Operation Save the Chicken - a Follow-up

So, a month ago, I discovered a chicken that was wandering around our apartment complex. Upon closer exam, I realized that she was once a pet and would not survive the winter. I needed to do something about that. I immediately started Operation Save the Chicken. You can read about the rest of the story here if you are just now tuning in.

It has been a month since little Bella was rescued and given a new home. I thought it was time to give a follow-up on how she is doing. Mainly because I am SO happy with the decision that was made in rescuing her and the home she went to.

Bella went to a home that already had three hens and they weren't necessarily looking for another egg layer. If she did lay eggs, that would be great. We were fairly certain that she was "dumped" because she was older and past her prime. We figured she didn't earn her keep anymore. We were right, she isn't laying any eggs.

Just like any situation, Bella took a little time getting used to being around the other ladies. They are younger and she felt a little out of place. However, it is amazing what cold weather does to your perception on life. We had a COLD blast of arctic air recently and the gals bonded in the nice cozy chicken coop. She is quite happy with her new girlfriends now.

She is spoiled rotten. Her new owners got them some "scratch" food to have as a treat and she loves interacting with all the family members. She is a little possessive of having a real home right now and keeps very close tabs on the chicken coop. Even with the arctic air, she stays warm with her fellow girlfriends and a heat lamp. She still loves to tell ya tales and will get to live out the rest of her life as a pet who is very loved.

Don't let construction come between you and good food!

Tonight I was given a rare opportunity to join six other blogging ladies here in the KC metro to dine at Renee Kelly's Harvest. It is this BEAUTIFUL diner that is built inside a castle. She has a wine cellar in the basement that holds a party of 30, a main floor, and then an upstairs party area that holds 22. The place is all lit up on the outside with Christmas lights, but it is nothing compared to the inside. You feel like you are walking into a little bed & breakfast almost in the snowcapped mountains of Colorado. I honestly could have sat by the fire and drank hot cocoa and been perfectly happy. However ... what DID transpire is an experience that I want to share with you. This is a restaurant that NEEDS to be on your list to visit ... ESPECIALLY if you have "weird" food allergies and want to trust that the food on your plate is something you can eat!

*note - I was given a complimentary tasting dinner in exchange for this blog post ... ALL opinions are my own!*

Let's first start with this adorable place called Renee Kelly's Harvest.

outside lights

cozy waiting area

decorated steps

        This restaurant is located just past Johnson Dr & Quivera in Shawnee, KS and is within walking distance of Old Shawnee Town. There has been NASTY construction going on at Johnson near 435 & I-35 but it is passable! You can take a bazillion different routes to Kelly's Harvest so if you're like me and abhor I-35 rush hour traffic ... email me! I'll help ya out.

They are open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday for lunch and Wednesday through Saturday for dinner. They only serve brunch on Sundays. What's even better about Renee's is ALL of their food is local! All of the meat comes from KS and MO farmers and then you can visit her Facebook page to see that she purchases produce from other local farmers.

Renee Kelly is just an awesome person as a whole. I met and fell in love with her when she was collecting food donations to help with the Joplin tornado recovery efforts. She is such a beautiful person, but her story behind Renee Kelly's is to die for. I know that I have MANY readers who will just totally GET her.

Renee suffered from migraines for YEARS and extremely bad vertigo. Despite a couple trips to the Mayo Clinic, they couldn't figure out what was triggering them. Finally, she decided to seek help from someone who worked with homeopathic remedies. Her doctor put her on a clean diet and she was 50% better in a process of 2 weeks. TWO WEEKS, y'all. In two months, she was 80% better. Her doctor said the key was to know your food, know the farmers, rotate food with the seasons, and watch your triggers. This life and healthy living has lead to Renee Kelly's Harvest being one of the few places in KC where you can list allergies that no one would think of, and be able to get a dish you can eat.

Well ... enough about the background. Let's get onto the food porn shall we?

We started off with appetizers. We were given a full tasting but I am not going to bombard you with that many photos. I am however going to give you a sampling and then tell you to GO EAT THERE. Seriously.

• Duck wings in Guinness Honey Sauce (note - this sauce is super sticky, finger-licking good)
• Pork Belly with a pear ginger glaze & quinoa (this is to die for comfort food)
• Rabbit Loin wrapped in prosciutto and served with saffron risotto and elderberry syrup (possibly my favorite starter

Next, we were given four salads and two soups to sample.

• Sweet & Simple Salad
• Salt roasted beet with caramelized pumpkin pecan, warm pear vinaigrette, and feta (LOVED this one)
• Apples with candied walnuts, petite greens, St. Rose Cheese, with a balsamic vinaigrette (skipped the cheese ... loved the rest!)
• Micrograin salad with bacon - didn't get a chance to sample that before it was gobbled up .. gotta fight for the bacon.
• Sweet potato & carrot bisque (another hearty comfort food)
• Chicken consomme with duck confit

Next came our main entrees. We were in HEAVEN with this meal.

cause really?!

• Rabbit saddle with white bean ragout braising greens pancetta
• Pork chop with winter squash, golden raisins, and bacon
• Short ribs with parsnip apple puree, roasted and raw and braising greens
• Crispy bass with red rice, kale, saffron cream, and ancho glaze
• Scotch filet  with sweet potato gnocchi, butter braised turnips, petite argula salad, and demi
• Duck breast with quinoa, arugula, poached apple, garnished with beet and huckleberry
• Swiss Chard Dumplings with squash, apple, pecan, and braising greens

So ... let's quickly talk about my favorite entrees.

Short ribs - these literally melt in your mouth. They are braised down with Sarsaparilla and Root Beer giving them a nice sweet taste to go with the greens and parsnip apple puree.

Scotch filet - this filet is basically the meat inside the prime ribs you see at buffets. It is seared hard to lock it into place for serving. It is also the ONLY place you can get a Scotch Filet in the KC Metro! *note - I could have eaten the sweet potato gnocchi all night long.

Finally, we got to the desserts. Holy yum, peeps!

• Homemade Smore's - FAVORITE
• Deconstructed Apple Pie
• Chocolate Cake
• Lemon ???? - will update this after I find if someone else got the name. Can't find the menu for desserts.

The Lemon SOMETHING

Chocolate Cake

Deconstructed Apple Pie

Homemade Smore's

Operation Save the Chicken!

So, my husband will tell you that I am a complete sucker when it comes to creatures. I see abandoned or stray animals and my heart softens. My husband would prefer to simply call animal control and let them do their job. However, I know that their job is to capture animals in any way possible, give them a look over, and then put them in the shelter ... which usually gives the poor creature anywhere from three days to two weeks before execution.

Okay, so it is humanely done ... but still! They didn't ask for their life and they didn't ask to be put to sleep because of it. Enter Operation Save the Chicken.

So ... Monday ... driving to our errands with the kids, I see this thing that doesn't look right in the woods. I snapped a picture and drove a little closer ... sure enough, in our woods we have a wandering chicken!

This chicken appeared to have her wings and tail feathers clipped. I knew she wasn't wild and she didn't move at all when people approached her. She was also super stressed and it was beginning to get cold. This just would NOT do! I talked to a friend who I knew already had a few chickens herself and she was more than willing to take this poor girl.

So .... I told my hubby that if I could get a pet carrier, I was going to catch her and rehome her. His response?

"We don't have a pet carrier."

I love you ... really. LOL I have TONS of friends that I knew had a pet carrier. So I contacted one of them yesterday. AFTER making sure the poor girl was still pecking at the grass and watching cars.

*note - I did talk to neighbors and found out she had been here for at least 3 days and she didn't belong to anyone around here.*

I initiated #OperationSaveTheChicken after taking Monkey to the bus stop. I put out some corn and she went CRAZY.

My friend showed up with her pet taxi and we used love, coaxing, corralling, and a duster with an extender to get the girl out from under the car and into my friend's arms. Once safe inside the pet taxi, we got her into the warm house, gave her some more corn, and got her some water.

She then went to sleep. She was SO happy. Later in the evening, my friend came and got her. She sent me pictures this morning. I was informed she was talking to her new roommates, ate all night long, and was overall very happy.

New roommates

Very happy little girl

My daughter (Peanut) wanted to name her, but I kept telling her that she wasn't ours to name.

So, what about you guys? Do you have a soft spot for poor creatures that have been abandoned or are strays? What measures do you go to in order to get them a safe home where they are happy?

Proactive approach to the holiday bulge

How many are like me and put on between 10 to 15 pounds between November and January? This year WILL be different. I am taking a proactive approach to the holidays and I have to tell you about it. I am not going to lie, I am pretty gosh darn sore, BUT I am determined to fit into a specific Halloween costume next fall. In fact, I am so determined that I am going to purchase it in a couple months and have it stare at me ALL.YEAR.LONG. Why? Because it is NOT cheap and I don't want to feel like I wasted money.


So ... how am I preparing to get my Size 22 body into a Size 16 body in 11 months? It isn't easy. I am actually using a variety of methods.

At Home Workouts

I am using Dance Fit (Zumba) and Blogilates at home to workout. I also have PiYo, Turbo Jam, and Tai Chi videos. For me, it is vital that I find the time to sweat and since I don't like group exercise, I love YouTube and fitness DVDs to help me out. I took a LONG break and am just now getting back into everything and my body is sorely paying for it. I am sure I look like a fool, but my toddlers LOVE to do yoga and pilates with me. It is important to me to show them that I care about my body and take the time to workout ... even if that means telling them they need to give mommy about 45 minutes to herself!

Social Media

Another area that I have really started to get involved with is social media workout accountability. Fort Strong is my current obsession. They had a Strongtober and I found out about it near the end of the month. I am now doing the workout on my own ... however, I AM participating in their current Tough Turkey Challenge. Then, next month, they will be having a Chrismahanustrongzakah challenge.

YMCA

For the first time in a few years, we finally have a YMCA membership again. This is our Christmas present to our family because everyone misses the Y. We have one that is only 10 minutes from our house and the hours are perfect for Jeremy being able to go before work. I will be using the treadmill while I am there because my other goal is to be in a 5K race next year. It is also a time for Jeremy and I to spend a little time together without the kids. Willow will be in the daycare area while the other three are in school.

The Body Lab

This will be a treat to myself. I know that sounds REALLY bizarre ... but let me explain.

This place says Pilates but do NOT let that fool you. This is not your average pilates group workout location ... at all. It is like Pilates on steroids and is worse than crack. I am so freakin' addicted! I was given  the opportunity to sample a class with a few other bloggers and moms in the KC Metro. Our Body Lab opens officially December 1st. If you live in the metro, you really need to check it out. It is in Leawood right behind Trader Joe's. The only other studios are in Arizona, so we feel super blessed to be the start of the Midwest branch.

The workout is done on a machine that is similar to the Pilates Reformer ... only better. It is the Megaformer and is designed by Sebastien Lagree.

This machine helps you mix Pilates, cardio, and strength training into a low impact workout. They are 50 minutes long and The Body Lab offers both group workout, semi-private sessions, and one-on-one sessions. There are only 12 of these in the building ... 11 are used for the class (so that is the max class size) and then one is reserved for one-on-one training. EVERYONE gets 1 free class. Not even joking! The classes are available every day of the week and you can find the class schedule on their website.

My desire is to start with going once a month for a hardcore workout each month. I was feeling the burn for two days after my workout, but I had the shakes for a good 12 hours. It was INTENSE but AWESOME. I slept so great and just felt relaxed. Eventually, I would love to go 2x a month, but I need to work myself up to that.


Megaformer Evolution Promo from The Body Lab on Vimeo.
Before you freakout and think you can't do the workouts ... let me tell you that they have a non-judgemental approach to the class. They modify EVERY workout for your strength level and health needs (including recovering from an injury). You won't realize how out of shape you really are until you do this workout. There were a few workouts that I wasn't able to complete due to where I am at physically but the modifications sure burned the same muscles.

So, there's my game plan to be proactive in preventing the bulge over the holidays ... it is also my jumpstart to a healthy 2015. Feel free to purchase the programs, join me on YouTube, social media, or let's schedule a class together at the Body Lab! I have 100 pounds to lose and I want them GONE before 12/31/15!

It may be Chiefs season now ...

but I can't get over how proud I am of my boys in Blue!

Buy Yours today at http://teespring.com/KC2014ProudFan_copy_1

Fall is the best time of year ... my toddler agrees!

This is one of my favorite times of the year. The leaves changing colors and falling from the trees. The smell of bonfires and crisp mornings. Snuggling with toddlers under fleece blankies and all the cute pajamas that make their appearance. Let's not forget that my birthday is in October ... along with Halloween.

My birthday is not that big of a deal, except that I just LOVE birthdays. I don't feel 35, just like I didn't feel any different when I turned 34 ... or 33 ... or 32 ... However, I LOVE celebrating my birthday. Chloe has developed my love for birthdays and sang to me daily from the beginning of October. I also got to eat free food at IHOP, Noodles & Company, BD's Mongolian BBQ, Godfather's Pizza, and a few other places.

I do have one child that has an absolute LOVE for the outdoors. It doesn't matter if it is cold, rainy, hot ... she wants to be outside whenever possible.

I don't think I have any other child that has shown such desperation to be outside as my little Turtle. She loves everything about it.

Reasons why I LOVE Kansas City

Okay, so it is no surprise that I despise the temperatures in Kansas. I always have. You literally can experience all of the seasons in the same day! If I had my way, I would live where it is 50-70 degrees year round ... like ... San Diego. HOWEVER, there are some HUGE reasons I am hard pressed to leave Kansas City. I will let the pictures give the point across.

Plaza Lights

Power & Light District

Union Station

Fountains

Sports Fans

Temple!

Back to School Bash

Well, the party was designed to be for moms celebrating their kids going back to school. However, I wanted to get a group of friends together who no longer go to school together and have some fun! I am SO glad I decided to change the tactics.

*Disclosure - This party was sponsored by Fruit of the Loom. I was given a party pack through House Party with coupons and decorations, as well as party ideas. I was not expected to blog about the party, nor was I promised money for a good review. All opinions are my own!*

My husband and I were so excited when we found out that Peanut would be starting school right before the first of August. We counted down the days when our routines would be starting again. Shortly after she started, we received the letter we had been waiting for ALL summer ... Monkey had been accepted into the school district's preschool program. They only accept a few three year olds so we kept hoping. The kids going back to school has been the BEST thing for our sleep schedule and sanity.

When our kids go back to school, we go through ALL their clothing (another blog post coming on that) and figure out what we need to purchase. One of my favorite brands for clothing is Fruit of the Looms. No, I am not just saying that because they gave me a party pack. Actually, I asked to host this party BECAUSE of my love for the product. A bonus was the coupons they included in the pack for me to get new underroos for my babies.

Moving on to the party. As a host, I was given a shirt to wear celebrating the joy I feel about my children returning to school!

Fruit of the Loom gave us an AWESOME welcome sign to hang, and it drew attention from many because the letters were on underpants. My kids thought it was downright hilarious. Monkey just said, "They used my school pull-ups too" ... not exactly but she was getting in on the Back to School fun!

In addition to the hanging decorations, we were provided with a very fun game! Pin the Kid on the bus. We used my sleep mask as the blindfold ... which was hilarious on the toddlers' small heads!

However, before we started the game, I decided to let the kids have just a tad bit of fun. We put Pharrell Williams on YouTube and let the kids dance to "Happy."

Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do

The girls really got into it!

Of course, what is a party without cake and punch. Our cake was a homemade marble cake (yellow & chocolate) with homemade buttercream frosting. Our punch was the highly desired Tang. It MIGHT have been the kids favorite part.

So, overall ... I think we had a successful party.

How did you celebrate school re-starting?