Ready for another edition of Link Love here at Family Foodies??? I knew you were, so let’s get started!

As Cee (the other FAB intern here at FF) stated in her last link love post–we’ve discovered stumbling. It sounded a bit confusing to me at first but NOW I find it totally addictive and oddly relaxing. Here are some GREAT new foodie finds for you because I just couldn’t keep them to myself.

Any breakfast lover’s out there? I LOVE breakfast. It’s my favorite meal of the day–next to lunch and dinner! Being the weight conscious diva that I am, a sweet breakfast that can be made with WHEAT flour is right up my alley!

I’m always open to be fed anything delicious! This site has one amazing low cal yet high antioxidant smoothie that even your kids will love to slurp down. [Read more...]

The perfect sugar cookie! Easy to make, shape and decorate.

You will need:

• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla

-Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.

-Combine sugar, butter, egg and vanilla. Beat with a mixer on medium speed until smooth.

-Stir in flour mixture. Shape into a log about 15 inches long.

-Wrap in plastic wrap and refriderate for at least 2 hours, but as long as 2 days.

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

-Cut dough into 1/4 inch thick slices. Place slices on ungreased baking sheets.

-Reshape slices into cut outs if desired.

-We sprinkle colored sugar to decorate before we bake.

-Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes.

-Let cool on baking sheet for one minute, move to wire racks to cool completely.

-Enjoy!

This post continues my Cross Blog Conversation with Tracy Roberts of Moms in a Blog.

Thank you for all the great links and advice on saving money on groceries, Tracy. I, too, like the Hillbilly Housewife. I only just discovered her site. It is packed with lots of great home making ideas as well as kitchen helps.

Tracy asked me:

What other cool ideas have you found to help a mom provide nutritious, easy to prepare meals (breakfast & dinner are my downfall)? And can you share some recipes?

Great question!

I personally love the website How To Make Easy Meals that Marie Ynami hosts is a great resource for specific meal ideas. She has her categories broken down so well that I can click on any number of categories she has listed and get several easy ones to make. Here is a great recipe for Breakfast Burritos that you could incorporate in with your freezer cooking that I guest posted for her.

Menu Planning Central has excellent meal planning ideas and is a great resource also. Christine Steendahl has both free items for menu planning and a subscription service that does much of the planning and shopping list for you.

Now I have a question for you, Tracy: What is the mission of Moms In A Blog and how can others get involved?

This is a continuation of my CBC with Janet from Educate Empower Enjoy. In Janet’s post she comments:

“Edie, I am curious, you mentioned in your original post that women have a difficult time talking about their weight. Why do you think that is? We can talk about everything else with great ease, but for some reason weight is a taboo subject reserved for group meetings and the church confessional.”

You are SO right, Janet. Women literally share everything but this. I’m of the opinion that we see weight gain and/or the resulting health consequences as personal failures. I certainly did. Now keep in mind that I, like many moms, never had weight struggles until I had children. For me it started with the trying to get preggo process because I went through fertility treatments which resulted in raging hormones and out of control hunger. You can see where I’m going with this.

[Read more...]

For those of you not familiar with a CBC, it stands for Cross Blog Conversation.

I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to have some heart to heart CBC’s with Janet of Educate Empower Enjoy — “a site dedicated to helping women educate themselves, empower each other, and enjoy our crazy lives!” How cool is that?? In addition to runing a pretty fabulous blog, Janet is a full time working mom outside the home in the field of Special Education.

In preparing for this assignment, (Yes, Kelly gives her interns HOMEWORK!) I realized that Janet and I have something in common. In fact, I’d venture to say that many of YOU share this same commonality. We struggle with our weight. It’s not a pleasant subject, but in the interest in helping our readers and families improve their health, I thought it a fitting subject..no pun intended.

I want to THANK Janet for being so brave, open and honest to discuss this with me–and you! So, let’s get this conversation started…

Janet, you list top 4 reasons for wanting to become “healthy” not “skinny”. What do you believe the difference between the two to be? Do you think the number on the scale matters? Why or Why not?

Follow me to Janet’s Blog to read her answers and questions for me. Then, follow me back here at FF. See you soon!