This week was our local Festival of Trees. I've never gone to see the trees before - my children have, but this was my first year, and it was the perfect year to go! Mainly because, I actually knew someone who was doing a tree - she and her mom did a fabulous job! It was by far one of the best trees there, and I'm excited to say that it sold for $1100 at the auction. She was ecstatic to say the least!
Sam, Alex and I met Diane to see all the trees Tuesday morning and had a grand time. We saw a really cute holiday craft project to do with the kids on a tree decorated entirely of kid crafted snowflakes and stars - simple snowflakes made using 3 large popsicle sticks covered in sequins or rhinestones.
Sam's favorite tree was the Carousel tree. The tree slowly turned like a carousel and was decorated with carousel animals that also turned. It was very well done. There were many other creative trees and I've uploaded some of my favorites to flickr.
Diane and I keep hoping to donate a tree ... we have most of our ornaments, just need a tree and to find the prefect tree skirt and topper.
After seeing all the trees, the boys headed off for an afternoon with Grandma, and I went to the library to replenish our stash of books. I was informed by a certain 2nd grader who needs to list three books she's read each week, that all our books .... the four crammed-so-tight-we-need-another-shelf book shelves ... were boring and she didn't want to read them. So off to the library I went so we would have one less fight over homework.
Tuesday night we had a quiet half hour before bedtime and so GR read some of our "new" books. Alex was hilarious. He insisted on climbing over GR's shoulder and nestling down right in "the cave." He stayed for the first book and then wandered off, only to return the same way 4-5 times during the next three books.
The TODAY Show had a guy from Men's Health on this morning. He's made a top 20 list of the 20 Worst Foods in America, a list anyone who eats out - ever - should be familiar with.
The point is many of us don't think of the food we order at a sit down restaurant as being as packed with calories and loaded down with mounds of fat like traditional "fast food" restaurants (aka McDonald's, Wendy's, etc.). This list is eye opening to say the least! Before blinding ordering anything off a menu, I'm gonna have to some homework to make sure I know what I'm eating. I was shocked at how many calories and grams of fat could be packed in to a "simple" meal from some pretty basic places we've all eaten at.
You can all read the list yourself, but here are the ones I'm shocked at:
# 15 -- Worst kids' meal
Macaroni Grill Double Macaroni 'n' Cheese
1,210 calories 62 g fat * 3,450 mg sodium
It's like feeding your kid 1 1/2 boxes of Kraft mac 'n' cheese.
Your Best Option: The 390-calorie Grilled Chicken and Broccoli.
#9: Worst dessert
Chili's Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream
1,600 calories * 78 g fat * 215 g carbs
Would you eat a Big Mac for dessert? How about three? That's the calorie equivalent of this decadent dish. Clearly, Chili's customers get their money's worth.
Don't Overdo It: If you want dessert at Chili's, order one single-serving Sweet Shot; you'll cap your after-dinner intake at 310 calories.
#5: Worst pizza
Uno Chicago Grill Chicago Classic Deep Dish Pizza
2,310 calories * 162 g fat * 123 g carbs * 4,470 mg sodium
Downing this "personal" pizza is equivalent to eating 18 slices of Domino's Crunchy Thin Crust cheese pizza.
Swap Your Slices: Switch to the Sausage Flatbread Pie and avert deep-dish disaster by nearly 1,500 calories.
#4: Worst pasta
Macaroni Grill Spaghetti and Meatballs with Meat Sauce
2,430 calories * 128 g fat * 207 g carbs * 5,290 mg sodium
This meal satisfies your calorie requirements for an entire day.
Downsize the Devastation: Ask for a lunch portion of this dinner dish (or any pasta on the menu, for that matter), and request regular tomato sauce instead of meat sauce. You'll cut the calories in half.
And #1 ... well you're gonna have to read what has more calories and fat than eating 14 Krsipy Cream Donuts.
