Mason Fruit Jars

Ever since I have had Charlotte, I have needed MORE time. All of my time is spent smooching/hugging/smelling and cuddling. But when January came around it was time for me to go back to school... I dreaded leaving my baby. I am fortunate enough to have my mom, Charlotte's Mimi keep her during the week, which takes away ALL anxiety, but I still hated leaving her.

With going back to school comes the dreaded packing lunch/remembering to take lunch/20 minutes to scarf a lunch/remember to bring back your lunch kit- routine. I needed something easier, that would take LESS time. That is when I came up with my Mason Jar Idea.... well... Pinterest beaconed to me the Mason Jar idea... I just modified it to fit my family.

So I went to the grocery store one Sunday, bought some jars and some veggies. I started out with the One Quart Jars, added EVERY color of vegetable I could find, and layered it super pretty inside the jars. I used Spinach, baby carrots, yellow bell pepper, red bell pepper, grape tomatoes, sugar snap peas, broccoli, zucchini, squash, banana peppers, and I also added a boiled egg, cubed cheese, almonds and sunflower seeds. It seriously looked like the produce department exploded inside a jar... very prettily of course : ) I made 5 of these. (One for every school day lunch) Then in the mornings I would just grab a jar, squirt a little dressing in, close the lid and off I go!

This was for the most part a success. I would recommend anyone who LOVES veggies and fresh lunches to consider it. The only downside was Sunday prep took a bit of time. I had to wash, dry and create the jars. It was a lot of work for just 5 jars. (My husband will not eat most salad veggies) The upside, I did not have to make a lunch AT ALL the rest of the week, I had a FRESH lunch that I looked forward to, and all of the veggies stayed crisp in the jar in the fridge (I was worried about Friday's salad) I kept up this salad jar lunch for a month.... then I decided Progresso soup was just as fast : )

However, I am currently obsessed with our Breakfast Fruit mason Jars.... this one my husband loves, and is a TON easier to create. I bought the smaller mason jars, and layered grapes, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries and chocolate chips. I make about 10 of these on Sunday afternoon, and they stay fresh in my fridge all week : )

I LOVE these jars.... I love them so much that I am continuing to make them throughout the summer, even though I am home to have breakfast. In the mornings before school I would open one up, put a couple of spoonfuls of vanilla yogurt on top, close up the lid and throw it in my purse. I would usually eat mine around 9:30... right at the start of my 2nd block.

I felt so fancy eating my "yogurt parfait" while walking around checking homework/going over a warm up. My students even became interested (as students do ) with what I was eating. Before I knew it I had parent notes coming back in folders, thanking me for getting their children to eat FRUIT at school : )

Also, I love the way these jars make my fridge look.... Because they are in the mason jars I can see all of the fruit, and colors. ( I kinda feel like a Martha Stewart in training)

Oh... Best part?? Without the yogurt, these fruit cups are ZERO weight watchers points.... with the yogurt.... 2 points...!!!!!

Emily and Charlotte

Nap Blogger

Now that everything in my life is so different, maybe it is time to start blogging again : )

Charlotte, who is now almost 8 months old takes a couple of naps during the day. (One like an hour after she wakes up.... I'm not even going to call that a nap.... naps don't happen at 8 in the morning)

What do I do with my time when she is finally resting? Usually I clean, or "Pinterest" Now maybe I can be a "Nap blogger" haha.. I like the sound of that. Definitely sounds more fun than sweeping the floor... AGAIN : )

I will have to learn how to use this blog site again... it has been so long since I have been on here, that I think I might have forgotten! ) I'll have to ask Erica : )

It is summertime now, and I am enjoying every single minute of being home with our baby girl. Everyday I see something that she has learned. I can just see her soaking everything in. She has started sleeping in her own crib. YAY! This was much harder on me than it was on her. She has become very familiar with our routine, and it has actually created a couple of hours at night for some down time! (Currently Jordan and I are spending them watching all of the seasons of 24... while scarfing skinny cow ice-cream)

I am starting to plan Charlotte's first birthday party... Judge me for being Type-A if you want, but Nap-Time-Pinteresting has led me to dream about her first party already. I am so looking forward to all of the crafty-ness that it will lead to!

Again, my Type-A personality has come out and I have started thinking about first week of school already. CRAZY i know. I can't help it. It is a sickness I think : ) But I have found some really great ideas for the first week of school that I can share. (Once I start practicing again on how to upload pictures/links/ whatnot)


Emily