cooking water and purée a bit longer.


I only filled my little pot about half way with apricots, but it made quite a bit of food.



Another great point about storing puréed fruits is that you can freeze them for baby later on, or can cook with them. Apricot bread anyone Personally I wouldn't keep any frozen foods over 6 months.

On the search for inserts

Went on the search for sof soles today for the hubby. We went to the doctor a few weeks ago and he recommended the comfort soles by Sof sole that you heat in the oven and then place in your shoe. It should actually mold to the foot. Sounds pretty interesting, and so we were going to buy a pair and try them out. Well, it's impossible as they have been discontinued and replaced with a different style insole by Sof Sole

Has anybody tried these? I'd love some feedback before we purchase them.

While we were at Dick's sporting goods store we browsed around and my son wanted to get on "Daddy's bike".



So now it's two against one for the bike and I'm outnumbered. I do have a feeling that I will probably cave in the near future and get it.