my first attempt at digital scrapbooking :)

Cucumber salad...yummo!

2 large cucumbers (cut up)

miracle whip (1/2 c?)

1-2 tsp dill weed

skim milk (1/4 c?)

Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp vinegar

salt & pepper (to taste)

Can you tell I don't really follow a recipe for this one? ;o)

Thanks Mom and Dad for our first cucumbers from your garden!! :)

Kids at play

With four kids, getting out of the house to play is not only great for their health, but also my sanity! :) Here are some pics from the summer!

 at the neighborhood park

 Clara striking a pose!

 Buddies!

 Kyla wanted to take a picture of us :)

 Pool fun in the yard!

 I just love this photo!(they say they are mommy and baby monkey when they do this!)

Clara's happy she can be like the "big kids"

boating with our neighbors! (can't claim that cutie on the right :)

running shoes? check. water? check. buddy?! CHECK!!

I can't blog about health and my love of running without writing about my running buddy, Melissa. Jonathan and I are extremely blessed to live next to some of our very best friends...which we think is quite rare! Shawn and Melissa have become much more than workout buddies; they are dear friends! We've vacationed together, go out to dinner together, and get our families together! I could go on and on about how awesome they are, but I want to touch on how crucial it has been to me to have someone to hold me accountable (and vice versa) to get up to run (at 4:30am!) If you are having a hard time getting on a routine, look at your life, and think about who that might be for you. It could be your next door neighbor like mine, or a co-worker that you could meet up with before or after work, a relative, someone from church or someone else in your neighborhood. I have found that I NEED to do it before my kids are up too. It's a great way to start the day before I put on the "mom hat"...it's MY time that I look forward to every day!! Being active is extremely important, whether it's running, walking or something else you love. We only have one body here on earth!! Grab a buddy, and see how great you feel!!

Melissa and Me in Mexico '09

(doesn't hurt to have a vacation as an extra little motivator!)

Jonathan, Shawn, Me and Melissa... zip-lining in Mexico!!

Shrimp, tortellini and veggies

A family favorite! (quick and easy!)

1. Drizzle olive oil over (cut up) bell peppers and sugar snap peapods,

and 2-3 cloves of garlic (pressed/minced) Broil for about 10-15 min (stir occasionally)

2. saute shrimp with olive oil and a little garlic, salt and pepper

3. cook cheese-filled tortellini as directed

4. mix all together in large bowl

5. sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese

ENJOY!!



Kyla's golden birthday...a little late :)

Kyla's golden birthday was May 7th, but I wanted to have this in the archives :) Can't believe my first born is now 7!! She is truly a gift to us!!



"green thingies and that yummy rice"

this is my new fav! (kinda like risotto texture)

Follow easy box instructions

(you'll need an onion too)

Green beans with mandarin oranges and cashews

easy broiled seasoned chicken:

 (sprinkle onion & garlic powder, cayenne pepper,minced onion, olive oil)

broil, stirring occasionally til chicken is cooked through

 Kid-sized treat

homemade chocolate sauce (choc chips, chocolate soy milk, and bit of butter-heated)

 drizzled over strawberries...

all on top of a kid favorite...graham crackers!

Clara likes it! :)

healthy baby food...she loves!

I'd love to say I make all my baby food....but as a mom of 4...who has time?! She is getting close to being done with baby foods, but I had to share my favorites! These are so great because you can be on the go, and you don't need a spoon or bowl! Addie has loved these too because they have very different tastes combined in one package, (which is great for picky eaters!) They are super easy, totable, and organic!!

a few of Adeline's favorites!

although she may not looked super thrilled...she really does love these!

Happy feeding!! :)

Watermelon...drinkable treat!

3 cups cut up watermelon

1-1/2 tsp. sugar

3 Tbsp. skim milk

ice cubes

Blend together, chill and serve!

(and there's plenty left to have with dinner!) 



bowls and eggs

We are on a hard-boiled egg kick around the Behnken household! My kids think they are so fun to peel...and healthy too!
Did you know?
EGG WHITES: 17 calories, 0 g. fat, 0 mg. cholestrol, 3.5 g. protein
WHOLE EGG: 77 calories, 5 g. fat, 211 mg. cholestrol (your daily value should only be 300 mg!)6.3 g, protein.

ZAK Designs bowls are another favorite with my kids (and I love them too!) They are recycled, light-weight, sturdy, and super fun colors! (you can find them at Bibelot, Amazon.com, or other online stores!)

Healthy skin that smells oh so yummy!

I wish there was a scratch and sniff button, cause you'd be hooked too! I am so in love with this awesome lotion! I could drink it. :) It's 'Origins Ginger hand lotion'...which doesn't sound oh so yummy to me...but trust me, it is!! (I also use 'A perfect World' face moisturizer, and love it too!) They are without parabens, mineral oil, PABA and all those other yucky things!  Just writing about it, I had to go put more on, I love it so much!

The recipient of a cool 'boy' gift!

In a house fulla girls, my boys are definitely a gift! But this is a tangible gift that my son, Ty received from his Auntie Natalie and Uncle Doug. He LOVES his time pretend shaving with Jonathan! And I just think it's so darn cute! Of course we had a talk first about never touching a real razor! At Auntie Dree's expense, we have a her sad, scary story of touching a razor when she was little. (A little scare tactic doesn't hurt every once in a while right?) Note: she is ok...didn't even lose a finger ;)

Found this one on amazon.com if you are looking for a unique boy gift:
http://www.amazon.com/Rub-Dub-Shaving-Tub-Kit/dp/B000NZL1SW/ref=sr_1_20?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1310580222&sr=1-20

The little people that inspire me :)

My Cup Runeth Over

Welcome to my first blog entry! I have always loved to write. This is a way for me to share what I love...and maybe inspire you to show someone else some love! Recipes, craft ideas, photos, health and the people I share this beautiful life with are just a few of the things I look forward to blogging about! It'll be a fun way to challenge myself to be creative in the kitchen, with my kids, and with my families' health! Hope you will join me...and leave some feedback! I'm new at this :) My life is abundant. It might be crazy, but My Cup Runeth Over! (which is what my kids and I say to eachother before bed)