Can you use Lactaid just like traditional milk?

We have been a family who uses lactose-free milk for years now, and honestly, we have never looked back. Since Todd and I both have become sensitive to lactose in our later years, the transition was necessary and since you can get all of the same nutrients and good stuff from Lactaid, it's just as good for the whole family as traditional milk. The Lactaid website has a very informative F.A.Q. section that I suggest checking out if you want to learn more.

Since Lactaid is the only milk we carry in our house, we cook with it in all of our recipes and no one would ever know any different. I haven't come across any recipes that taste different or "off" so I don't even need to think twice. Being summertime, we are often making more "fun" foods. For example, we made a small batch of pudding this morning, it called for two cups of milk. We used Lactaid and it tasted just like the pre-packaged pudding cups my kids love so much. This afternoon we are making cupcakes for our 4th of July celebration tomorrow, and if it calls for milk, we will be using Lactaid.

Another fun recipe we tried out was a super simple chocolate shake recipe I found on the Lactaid website.

Celebrity chef and Lactaid spokesperson, Melissa d'Arabian was on the Today Show recently showing us how to make a yummy, creamy dinner that is lactose-free. 

    Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Do you or anyone else in your family have a sensitivity to lactose or are lactose intolerant? What are some of your favorite lactose-free meals or recipes? Please share them below!

I am working on this campaign with Lactaid and The Motherhood. 

I am being compensated for my work. 

All posts are my original work.

I'm Here.....

Well, hi there. Long time no...."chat"?

Yeah well, I think that we should be allowed a month off from blogging, that month being DECEMBER to be exact! Who's with me? How many of you spazzed out and rushed posts and freaked because the month of December nearly steals every single bit of energy you can possibly muster. I just don't think it's fair to end it with the SHE-BANG of the Christmas Celebrations. Because really...I can't be the only one carting cranky kids around to a million relatives houses in order to stuff my car full of toys that clutter up my dining room and living room for weeks and weeks! Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for the loving families we have and the way they spoil the heck out of our kids. But man, I'd love to see Christmas spread out over the course of the year. I vote to have the THREE Christmas celebrations we had spread out over the year...break them down into quarterly celebrations (the fourth quarter can certainly be the one with the birthday's in it).

But, to keep it real here. I must say, I tried to sneak at least a few un-opened toys/games into the closet/basement to pop out later in the year, when they can appreciate them more.

Atleast I did a major purge of toys the few weeks before Christmas, donating them all to our local Goodwill. It makes the organization process so much easier once all the old toys are gone, and there is that week before Christmas when the house is only HALF filled with toys, instead of overflowing.....I really love that week.

Anyhow, here I am....I dug my self out of the toys and rubble of a holiday-ridden house, and am now buried in 6 inches of snow and ice outside my door. But yeah for all these toys/games/DVD's, because atleast it keeps the children busy and entertained, and I can enjoy MY new toy....my Keurig! YAY!

Our Very Own Elf

They are 2 and 4, yet it seems as though these two children of mine have been here for an eternity. I can't remember life without them, and am grateful for their faces (smiling or angry) every single day.

Life with my 2 year old daughter has been a rollercoaster. One moment she is happy and dancing and giggling, and the very next screaming "NO JONAH NO!" and running off to pout and be grumpy. The mood swings are intense, for all of us. I am not saying SHE is the root of the arguments, we all add our own unique tension to the situations.

Christmas is coming and they both know it. I have in the past used the "Santa is watching" technique, but this year is different than years past. Each year the children understand more and more, about life, love, and particularly, one another. They know how to love on one another in a way only a young brother and sister can. They stick up for one another, think about one another, and obviously, know how to push each other's buttons.

In the last few years, I have seen a few Mom's here and there talk about their Elf on the Shelf. At first, I had no idea what it was, until Stephanie started blogging about their elf, Chazz Star. But this year, CBS aired a 30 minute movie called Elf on a Shelf: The Elf's Story and after a single viewing the kids were asking when OUR elf was going to arrive.

The movie laid out the entire idea of the Elf on the Shelf. Where he comes from, how he gets there, how he needs a name before he gets his magic, how he reports back to Santa, and how you cannot touch him, or he will lose his magic. Yes, the book does this well too, in a classic, bedtime story kind of way, but in today's age of visual learning and technology, this made it easier for my little ones to "see". Of course, we can all advocate the importance of imagination, but if it weren't for the movie (it's only 30 minutes, INCLUDING commercial breaks), our Elf, Dazzle McNoodle would never have come to be known as ours.

The Matuska Family Elf ~ Dazzle McNoodle

Taking the family to the 2010 92nd Annual PGA Championship

Being a family that has been hit hard by the financial losses of the economy, I am always on the lookout for fun events and trips I can do with my family that keep us under our budget. Luckily, the PGA has stepped up and given families like ours a way to have fun and not spend a fortune doing so.


I come from a family that golfs. My mother golfs. My father golfs. My step-dad & brother golf. Coincidentally, I also married a man who loves to golf. And recently, this love of golf has been handed down to my 3 year old son. Yeah, you get the picture. I even tried golf once. I actually did fairly well, too. Yet, I don't have much free time these days to pursue hobby's outside the walls of my own home, let alone a hobby that I can't drag the kids along with me to, so my golf game is completely and totally non-existent.


This weekend, my family and I are getting a chance to attend the 2010 92nd Annual PGA Championship that will be taking place at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.  It's not too far of a drive, and we are actually staying in Milwaukee for the weekend. It's going to be great getting a chance to spend some quality one-on-one time with my family, not to mention seeing some of Jonah's favorite golfer's up close and personal. For example Tiger Woods,Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh, and (MY personal favorites) Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald (hoping all of them make the cut of course!).


There are some exciting details regarding this event that I would love to share with you as well.  The PGA has announced, that for the first time ever, FOUR kids under the age of 17 get in FREE with the purchase of just ONE adult ticket! So if you would like to make a fun day event, just think of the money you'd save by bringing the kids along. And with Kohler being such a gorgeous town and the PGA being such a family-friendly event, it really is something all my local Midwestern readers should look in to for this weekend.  Tickets are still available for the Practice days (Today-Wednesday) leading up to the championship, as well as the championship days (Thursday-Sunday).


I got a chance to look over the PGA Spectators Guide, so I will be better equipped with taking my family to an event like this.  I think it's important, as a mother to two young kids, to be well prepared so no surprises occur at the gate or while in the event. By reading it, I learned that I can't take my phone or camera in (no live tweeting, sorry!) and where First Aid Stations are located.  I do wonder how I will be able to keep my kids quiet at the appropriate times, but this is something I am hoping the PGA is prepared to handle and accommodate parents to, since the inclusion of children at these events is becoming more prevalent. I can't wait to let you all know how it goes in my post-event wrap up!


The PGA is even hosted a Twitter chat last Thursday with the head professional of Whistling Straits and the PGA Championship Director, Barry Deach.  You can see a transcript of the chat HERE. Not to mention,  I really love seeing the PGA becoming so Social Media savvy!


Here are a few links for you, so you can learn more about the PGA! You can follow them on Twitter or touch base with them on Facebook, too!

*2010 PGA Championship Tickets: http://bit.ly/PGATickets2010

*2010 PGA Championship Information: http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2010/

*For Accommodations and Information about Blackwolf Run & Whistling Straits: http://www.destinationkohler.com/

*Become a Fan of Blackwolf Run & Whistling Straits on Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/kohlergolf

*Discover the Destination KOHLER resort on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/destinationkohler

*Become a fan of PGA Championship on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/PGA2010

*Follow the PGA on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/2010pga

*Check out the PGA Spectators Guide for all your day-of details: 
http://bit.ly/PGAChampGuide

If you decide to go, have a great time, and if not, watch for me on TV; the Championship will be broadcast, just check your local listing!

disclosure: The PGA gifted me tickets so my family and I could attend the event. This in no way will skew my opinions of the event and what I share with you. As always, I vow to be honest and truthful when bringing products, services, and companies to you. Please feel free to contact me with any questions!

Dinnertime Sun

Saturday around dinnertime, I insisted that the kids, the hubs and i hit the local beach.  And our local beach isn't just any beach, it's Lake Michigan! Lily had actually never been to the beach, adn Jonah probably only once or twice in his whole life. Kinda pathetic, since we live literally 5 minutes from the lakeshore.

I packed up a quick dinner consisting of turkey sandwiches, pretzels, juice boxes, and apples; grabbed a few sandbox toys, and a blanket. We drove the 4.5 minutes to get to the beach, paid our 5 bucks and were heading out the beach when most everyone else was leaving.

We built sand castles

chased seagulls

played in the waves

skipped rocks

posed for photo opp's and pretty pictures

magical timing....

Time is limited lately.

Time to blog. Time for family. Time for friends. Time to clean. Time to organize (thoughts and the house). Time to think.

Time for the kids.

Especially time for the kids.

The economy has not been our friend lately. Neither has stupid mortgage companies or student loan companies. Neither has children's clothing retailers (kids just won't stop growing.....;-)).

I've been working more and more. Todd's been working more and more.

More and more and more.....

More and more time away from the things that really matter.

A long awaited and overdue vacation is soon. And if I can get over the anxiety of it (flying, sleeping, napping, eating, overstimulating, napping, sleeping, flying.....), it will be ever so magical and amazing and wonderful. Many pictures will be taken. Many memories will be made.

Many snuggles and cuddles and giggles.

I. CAN. NOT. WAIT.

Yes, magical. Very magical.

Thanksgiving 2009

Many things have happened since last Thanksgiving, the most prominent is the addition of this little angel.....

What am I thankful for today?



*My husband and my children

*My family

*Friends that are there for me not matter what and love me for me

*The opportunity for my husband and I to both have jobs (although it's been a little scary lately)

*A roof over our heads, food on our tables, and clothes on our backs

*The freedom to freely practice parenting the we believe is right

let them sleep in the middle....

I often am struck with meaningful blog posts while I am at work, and therefore unable to write an actual post, because i am well....working. But I heard this song....for the millionth time over our satellite radio system, and I really listened, and it struck a cord with me and i felt the need to share....

HAZMAT Team.....coming in.

So my house is a disaster area. With feeling as crappy and tired as I have lately, my main concern has been keeping the little guy clean, fed, and dressed. I can sometimes go days without bathing, wearing the same work clothes a few days in a row, and staying in my pj's all day. The laundry has been neglected, the dishes are always piling up, and if I could see more than 6 inches of the floor in our bedroom, I'd be amazed.

Well, I am starting to fight the nastiness lately, trying my darnedest to not let it get me down. So between the nausea and headaches and sometimes, actual vomiting, I am cleaning up. Atleast, the thought has crossed my mind, and I have the complete intent to hit it hard today. Not to mention that my amaing husband stayed up late last night, long after the boy and I were asleep, to do some major cleanup of the downstairs (kitchen, dining room, living room area). And not just a little cleaning which would sometimes involve moving stuff around to "look" cleaner. He actually did a great job, making my life a little easier and lifting a bit of stress too. And if I haven't mentioned it, he has been an amazing help these last couple of weeks with me not feeling well and still having to take care of a 16 month old ball of energy. He comes home from a long day at work, and I go to bed and he takes care of feeding and cleaning and putting the little guy to bed. I am forever grateful. It makes me think of the mama's out there with hubby's that work a lot or those that have no hubbies at all (single mama's, military mama's, widowed mama's, etc.) and I can't even imagine how they would get through times like these without a significant other by there side for help and support. Or what about those that don't have family around or that have families that aren't as supportive as mine? I am so lucky to have such great extended family members, ones that are there whenever i need them. That is the reason we will never move from where we are. I don't ever want to be without family, I don't know how some of you do it! Todd and I have dreams of moving to Maine or even Indianapolis, but I think it will be long after the kids grow up before we will do something like that.

On a different note, we got the boy a toddler bed and redecorated his room this weekend. It's not nearly done, but I have some pretty cool ideas for some art pieces and paintings. I will post some pictures soon so you all can see what we've done.