My Aching Back

You've heard we had a record snowfall in the DC Metro area over the last week and a half. Well all that snow had to be shoveled -- from the front walk, from the driveway, from the pipestem/alley, from the cars, from in front of the elderly neighbor's, from the driveways of neighbors with health issues. We even had to shovel a big moat around our fence so that our dog couldn't step over it. (really, he could step over a 3 foot fence, and he did!)

Wherever it was, we shoveled it.
We tried to keep ahead of the accumulation, shoveling in shifts about every 2 hours. The problem wasn't really the shoveling, although that wasn't fun, it was where to put all the snow. The mounds were big after the first snow. After the 2nd you couldn't scoop and throw it high enough! (Having stilts or being really tall might have helped!) You had to really bend and reach to get it out of the way and on top of a mound/pile.

So all that shoveling, lifting, scooping, throwing, was not great for my back. (And I'm just plain old!)

Add to that the fact that for the last 2 weeks I've been living in either boots or slippers - not the best for foot, leg and back support. (I'm used to Dansko clogs or walking shoes with orthodics).

Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to NO MORE Snow and a trip to the chiropractor and masseuse next week.

veggie snacks

Since we've been snowed in for DAYS, we've been doing A LOT of cooking and baking. Tollhouse cookies, turkey wraps, pancakes, etc.., basically eating a lot to re-energize for all the playing and shoveling we've been doing.

Here is our favorite veggie dish that my kids LOVE. (I don't think they realize they're eating so many veggies!)

Vegetable Salad Bars

1 can crescent rolls
1 pkg. (8oz) cream cheese
1 pkg. DRY ranch dressing
2 rounded tsp sour cream
2 rounded tsp mayo

½ small head cauliflower
½ sm bunch broccoli
2 sm carrots

Shredded Cheddar, Swiss or Monterey cheese

Shred the veggies in a food processor

Unroll the crescent rolls and lay out on the jelly roll pan – pinch together the seams
Bake as suggested
Let cool

Mix together cream cheese, dressing, sour cream and may – you can let this sit overnight.

Cover roll with cream cheese mixture
Pat on shredded vegetables
Sprinkle with cheese
Press firmly

Cover w/ Saran Wrap and refrigerate
Cut into bars and serve.

Will keep for several days.