Seaweed Smoothie Fail. Tofu Pie Success!

Ok so I'm a sucker for products and recipes. If the package looks good I want to buy it. If the claims look half honest I'm tempted. I know it makes me sound like I have a house full of junky half used products, but I don't. I don't give into temptation much after all I am a Graphic Designer trained to know and design the tricks that make us want to buy things. It still doesn't stop my curiosity though. I do have self control... sometimes. I'm still in the dog house for the Seaweed Smoothie I created. That creation literally tasted like crab! I tried hiding the seaweed taste with fruit and it just made it have a sweet yet salty crabby taste. Maybe we should have had crackers with it? No. My husband was a trooper as he always has been for me and tried it with me. He drank all his, I couldn't get half of mine down. Good thing the after taste didn't last long! Yeah, Yuck.Oops FAIL! Anyhow,  the latest is a Low Calorie Chocolate Pie I saw Chef Alton Brown made on the Dr. Oz show. Here's the thing, the main ingredient is Silken Tofu! I had never tasted Tofu before until a few days ago. I was skeptical at first but was curious enough to try it. The chocolate Pie is delicious!! My whole family liked it! Yes even my dear husband who doesn't like tofu agreed it was good! Maybe because you don't actually taste the tofu! Hmmm.... So check it out, here's the recipe and the link to where it is on the Dr. Oz site http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/alton-browns-dairy-free-chocolate-pie IngredientsMakes 8 servings 13 oz semisweet chocolate chips 1/3 cup coffee liqueur  (I used a sugar free Caramel flavored Coffee syrup as a substitution) 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 lb silken tofu 1 tbsp honey  1 (9-in) prepared chocolate wafer crust (store-bought is fine) DirectionsPlace enough water in the bottom of a 4-quart saucepan to come 1 inch up the sides. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Place the chocolate chips and liqueur in a medium metal mixing bowl, set over the simmering water, and stir with a rubber or silicone spatula until melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Combine the tofu, chocolate mixture, and honey in a blender or food processor and spin until smooth (about 1 minute). Pour the filling into the crust and refrigerate for 2 hours, or until the filling sets firm. Courtesy Alton Brown, 2011From “ Good Eats: The Early Years” Try it! It's yummy... now where did I put my slice?

Vacation.

We just came back from a wonderful family vacation! God is so good in allowing this blessing. We went to Disneyland in Anaheim California. We left October 31st and came back November 5th. While we were in the sunny land of California we went to Disneyland, California Adventures, Disney studios, Lego Land and Sea World. We also got to visit the a Disney studio set. The whole vacation was a blast! We stayed at the Paradise Pier Hotel and enjoyed the Lilo and Stitch breakfast. While we sat and had breakfast the Disney characters roam around and mess with people. We also had breakfast at the Storytellers Cafe with the characters. All of the characters came up and found my son's Mohawk fascinating. Yes it is quiet cool. A lady ask to take a photo of him while waiting in line at Sea World! She said "You are so lovely!" I was a bit surprised but, he did get a lot attention for his "cool hair." In fact after we left the Disney studios I got word that his hair was a the topic of conversation. I love it, after all I was the one to cut it like that.

So where are the pictures?! Well, the camera bag was accidentally left on the kitchen island so I good photos. I was limited to a cell phone and the HD Camcorder camera option. I did get lots videos of our trip. We did get a few photos taken by the Disney photographers and a disposable camera.

We arrived in CA at about 11pm. When we got to the hotel we were all excited and very awake. We were so happy to begin our vacation there. The kids loved seeing the Palm Trees.

The first day we went to Disneyland and had tons of fun. The crowds were not bad at all. We all rode our fair share of rides. Ash however refuses to go on any roller coaster that looks a bit extreme. She only sat out on two of them though. I was proud of her.

The second day we we went to Lego land. I wasn't too impressed to visit California only for the park but was a neat place to include on the trip. The Lego displays were amazing. They had a few fun rides. My son actually enjoyed screaming on purpose on the roller coaster rides that were not that "exciting." I guess he was making a rather sarcastic point. The kids got their drivers license from the Volvo Fun Driving School. They got to drive small cars that went up to a whole 2 MPH. I am slightly envious of their cute drivers license pictures. The best ride for me at Lego Land, was the Sky Cruiser. It's a track set high above the park with pedal cars. I think the kids liked the roller coasters. After Lego Land in Carlsbad we drove back to Anaheim to meet Ang, she was a beautiful bridesmaid in our wedding. I sure miss her!

The Third day we went to California Adventures which is right across from Disneyland. We enjoyed this place. Again, the lines were not long at all. In fact we rode the Orange Stinger about 4 or 5 times! The kids loved that ride. It was rather neat to fly high in swings. 3 out of 5 of us rode the California Screamin'. My son and daughter did not want to chance the loop. While were were walking around the park I got a good news text message from Ang. Since the girls are into acting, Ang wanted to surprise the girls with a tour of a couple of sets. Her sister, and another friend of mine, is an Associate Producer for a Disney Channel show. We left California Adventures to head to the Disney sets. The kids actually had no idea where they were until we were walking around inside the lot. While we were there they were actually taping the Suite Life On Deck. We got to see Selena Gomez taping in a scene. While Kim gave us a private tour of two of the sets we also saw Jake T. Austin and Dylan Sprouse on the lot. The girls almost lost their minds! It was a great highlight to the trip (Thank you Ang and Kim)! After the studio visit we drove down the Hollywood Blvd street. We didn't want to get out and walk down the street with the stars. Not with the kids! Then we decided to drive to the famous Rodeo Dr. We finally got to meet up with Ang again and had dinner at an Italian restaurant at the City Walk.

The fourth day we went to Sea World. Sea World was amazing. We got to see Shamu of course. None of us got wet. We also got to see the Anhuser-Busch Clydesdale horses. The horses, whales and dolphins are absolutely beautiful! I have to admit, the "Believe" theme from the Shamu's show didn't inspire me as much as the whale did. I guess it didn't touch me since I viewed most of it through a HD camcorder. After leaving Sea World we went to Medieval Times. Now that was a show! We all enjoyed yelling and cheering. They fed us "Baby Dragons" that tastes just like chicken! The knight we were cheering for threw a carnation up to us and my son caught it and gave it to me. He is such a sweet boy to his mommy.

The last day we woke up and went to have breakfast at the Story Tellers cafe and visited both Disneyland and California adventures for half a day. We had to be at the airport around 3:30 pm so we decided to make the best of our half day! We were sure sad to leave the sunny land. No one wanted to come back home. The kids wanted to bring the Palm Trees back with them. I did too! So I think we have a serious goal in mind to eventually move...again. We have a few things anchoring us here but after a few years we will be able! Yay!

We're baaaaaaack...

Well, we are all back from Texas. School starts for me on the 22nd for the kids the 18th. We rented a Buick Rendezvous! It was very nice. From Irving, TX to Belleville IL it was about 12 hours. We broke it up in two days. I drove from Irving to Joplin, MO one day and the next Joplin, MO to Belleville IL. Starting from Irving, TX wasn’t so bad. We stopped in Oklahoma City to see the kids Grandmother and Aunt. They all were so excited. The got pictures and I gave them some pictures of the kids. They got to see the Cruise pictures too. It was a nice short visit. We stayed for about 2 hours or so. Then we got back on the road to Joplin. You know this time I don’t remember seeing the big McDonalds arch. Hmm... Weird. Any how we got a hotel at the Motel 6 for a night. It was really late, like 1 almost 2 am. The kids wanted to watch Disney all night long. I let them. I thought hey we are going to be on the road for a while tomorrow maybe they will sleep! So I got some rest and they watched Disney. I think I woke up around 4 am and told them to go to sleep. So much for them staying up all night, or morning! So any how I got up and rearranged the car so they will have all their snacks in the back seat already and cleaned out the car. It was a mess already. The kids had crayons and food crumbs every where. I did really like that car! It had a lot of room. So we washed up, and got on the road about 11am. The drive wasn’t so bad. I had to make my morning calls to let everyone know I was ok. When we got into MO further there were storms off and on the highway. It was a little sprinkle here and there. Then when we got into St. Louis the rain got harder. I avoided traffic by taking 270 to 255 home. Rush hour wasn’t a thing I wanted to go through after driving so long. So we made it home all in one piece. The kids wanted to go to church. It was Wednesday service so we went. I wanted to go anyway. I wasn’t tired out like I usually am. It was a peace about this drive. It was great, one that I can do again. I didn’t dread it. So I was on the road again to go to church. We got welcomed back with open arms. It was a great feeling being back home, and seeing the people we missed. I like Wednesday service a lot more than Sunday. Its less of a rush it’s more relaxed. Any how the kids were told they grew. They did I just haven’t seen it since I’m mom I guess. But the funny thing is, when we got home I measured them against the wall and they are now four feet! I am four feet eleven! So wow the girls are gaining on me! Adrian is right behind them too. I didn’t realize it but they did grow. So back to church… I saw a lot of folks I missed dearly. Rene gave me a great hug. Bad Brad was good to see again too. I wished I could sit out and just chat at the tables but I need Jesus so I thought I shouldn’t skip out on the word! Any how Chris gave me a welcome like no other by putting ice down my back and a big hug. All the others passing by saying welcome back and heeeeey!! Was so great. Anyway life at the house is peaceful. School starts soon. I wonder if I will like this semester… Hummmm…. I hope the kids like theirs. This might be the last semester they are home schooled. I’ll have to see what way God wants us to go. I just know for know he wants me to Graduate :)