Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work I go.....

With lunch in my hand, heels on my feet, and a dress to complete the outfit, I stepped out of my house at 8:30am on Monday morning to drive, by myself, to work for the first time in 2 1/2 years. My kids were baffled, my hubby was ecstatic, and I was somewhere in between. Now, working part time is the best gig a stay-at-home mom can ask for. I work 3 days a week and the rest of the time I am with my kids and taking care of the regular mundane chores of being the leader of the household. This is in stark contrast of when I went back to work 6 weeks after my boys were born and I was there full time. That was a lot more stressful for me. Plus, in this job, I am privileged to assist breastfeeding moms all day long and help them to become more confident and empowered women....

I think this part time gig is going to work out just fine:)

Here is my Top Five List of Ways to make Returning to Work Easier

5. Plan your dinners by the week and use that crock pot like it is going out of style. Plus, leftovers are great to bring for lunch the next day.
4. Don't get dressed until right before you are going to leave for work....nothing is worse than saying 'good morning' to you boss, covered in your child's breakfast.
3. Go to sleep on the early side, especially if your kids have a tendency to wake you up in the middle of the night. Mine are 4 and 3, but they still wake up pretty regularly throughout the night, which really throws off my mojo in the morning.
2. If you love coffee or tea in the morning, invest in a really good travel mug....you will be able to enjoy your drink in peace and quiet on the way to work, which is more than I can say for the days when I am at home.
1. Try to leave all of your work stress at work so that you can be present when you are with your kids. They are going to be so happy to be around you when you are together, so cherish and enjoy those moments!

Crock pot recipe #2

My friend, Jess, is a wonderful cook. She is also a mother of two toddlers, which means that she is always finding ways to put her crock pot to use....just makes life easier. Here is her recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup for the crock pot. It is so delicious, incredibly easy, and stores beautifully in the freezer (if you happen to have leftovers.)

Enjoy!

Jess's Chicken Tortilla Soup

4 chicken breast halves
2 15-oz cans black beans, undrained
2 15-oz cans stewed tomatoes
1 cup salsa
4-oz can chopped green chilies
14- oz can tomato sauce

1. Combine all ingredients in slow cover

ADD:
1 clove garlic
1 can chicken broth
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
1-3 tsp. chili powder
salt & pepper to taste

1. Combine all ingredients in slow cover.
2. Cover. Cook on low for 8 hours.
3. Just before serving, remove chicken and shred into pieces, stir into soup.

To serve-
I slice fresh avocado and place on top along with shredded Mexican cheese and tortillas chips.

Crock pot recipe #1

Now that it is getting cooler out, and the 'Summer of Bar BQ' is over, I feel the need to cook hot dinners for the family. But, with two boys running around the house, and often needing a referee, who has the time to cook a big, healthy meal? Well, that's where the crock pot comes in....what an amazing invention. I think all new moms should receive one as a baby shower gift. So, to make life easier for all of the moms out there who are in the same predicament as I am, I have decided to include some tried-and-true crock pot recipes on The Sanity Spot. Your kids will thank you... your husband/partner will thank you...and everything can be done in the morning while the little ones are napping or at school:)

Enjoy!

The first recipe is from my friend, Pam

Beef Brisket and Couscous

3.5 - 4lb beef brisket (cut in half to fit in the crock pot)
1 can beer (she used a bottle of Pacifico)
2 cups tomato sauce
2 tsp prepared mustard
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground allspice
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 small green or red bell pepper chopped
1 medium onion chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Couscous (follow directions on box)

1. put brisket in slow cooker
2. combine remaining ingredients and pour over meat
3. cover and cook on low 8-10 hrs
4. remove meat and slice thin
5. serve on rolls or over couscous