This is a cool optical illusion and really shows how we process color!
All posts by NerdMom
Spelling Errors
I am a sloppy typist and a horrible speller, I totally admit it;). But….. I know this is going to come off nit picky but a State dinner is a big deal. A big enough deal that they should spring for a spell checker (a person not the software;) for all printed material put out at it. Apparently in our abundant federal budget there still isn’t enough money for a spell checker because there were quite a few spelling errors in the menu. Now before you jump on me remember about formal dinners. At formal dinners a menu placed at every place setting. Go check out the errors over at Mom Logic.
Muppets take on Queen!
Yes, another video. But there are so many good ones out there!
Sunsweet Giveaway!!!
I hadn’t had a dried plum since I was a kid. My mom hated them and prejudice me against them so it was great when I got a chance to try them again. I love raisins and plums so it would make since that I would like them. So when I unwrapped the first Sunsweet Ones individually wrapped dried plum it was like a piece of candy! My kids don’t have all the old people stigma that went them so they were clean slates. They also liked them! These are great snacks. The kids feel that they are getting a treat and it is really good for them. How good???
* Antioxidant rich. Prunes have a high antioxidant (ORAC) score. Antioxidants help to slow the oxidative damage to our bodies, and many researchers believe that antioxidants slow the aging process.
* Potassium punch. Move over bananas! Ounce for ounce, prunes have more potassium than bananas. Studies have shown potassium helps prevent hypertension and stroke.
* Bone health. A handful of nutrient-rich prunes a day may help bone metabolism and the reversal of bone loss for people with osteoporosis. They may also lead to improved bone formation.
* Low Glycemic Index (GI). Prunes are a low GI food, and therefore help to contribute to a low Glycemic Load diet and can aid in preventing and managing conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and obesity.
* Heart health. Prunes can help play a role in preventing heart disease and chronic diseases because they’re rich in antioxidants, which slow the chemical process of oxidation and protect key cell components from damage.
* Prebiotic power. Prunes naturally contain prebiotics, which stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine. This helps dietary fiber perform well and promotes immune system and digestive health.
* Weight loss. Prunes are a good source of fiber, and this can help keep hunger pangs at bay. As a food component, fiber isn’t absorbed, so it doesn’t contribute calories that’s why high-fiber foods are included in weight loss diets. Plus, four prunes have just 100 calories!
* Potassium punch. Move over bananas! Ounce for ounce, prunes have more potassium than bananas. Studies have shown potassium helps prevent hypertension and stroke.
* Bone health. A handful of nutrient-rich prunes a day may help bone metabolism and the reversal of bone loss for people with osteoporosis. They may also lead to improved bone formation.
* Low Glycemic Index (GI). Prunes are a low GI food, and therefore help to contribute to a low Glycemic Load diet and can aid in preventing and managing conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and obesity.
* Heart health. Prunes can help play a role in preventing heart disease and chronic diseases because they’re rich in antioxidants, which slow the chemical process of oxidation and protect key cell components from damage.
* Prebiotic power. Prunes naturally contain prebiotics, which stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine. This helps dietary fiber perform well and promotes immune system and digestive health.
* Weight loss. Prunes are a good source of fiber, and this can help keep hunger pangs at bay. As a food component, fiber isn’t absorbed, so it doesn’t contribute calories that’s why high-fiber foods are included in weight loss diets. Plus, four prunes have just 100 calories!
Win it!
Five (5) NerdFamily Things Readers are going to win a Sunsweet reusable shopping bag and a Sunsweet VIP Coupon, which is good for ANY Sunsweet product up to $5.50 in value.
To enter:
* Just leave a comment telling me either your favorite healthy treat to eat!
* A random winner will be selected and notified on December 7th.
* The winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.
To earn extra entries, you may do one or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra ticket but you must leave a separate comment for each one.
* Subscribe to my feed (if you already do, that counts).
* Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here.
* Subscribe to my Twitter and then Tweet about this!
* You can tweet everyday for an additional entry, just make sure to leave a comment for each time!
If you want to see more giveaways pop over to Making Money Keeping Money to see more giveaways on Contesting Monday
This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and Sunsweet Ones, who provided the product for review and giveaway. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.”
Peaches and Cream French Toast
This is a great recipe that our Mentor Mom Doris made for our MOPS breakfast and it was yummy!
Ingredients:
1 cup packed Brown Sugar
1/2 cup butter, cubed
2 tbsp corn syrup
1 can (29oz) sliced peaches, drained
1 loaf (1lb) day old French bread, cubed
1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese cubed
12 eggs
1 1/2 cups half and half cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
Process:
In a small sauce pan, combine the brown sugar, butter and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved: pour into a greased 13in x 9in baking dish. Arrange peaches in dish. Place half of the bread cubes over peaches. Layer with cream cheese and remaining bread. Place the eggs, cream, and vanilla in a blender: cover and process until smooth. Pour over top. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean.
Serves 12
Fat Rant!
My Guilt, My Fear
I knew that I would probably have some pretty bright kids. I am blessed with a husband who is absolutely brilliant so the chances of smart kids were good. But what I didn’t expect was the guilt in the face of their brilliance.
NerdBug (8) and NerdPie (6) were pretty bright. NerdBug didn’t really read early but once he did the kid started eating books. He is a year ahead in math and overall pretty bright. NerdPie started doing 25 piece puzzles at like 14 months old, she read in kindergarten, and is ahead at math too. So, while I know my kids are above grade level, I have been afraid that I am not educating them up to their total potential. I should be doing more with them but life always seems to get in the way. I have Latin to do with the oldest that I can’t make time for. I am not diligent on the history. They could be speaking foreign languages, doing physics, who knows what. So if I was guilty and afraid before…..
NerdDad started going through a great book series with Nerdling in the this last month. Here is what my 4 year old (he won’t be 4 1/2 until the end of January) read last night all by himself:
Mike has a hen. The hen is black. It is a fine hen. The hen is lost. Mike is sad. Is the hen in the nest? It is not in the nest.
The word egg is what stumped him. I am in so much trouble…..
What if I don’t equip them well enough? Their intellect and brilliance is a gift, what if I am squandering it? What could they do if they had a better mom? In all seriousness, I am not wondering about sending them to public school. I know that a teacher in a class of 30 couldn’t take as far as I am now. But, there is always a but, is it as far as I could take them?
Uh, Mommy Guilt exponentiated.
Our Secret Weapon to Teach Reading
We have always been a fan of the Bob Books
book by a good friend (love Sue!) since her kids were done with them. Well, I looked at them and they seemed a little advanced because they didn’t just concentrate on one syllable like the Bob Books.
.So they sat for a little bit on the shelf. NerdDad picked them up a few weeks ago and said he was going to start taking the 4 year old through them. They are set up with “words to sound” and “words to know” in the front cover. Then it has a little story. There are many books in this set and they build on each other. The copyright date in the ones we have are 1979 and I don’t know if they continued to print them. So you may have to look for a used set but it is totally worth it!
For Today (11/23) from NerdMom’s Daybook
Outside my window it is still a little grey.
I am thinking about the gift and challenge of homeschooling.
I am thankful for the healing we seem to be having from the stomach bug.
From the learning rooms we will be taking it easy. Just Thanksgiving books and fun!
From the kitchen I am planning on making a chocolate pecan pie for Thanksgiving, as per NerdBug’s request.
I am wearing sweats and a tee. How I love comfy clothes!
I am working on a report for my MOPS steering team meeting and some giveaways that are coming.
I am going to my Mother-in-Law’s for Thanksgiving!
I am reading (well hoping to) all the holiday magazines I have: Real Simple and Woman’s Day.
I am hoping to have fun and get bargains at Black Friday!
I am hearing Christmas music.
Around the house I need to disinfect the bathrooms and change all the sheets now that the puking has slowed.
One of my favorite things is the Christmas Season!
Here is picture for thought I am sharing is last year’s tree.
(For more Daybooks go check out The Simple Woman’s Daybook)
Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked Review and Giveaway
Food Network has made a Wii game, Food Network: Cook or be Cooked
First off we love the fact it is rated E for everyone because we love to play with our kids and this is truly appropriate for them all (8, 6, 4, and 2). I love the fact it is educational. The challenges take you step by step through cooking dishes so those who can’t already cook (like my kids) will learn the steps, the timing and the basic procedures. For those of us who can cook it is just a fun game!
Now for the nerd analysis. The graphics are ok. They aren’t cutting edge but you are see everything you need. There are 3 gaming modes: 1 player, hot potato and a competitive mode. Right off let me warn you. The hot potato mode is a cooperative mode but it is truly a hot potato. You ans whomever you play with will have to pass 1 controller back and forth. So this mode wasn’t our favorite. But we did really like the other two modes! NerdDad and I really enjoyed playing against each other! (we don’t spend a lot of time playing alone) The game play itself was good. There were detailed specific tasks to complete and you got points based on how well you did them. Including penalties if you did it wrong (like taking your eggs off too soon) or bonuses for perfectly pouring your oil.
The final verdict was that Food Network: Cook or be Cooked is a big hit here at the NerdFamily! We are going to spend many, many happy hours playing over here!
is a big hit here at the NerdFamily! We are going to spend many, many happy hours playing over here! To enter:
* Just leave a comment telling me either your favorite recipe to make or your favorite Wii game.
* A random winner will be selected and notified on December 4th.
* The winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.
To earn extra entries, you may do one or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra ticket but you must leave a separate comment for each one.
* Subscribe to my feed (if you already do, that counts).
* Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here.
* Subscribe to my Twitter
* Tweet about this!
If you want to see more giveaways pop over to Making Money Keeping Money to see more giveaways on Contesting Monday
( I was given a copy of the game to review and that was the only compensation. Thoughts and opinions are all mine!)