Hello Fresh (pictures included)

We love Hello Fresh. Its very new to us but when you live in a rural area I swear this is the easiest and best way to make healthy dinners. We saw it on TV and I had to have a try at it. Decided that I would show you the meals we got this week also.


So the basis of Hello Fresh is you can get delivered to your house 1-3 meals of FRESH foods to cook with the easy to follow recipes. You can choose out of 6 meals which ones you want. Since we have a big family and also since we live 70 miles from a good Grocery store this is VERY convenient.


I was afraid however how it would work on getting to us. Would the meat go bad? The veggies not do well? Nope, it was all pretty awesome! I wanted to be able to show you the layers that protect your food as it comes in. We have a big family so we order a lot more hence the two boxes. This is the layers as you open it.

Its surrounded by Styrofoam and then in a bag that keeps things cold and fresh

Then you have the containers of food which hold the ingredients you make except the meat or fish. Mind you that they provide EVERYTHING you need for the recipe in the right amounts. Only thing you ever have to have on hand is milk, butter and oil. It gives you all the seasonings also.

Underneath that layer are hard ice packs that hadn't even melted at all. Mind you I got this after the kids school and my son had it in the car for baseball.

Then you have the meats, sausages or fish that you need for your meals.

Like I said we had three meals so this is what it came in as and what the recipe says it should turn out like. Pretty yummy I personally think!! This was the shrimp meal...

and the Sausage meal...

and the Chicken Breast meal.

Its easy enough to cook that even our teens are getting involved in cooking it as you can see Josh here making the shrimp meal.

This is how his meal turned out. I feel he did a great job.

Now if you are interested in Hello Fresh you can check it out online under HelloFresh.com and if you decide to order put in this coupon "AQGNBK" and you will get FORTY DOLLARS off your first meals! Check it out. We cant wait for next weeks box!


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Prom Drama

This weekend was a fun, stressful weekend of prom dress shopping. The great part was it was a Girls out weekend. Just MIL, Cassie and I going to the city to look for prom dresses. There is no where close to us to buy them except in the city which is 2 hours away. Even then because all the girls go there its something that might be kind of hard.

We had a great time! Went after school on Friday to look and booked a hotel room so we didn't have to head back late at night. We went to many stores and tried on dresses. Looking back its kind of funny since the dress I liked and Cassie didn't on the hanger is the one she ended up with. I had her try it on with all the other ones she picked out. That was her number two dress. She still wanted to look the next day incase we found something better.


We treated ourselves and ate out at Red Lobster which I haven't been to in a long time and Cassie couldn't even remember being there. It was soooooooooo good. YUM!

Then we went to the movies that night going to THE BOSS because MIL hadn't seen it and it was funny enough for sure to go a second time. After the movies it was late so we headed back to the hotel only to dream of the dress that might be picked the next day so we could go home even though it was a fun time just us girls.


The next morning we slept in! AHH yes that was so nice! Then back to shopping we would go. We went to another place that had a sale and Cassie found a very lovely dress. She decided on this one but because it was a bit snug under her arms we ordered one to be sent to the house before prom. YES SHOPPING WAS DONE. This was my face by then!

We decided since we saved money that why the heck not lets go to another movie! We got tickets to see THE Jungle Book in 3D. While we were sitting there waiting for the movie to begin and getting our popcorn Cassie got a text saying that one of the girls had already bought the exact same dress. I am thinking too myself how funny, no big deal they will both look beautiful in that. Well that is NOT how teens think of it. The girl was a little upset which Cassie understood. The movie started and I told her to shut off her phone. We watch the movie and it was GREAT but I worried as Cassie was I am sure thinking about the dress situation the whole time.


After the movie MIL was trying to come up with ideas. We finally decided to go back and try the dress that I liked on her the most. She tried it back on and decided on that one. We would just have to take the other dress back once it is shipped to us and get our return on it.

In the end I think Cassie actually ended up looking much better in the dress she got. It suits her and it is stunning. Not to mention on sale haha (hey I am a mom of four I like that).  The weekend was a triumph and we had a great time! No matter what MIL, Cassie and I are doing we end up having a great time but this was a precious time that she will be able to look back on and see her Grandma and Mom really cared.


Cant wait for Prom now. But wait....still have to have a boys weekend and get three tuxes!


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EXCLUSIVE Interview with the TravelKatz Family

I am over the moon excited to be able to have an interview with the Travel

Katz family! I was able to catch up with the mom Rachael and ask her some questions I wanted to know. You know me....I always want to know more than probably I should ha!

First let me tell you about the TravelKatz family if you haven't already heard of them (if you haven't...you should!). Rachael has decided to travel the world with her daughter Alex and two sons Richie and Ethan. You know....do that thing that we always wish and dream and talk about doing but never do. SHE IS DOING IT!!! As a widowed mom I am so impressed with her and her willingness to teach her kids about other countries by actually EXPERIENCING it! AMAZING!


They have a You tube channel that you can follow their daily vlogs and see all their adventures. Its like experiencing the travels right along with them. I think they are fun to watch and have such great personalities.


So, Lets get to the nitty gritty of the things I wanted to know more about. This way you can know more than others do with this EXCLUSIVE interview.


What made you decide to pick up and take off and travel the world?
I have wanted to travel for many years but it was only talk and no action. Finally, I decided that it was time to put my dream into action and make travel a reality. I have wanted to travel for the past five years or so. I just finally made it happen.


Why was Thailand your first choice for a country?
Thailand was my first choice because it is a inexpensive country to travel in and because I knew someone here who I have known since Jr. High School. I had never been out of country and felt safer to know someone on my first out of country experience.


Do you work while traveling?
I make a small fixed income as I have been a widow for almost 7 years. I have been able to stay home with my kids. Survivors benefits is my main souse of monthly income at this time.


How do the kids attend school as I know you have two that are still in school?
The kids do not go to school in every country, although I have considered putting them in school here in Thailand. Since we will be traveling the world, they will mainly do homeschool/worldschooling. If we stay long term in a country, I may consider them attending school to have that experience.


What are you hoping are the best memories for your kids?
I want my kids to have wonderful memories of us as a family experiencing different cultures and foods. It would be great for them to be able to meet friends all over the world on our travels too! I just think this is such a great experience and will give them wonderful memories for years to come!


Did the kids Agree or Disagree at first?
My kids have had different thoughts on my choice in travel. There have been times where they were unsure of travel (mainly my 2 oldest), but I feel it was fear of the unknown. Once we really made the decision to travel, they were all on board and happy to prepare for our journey. I think new experiences can be a little scary for anyone...but the learning lesson for us all is, don't let fear stop you from new experiences. New experiences can only help us grow in life.


You are doing something that most only dream about...What do you have to say to those people?
If you have a dream, don't let fear stop you. Fear of the unknown is a dream killer. Talk about it and make plans...and when the time is right...put that plan into action. I think so many of us miss out on so much because we allow fear to stop us from doing what we really want to do. Sometimes you just have to do it!


What is a day in the TravelKatz family like?
A day in the TravelKatz family is amazing! We get to see things we have never seen and experience things we only saw on tv. Other than that...our days are pretty normal...we just get to wake up on the other side of the world.


Last question...What is something that is funny to you?
People here in Thailand love kids and they will see a foreigner kid and just put their head and talk to them and smile and shower the child with attention. I think its funny and cute. The whole culture is filled with so many interesting things.


This is an amazing family with an amazing adventure! Check them out and subscribe to see all of their videos. Its free to do! Just click this link.... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCSxhYDQQlagCWLr_21MCTw?view_as=public


Thank you so much Rachael for this interview and a peak more into the TravelKatz life!


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Teenagers

When you have four teenagers you have a lot going on in the house. I am happy however that I am a mom of these amazing four. Its funny how the week goes by and all the questions I get asked. Who every said that teens didn't want advice from their mother. I get asked questions all the time. Here are just a few that I can think of that happened in the past couple days.

• Does this outfit look ok? (Boy) My answer: Yes!
• Is my hair ok or should I put more gel in it? (boy) My answer: I think it looks good now don't put anymore because if the wind blows your hair wont move.
• Should I wear glitter eyeliner today? (girl...thank goodness) My answer: Sure if you want but just know I am doing it today too:)
• How should I ask her to prom? (boy) My Answer: First you have to ask her dad for permission which you already know. Then you have to make it memorable for her. Girls like that.
• Should I go with my friends to prom so it will be more fun? (girl) My answer: I think if you are going to have more fun going with a bunch of friends then do that.
• Are you sure my outfit looks ok? (boy) My answer: I specifically remember saying yes already.
• How do you know if someone is telling the truth? (boy) My answer: Parents always know! Even if you think they don't know. We do!
• What should I do for my first date? (boy) My answer: Make sure to open her car door because you are a gentleman. Your dad still opens my door after all these years. Movies are fun but make sure to get a soda or go to eat so you have time to talk. Probably a soda because she will say she isn't hungry.
• Do I look taller today? (boy) My answer: Honestly....yes.
• What is for dinner? (boys and girl) My answer: Not sure its only 11am but I will have it made by dinner time.
• Can we sleep in? (boy) My answer: As long as you get up when we say its time without being cranky.
• What is my curfew? (boy on first date ) My answer: Depends on what you are going to do. What time was the movie again?
• Where is the best place to get flowers? (boy) My answer: At Awesome Blossom as you want to shop local. Online can be hit or miss.
• Are you really sure my hair looks ok? (boy) My answer: YES! Do I look like I was lying to you the last two times you asked me?

I love having these teens. They  make my days complete. I really love when they ask for your opinion AND then do it too. Craziness! I remember being able to talk to my parents too. I like having an open door policy. I cant say that I wont be disappointed sometimes but I like that the kids can come to us and know we love them unconditionally no matter what. Its funny though because most of the stuff they come to us lately for is all the stuff that brings good memories for me when I was a teen. Gotta love it. The dates, Proms, friends, how we are always afraid of how we look, movies, funny teachers that they talk about at dinner, etc etc etc.....  Ahhh the good ol days! Except the only difference I think at this moment is our hair in the 80's WAS bad and DIDNT look good. HA! Cant wait to see what the next week holds on questions and answers.


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Swing Batter!

When you are a parent of four kids and they all like sports its an interesting situation. This year Jackson is in Varsity Baseball and Cassie is in Varsity Softball. I love watching them play ball. Its both their first year in High school for the sport.

The only thing that is hard for us is when they have home games. You would think that was easy right? Wrong! They both play double headers at the SAME TIME. So we find out who is starting first which is usually Cassie and go to her game. Once we done watching her play for at least half the game we drive quickly over to Jacks game and watch him for another half of the last game. Then we continue to watch for the first part of the second game. Once its halfway there we head on back to Cassie game. Are you confused yet? I sure am!

I always feel bad when we miss a great hit or something. I am hoping they just both remember how we were in the stands cheering them on as we eat our sunflower seeds. I think Josh and Jason love home games too because they get out of school an hour early to go watch their siblings play. Cant beat that right?

I am pretty excited to see Jackson play his Senior year. I am glad his friends talked him into it.
He use to play in middle and elementary school but never wanted to play in H.S. Baseball is so much faster than Softball I am always amazed at how he hits or catches the ball.

Cassie I am proud of because this is her first year ever playing Softball and she is doing fantastic! It nice to see a sport she comes home excited about and is excelling in. I cant wait to see her play next year too. They haven't had a softball team for many years and finally have enough girls to play! YEAH!

Who doesn't love watching their kids play. Who doesn't love hotdogs and sunflower seeds. Who doesn't love watching your kids get way tanner than you are. Wait...I don't love that one but they do ha! The home game happened. This season is going by so fast. I am thankful to be able to watch them though. Next year we will have Cassie playing again and Jason too! It will be another great year!


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