Pepper Scraps » Healthy Family

Take Time with Your Kids: Play Doh Fun

Pepper Ferguson — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:19:41 +0000

Being healthy doesn’t always mean watching what you are eating and exercising, sometimes it is about taking time for yourself or spending time with your family. Taking some time to have fun and just enjoy yourself will help you with stress. Finding healthy ways to relax are important for you to battle overeating and emotional eating. If your mind is wanting you to eat, but you are not hungry find something else enjoyable to do.

Play Together!

One thing that can really help brighten your day is taking time with your kids. Stop and just enjoy them. Here is one fun way to do that. Make something together and play! Zarek and I decided to try making koolaid play dough and it was tons of fun.

What you will need:

1 cup water
1 tablespoon oil
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoons cream of tarter
1 package koolaid

Step 1: Add all your ingredients into a saucepan

Step 2: Place over medium heat and stir till forms a ball

Step 3: Let cool for a few minutes on the counter, then kneed till smooth

Tip: Set up your little one “cleaning” the dishes while you wait

Step 4: Play!

How do you take time with your kids?

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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Family Time: Portland Aquarium

Pepper Ferguson — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:30:00 +0000

I was unsure what to expect when we decided to visit the brand new aquarium that opened up close to us, the Portland Aquarium. I had heard mixed reviews from friends but we decided to go for Zarek’s birthday and see what it was like. After spending a couple hours there we were in love!

I went in not as a blogger but as a mom, but after my experience I wanted to share how awesome it was. At the end of our visit I asked to speak to a manager so I could find out more about the aquarium and answer some questions I had heard other mom’s ask. In the end I got some extra special treatment, but that did not affect my opinion in any way about this great educational, interactive environment.

Small Space Used to its Fullest!

I had heard that the aquarium was small and crowded from many moms on Facebook. I would say it is between the size of the Seaside Aquarium and Oregon Aquarium in Newport. But I was actually impressed how they planned out the space using every corner including the play structure at the end, which the boys loved getting their energy out in. They made up for size with how interactive and educational they made every room!

Most of the rooms had touch tanks, where you could feed and interact with the fish. Staff were available in most of the rooms to answer questions and to share about the different animals with the kids. Even TJ and I learned so much from our visit. Zane can actually tell you a lot about each of the animals. Something we have never gotten from other visits to the aquarium or zoo.

The Staff

I was actually surprised to find out the day we went they were low on staff due to multiple people calling in sick. There was at least one staff member in every room and close by in the hands on areas. The boys and I also got to see the staff doing the food prep for the animals and working in the “hospital area”.

I found out that a lot of the staff members were marine biologists or were currently in school for marine biology. Which made a lot of sense when you interacted with each staff member, they were very knowledgeable about the animals. They also had a passion about the animals, showing how much they cared about each one.

Vets also come in at least three times a week to check up on the animals and care for their needs.

The Animals

The animals were so bright, happy and active. Made me realize just how lethargic and stressed some of the animals I’ve seen in other places are.

I loved seeing the manager talk about how they were aware and concerned for Roxy, the octopus. She was stressed, shown by changing to a white color, though I saw Rosy earlier bright red showing off her happiness. I also enjoyed seeing all their notes behind the scenes talking about each animals schedule, sharing what they were working on for training, and “make sure they get to play”.

Even the food has special attention so it is the best it can be for the animals. Can you believe that the food they feed their animals is sushi grade. So even you could eat it, but that is highly not recommended. The staff even takes special care in preparing it for highest nutrition. Did you know if they thawed it under warm water it would lose some of its nutrients?

Wash Stations & Towels

Oh and if you were wondering the towels to dry your hands are changed out twice a day, every staff member takes a turn at this chore. They use towels because they have found that no matter how hard they try paper towels would end up in the tank. I think if you are really concerned about germs bring in your own little towel or just let your hands air dry between the rooms.

Please make sure and not use hand sanitizer in the aquarium as the chemicals will get into the tanks and can be harmful for the animals.

The wash stations are set up with special soap that will not add any harmful chemicals to the tanks. The aquarium is also trying to get another wash station in the last room. They are working with a plumber to get it in right now.

I personally found not very many people were really using the wash stations or the towels. Your hands will dry fast enough on their own.

More Coming!

I loved how you could see the work being done to build the puffins habitat!

I’m excited to go back when they add the puffin and otter exhibit!

Do you have a local aquarium?

Pepper Ferguson

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Easy Easter Eggs from the Oven

Pepper Ferguson — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:44:04 +0000

My newest fun thing to do with my handy dandy Handi Foil (our sponsor today) muffin tins is to bake eggs in the oven! I’m sure you have seen it on Pinterest a dozen time just like me. But I thought not only could I back the eggs in the Handi Foil tins but I could easily use them to have the boys dye the eggs too!

Cooking Eggs in the Oven

Step 1: Place the eggs into your muffin tin.

Step 2: Place in oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Step 3: Run cold water over eggs to stop the cooking process

It really is just that easy!

Dying your Eggs

This was a little trickier than I thought. You have to remember that you need to leave extra space in the tins for when the water rises when you add. So make sure and keep this in mind when filling your tin. I did 2 tablespoons of water to 2 tablespoons of vinegar in each of the spots in the tin. Then I added the little color tablets.

I just bought one of those dollar dying kits to make things easy for us. You can use food color to create your dye also.

Techniques for Dying

We had a few easy techniques for dying our eggs

Just Roll Them

If you just want your egg to be one color just keep rolling your egg until it is the shade you want.

Dye Once, White Crayon, Dye Again

Choose a color, usually a lighter color is better, and start dying your egg. Pull the egg out, dry it, and then draw things with a white crayon. Now place it into a new color and dye again. Anywhere the crayon you will see the original color.

Half & Half

Place the egg in the dye and do not move! Wait for a bit to let the color set then pull the egg out, flip over and put in a new color.

Quick Clean Up

The one nice thing about doing everything in the Handi Foil tins was the quick and easy clean up. Dump the dye and recycle* the tins and you are done.

*Quick Fact: Aluminum tins are 100% recyclable, reworkable and Handi Foils Eco-Foil line is made out of 100% recycled aluminum because Aluminum is the only material that can be recycled indefinitely without losing its qualities

This post was sponsored by Handi Foil, all opinions are my own.

Pepper Ferguson

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Project 52: Month 1

Pepper Ferguson — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:40:01 +0000

You have seen most of these pictures when I announced that I was going to be bring back Project 52: Self Portraits. But each month I will share my review through the project. So you can see the photos that I have taken.

Ironically last week I found another blogger talking about feeling too fat to have your photo taken. Teresa had the same realization I had in 2011 when I first did this project. People will want photos of me, my children, my husband, my family, my friends. They will not see my weight they will see me, the person they love. Take the time to read So you’re feeling too fat to be photographed . . . and consider getting in front of the camera!

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Pepper Ferguson

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Mini Hot Cocoa Party

Pepper Ferguson — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 19:16:04 +0000

The air outside is chilly – no snow for us yet. I decided I wanted to do something fun for the boys after Zane got off the school bus. Zane is doing half days, so Zarek and I stand outside in the cold waiting for the bus to arrive at 11am.

I pulled out some of my fun muffin tins from Handi Foil and filled it with cocoa, crushed candy canes, cinnamon candies, and marshmallows. Some other things you could include in your pan could be sprinkles, nuts, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, caramels or anything else you may have in your pantry that might taste yummy in cocoa.

Ironically as Zane came charging off the bus he asked if he could have a playdate with our neighbor boy. I couldn’t say no, because I know he absolutely loves visiting his friends. So instead I grabbed the muffin tin and sent it over with the boys to all enjoy together at the playdate.

So if you are looking for something fun to do with your kids, maybe your friends, to send on a playdate, or just send to your neighbors make a mini cocoa party and enjoy. And if you use a Handi Foil you don’t have to worry about getting it back home or cleaning up a mess.

This post was sponsored by Handi Foil, all opinions are my own.

Pepper Ferguson

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#64ozchallenge – 64 oz of water everyday for 30 days

Pepper Ferguson — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:56:02 +0000

One of the best ways to build a habit is to do it for 30 days straight. Last year in July Pepper Scraps readers took on the 64 ounces 30 day Challenge.

What is the 30 Day Water Challenge?

The challenge is to drink 64 ounces every day for 30 days straight. The challenge will start on January 28th!

What if I Don’t Get My 64 Ounces One Day?

Just keep going missing out on a couple glasses one day does not mean you are not still working at building your habit. Just start again the next day.

What others have said about the #64ozchallenge?

I hope this 64 oz is more of a habit now. I feel that I should even increase it. But then I’d live in the bathroom lol I feel great. This is the 1st time I’ve stuck to a h2o challenge this long. – @Chasing_Joy

[W]ith the heat, it has not only been healthy, but life saving. My allergies are a lot better too! – @dishwaterdreams

Let’s Encourage Each Other!

Use Twitter:

Check in throughout your day using the hash tag #64ozchallenge
Tweet your progress during the day
Help encourage each other
I will be tweeting random check ins so make sure and follow me (@unicornbeauty)!

Use Pepper Scraps Facebook Page:

Find fun water facts each day
Have a daily check ins
Encouraging quotes and photos
Reminders throughout the day

Please Share the Challenge with Others

Feel free and download the banner above. Or use the button below and link it back to this page! The more who join the more fun it will be. Invite your friends so they can help you stay accountable!

Free Printable Tracking Sheet

If you would like a nice tracking sheet I created this PDF for you to print!

Water Challenge Printable

So Are You Ready for the Challenge?

Quickly sign up with the official sign up!

Pepper Ferguson

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Pepper Scraps: Review of 2012

Pepper Ferguson — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:41:25 +0000

It’s the last day of 2012 which was an amazing year for me and for Pepper Scraps. This year was about learning more about losing weight, maintaining that weight loss, and just building a healthier life for me and my family. Even though I did not make my weight loss goal for this year I am still proud of everything I did. And even more I love the way that Pepper Scraps has changed and grown with me.

I hope that you too have enjoyed this year with me and Pepper Scraps and that you are as excited for 2013 as I am! Today is a look back at 2012 but tomorrow we will be looking forward to 2013 I hope you will join me!

Here the top posts and recipes from 2012 on Pepper Scraps just in case you have missed any!

Top 2012 Recipes:

Enchilada Chicken (Crock Pot)

Healthy Baked Macaroni & Cheese Bites

Healthy Savory Broccoli Salad

Mexican Meatloaf

Mini Monster Eye Meat Loaves

Pepper Ferguson

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#Mamavation Monday: Getting Ready for a #GetUnreal Halloween

Pepper Ferguson — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 21:01:57 +0000

This morning I sat down and started packaging up my candy for Halloween. I received 3 bags of small unreal candy bars and over a dozen full sized candy bars from unreal to be able to hand out this year for Halloween!

#GetUnreal

I’ve talked about Unreal Candy in the past but if you missed learning about this awesome product here are the quick awesome points on this candy:

No Artificial Ingredients
No Artificial Colors
No Preservatives
No Hydrogenated Oils
No Corn Syrup
Lower Calories
Higher in Fiber & Protein

Letting Parents Know

I love that I get to hand out this candy for Halloween, I shared 10 Fun Halloween Treat Alternatives last week. But let’s face it Halloween is about candy, so I’m excited that I get to share a candy with my neighborhood kids that is tasty and better for them.

But I wanted to share about the candy too. The kids will get home and they will dump their candy out, but I wanted to share with parents what was different about Unreal Candy. I created a little printable sharing the basics on the candy and where they can buy it!

Are you Getting Unreal this Halloween?

I wanted to share this printable with you in case you wanted to let parents know what’s so awesome about Unreal Candy. Feel free and print cut and attatch. Note: I stapled my strips, but I made sure to staple into the seal of the package as to make sure and not break the seal.

Get Unreal

This post is sponsored by Unreal Candy, I was surprised by them shipping me a box to my door to help share with my neighborhood. All opinions are my own!

Don’t box me in.

Pepper Ferguson

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10 Fun Halloween Candy Alternatives

Pepper Ferguson — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 21:00:27 +0000

I’m not anti candy for my kids but I try not to over sugar them. This year I’m looking at alternatives for candy to hand out. I want to make sure the kids enjoy what we are handing out. I want to make sure they are fun and they will like it just as much as candy.

I also want to stay within our candy budget. I usually buy about 2-3 bags of candy for Halloween which can be about $10 to $15. I tried to find candy alternatives that were about the same price. The one that does break the budget is play doh, but play doh is so much fun!