MorningStar “Sausage” Lasagna (vegetarian) January 28, 2011
Posted by lisawifemom in Random Thoughts and Observations.Tags: lasagna, Morningstar Farms, Vegetarianism
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I am not a vegetarian (or veggie as I refer to my vegetarian friends), but I do like me some vegetarian meals sometimes. I just tried this new product by MorningStar Farms, and it’s not half bad actually, for a quick frozen meal thing. It has some good flavor, and even a bit of sausage flavor.
For my taste, it had a bit too much bite/spice to it, I don’t like spicy Italian food (I use that term loosely here). I also think it needed a bit more sauce on it, it was little dried out and I didn’t over cook it. Lastly, it either needs to be bigger or put into a smaller container, it looked and felt a little puny, NOTHING like the photo.
Probably will try it again, maybe add a little of my own sauce next time, maybe meat sauce. 
Just kidding.
TARGET – MOMMY’S HAPPY PLACE January 26, 2011
Posted by lisawifemom in It's All About the Twins.Tags: Coffee, happy, mom, shopping, Starbucks, Target
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The other day the kids and I stopped at Target to pick up a prescription. I promised, quick in and out, 5 minutes tops, etc. However, the kids asked, “Mommy, can we get an icee and a cart and just ride around looking at stuff?” Uh, well, uh, “We aren’t going to buy anything,” I reply. “We know, that’s ok, just go around and look at stuff is fine,” they say. So we did, we got popcorn and icees (coffee for me) and just went around the store looking at stuff, talking, etc. Basically hanging out at Target.
Well, I was thrilled, a dream come true! For years I (and some of my friends ) have referred to Target as mommy’s happy place. Especially since Starbucks came to live there, hello, what else could a mother want??? My first outing with my twins by myself was Target. There was no time restraint, no expectations, just me going to walk around and maybe purchase a few essentials. It didn’t matter how long it took me to get there, get out of the car, etc., no pressure. AND I could have a coffee without unloading two infants to just run into a coffee place for coffee. It was cake! So Target became my “place.” Made obvious by the fact that my kids have done it so much over the last 5 years that it has now become a place they can just hang out.
And why not, it has everything, it’s a one-stop shopping location. Where else can you go to get a block of cheese, a book, some cotton balls, and RX, and some socks? Plus you can do this shopping during snack time (did I mention coffee?), keep the kids occupied and not break the bank.
So, as I said, it is mommy’s happy place. Any place that makes this mother’s life a little easier, gets my vote.
My Surgical Experience/Attitude Change January 24, 2011
Posted by lisawifemom in Random Thoughts and Observations.Tags: Gallbladder, Hospital, Insurance, Surgery
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Modern technology has completely changed the face of surgery today. Now a procedure that was a major surgery with a hospital stay and 6 weeks of recovery has become a few hours in the hospital and a much quicker recovery. However, two things have happened in the process: 1) the insurance companies have decided that means never having to pay for someone to stay in the hospital unless they have a large incision or complications, and 2) society has decided that since you came home the same day, it was nothing major and you should be recovered in a few days.
In my experience, and especially this most recent gallbladder surgery, neither of these is always true.
It is true that there is usually not a need to spend the money on hospital stays anymore, we’ve moved beyond that; and recovering at home is usually much more comfortable and easier for most people. However, if you have small children at home and/or no help, a night or two in the hospital should be mandatory. And I think it’s up to the doctor to decide if it’s necessary, not some person behind a desk at the insurance company. What has also happened as a result of this is that insurance companies are ending up paying more with repeat hospital visits due to infections or complications that could have been handled if that person had been hospitalized that first day.
With regard to the recovery time, the major change of late is that there are far fewer major incisions now, with the laparoscopy surgeries and all. However, the incision is the only real change, what they’re doing on the inside is still as major and still requires major recovery time. This assumption that since we’re home in the same day it could not have been a big deal is just not true. With the gallbladder for example, they’re still cutting thru muscle, blowing me up with gas, cutting and clamping a bile duct, removing the gallbladder from the liver, and then pulling the entire organ thru a small hole. That’s major, all the same major stuff just being done thru 4 small incisions instead of one large one. And I was just as guilty, coming home and expecting to be back to normal in 3 or so days. Well, it’s been 6 days and I’m still hurtin’ pretty bad. It’s been frustrating, but had I not bought into the whole day surgery attitude, I probably would have been a lot less frustrated during this recovery, sat back, relaxed, and let it be what it is supposed to be.
Another change that this has brought about is the way we all act when someone we know has surgery. We used to worry more, need to know as soon as they were done if all was well, send flowers and cards, go visit them at the hospital or as soon as they got home, cook and drop off meals, etc. I am just as guilty as the next person, when someone is in and out in a day, of not feeling that old-school need to hover and worry, etc. I check in, see if they’re fine, ask if there’s anything I can do, and then go on with my life. There’s something about a person actually sleeping in the hospital that makes it seem a little grave and more needing of special attention. Again, it’s the same surgery just in a modern setting, and frankly, with all the medical advances, it is less worrisome, and the person probably doesn’t want everyone hovering anyway!
Again, I’m thankful for my mom, I can’t imagine doing a surgery like this without help; it would be tough. And of course, she keeps saying, “I told you so. I told you it would be a major recovery.” I love her! ☺
