A Little This A Little That

Since Lindsey has been born there has not been one stage I have been anxious to get through. I didnt mind being up every three hours nursing, I didnt mind her having days and nights confused and I loved her starting to talk. I never pushed her to crawl, walk, roll, sleep through the night, etc. However, I am SO OVER this teething nonsense. AH! It hits like a tidal wave and suddenly shes up all night and doesnt want to eat.

I posted all about how I survive teething here but I have to say, I have stopped using the Hylands teething tablets after seeing them being recalled for causing seizures. Scary! We have been up all night for the past 4 nights, and lets just say this momma is tired! I am soo thankful for my family. My mom has been really great and getting up with her in the wee hours so I can get in a quick 2 hours and my grandma has been watching her in the afternoon so I can take a cat nap. I dont know what I would do without them especially since I am in summer school.

She is super precious though and I wouldnt trade her for anything. Even a full 6 hours of sleep.

In other news: our family bought a new Toyota Rav 4!! Yay us!! We traded in my moms truck for this baby. Itll be so great when we get to NC and have to drive in snow.

I have been wanting a quick an delicious lunch and egg salad has been first on my mind. This version has no mayonnaise and I skipped the bread and used pretzel chips instead. Delish and healthy and completely Dukan!

Healthy Egg Salad

Serves 4

- 8 hardboiled eggs 

- 3 TBSP plain non fat greek yogurt

- 1 TBSP spicy brown mustard

- Salt and pepper

- dash of paprika

I throw the eggs in a pot and cover with water. I then add a dash of salt, this will tell me if there are any bad eggs because they will float to the top. Then I stick them on the stove and crank the heat to high. I set the timer for 20 minutes and leave them alone. Once they are done, I run them under cold water and stick them in the fridge to cool. Once cooled, I peel them all, slice them in half and place them in a large bowl. I add the yogurt, mustard and spices and adjust accordingly. Remember, you can always add more but cannot take out! Then I dig in with a handful of pretzel chips! Yuuummm :)

I leave you with this thought: You will never know what God can do in your life unless you give him the chance to lead it.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" Matthew 5:3

Lets get light

Heres a piece of exciting news: Our family will be moving to North Carolina this August! Woohoo! My brother was accepted into a music conservatory and I will be reentering the University world after attending community college for far too long. The choices were between New York, Indiana, Michigan and Detroit. After many prayers and waiting we decided North Carolina would be the best choice over all for everyone in the family. We are so excited to start this new chapter of our lives!

Isn't that gorgeous!! Ah I can hardly wait! 

Anyway back to what we all love: FOOD!

I love making one day out of the week completely meatless. Usually its monday because the weekends are generally splurge city. My step dad was traveling and my brother was housesitting so this meal was perfect for just me and my mom. Especially since they would have hated that I replaced the meat with a mushroom. But take heart you meat eaters! You will NOT miss the meat! The portobello mushroom gives the perfect amount of meatyness (I make up words as I go) without the fat and grease that accompanies a real burger. The pesto and roasted red pepper add perfect touches of smoky and fresh taste. Oh and the side? TO DIE FOR! I have never had savory roasted sweet potatoes but my oh my I may never go back! The sweet potatoes are fresh and slightly sweet that the rosemary and garlic roast together in perfect harmony. I beg you to try this dish! Your taste buds will be dancing a happy dance :)

Portobello Burgers with Pesto and Roasted Red Peppers

Serves 4

- 4 portobello caps with the brown scales inside cleaned out and the caps cleaned with a damp paper towel
- 2 roasted red peppers cut in half (I just use a jar from Trader Joes)
- Jar of premade basil pesto
- 4 whole wheat buns
- sea salt and pepper
- olive oil

Heat a grill pan to high. Give your mushroom caps a nice rub down with olive oil and sea salt. Once your grill is hot add the caps. Then DO NOT TOUCH! They will take about 4 minutes a side depending on the size. Trust me when I say they will let you know when they are ready. They will release when ready to flip so don't try and pull them off. You will be sad. Heat your buns anyway you like. I put them in the oven at 400 for a few minutes to get them lightly toasted. Now assemble! Bun, mushroom, red pepper, basil pesto on top bun. THATS ALL! Healthy can be fast I promise :)

Savory Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Rosemary, Garlic and Parmesan Cheese

Serves 4
- 3 Large sweet potatoes peeled and diced about an inch thick
- 2 TBSP dried rosemary
- 2 TBSP dried garlic powder
- sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper

Preheat your oven to 400. Prep your potatoes and throw in a gallon freezer bag. This will make sure all the spices and oil are evenly distributed. Easiest way I swear! Add oil and spices and give a good shake. Spread evenly on a baking sheet. Now this is when I go in and add a little more of all the spices just to make sure all the potatoes are seasoned. Bake for 30-40 min. I like mine a bit crunchy so I leave them in for a little longer. You just want them to be fork tender. About the last 5 minutes or so give them a nice sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Scrumptious!

Couch Potato's Guide to Exercise

Some days I just dont feel like going to the gym. At all. Somedays I would rather lounge around in pajamas and eat bon bons while watching soap operas. Might as well live up to that stereotype while I have the chance. But then I realize how far I have come on this weight loss journey, ahem -60 pounds, and how I dont want to give up now.

I found this really great and easy way to incorporate working out while watching your favorite shows a the same time! Its like a drinking game but healthier.

8 Fun TV Show Workout Routines
via All Women Stalk

1. Pretty Little Liars

Theme song: Do high knees until it's over

When someone gets a text from A: 20 sit-ups

When someone says Ally's murder: 10 jumping jacks

When Garret is mentioned: 5 burpees

When anyone uses their cellphone: 5 squats

When Hanna shops: Do a plank until she's done shopping

When someone gets kissed: 10 lunges per leg

When someone cries: 10 squats

When someone tells a lie: 10 reverse crunches

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials

2. New Girl 

Theme song: Do Russian twists until it's over (if short theme, do 10 jumping jacks after)

Every time Jess sings: 10 sit-ups

When something in the apartment breaks: 20 jumping jacks

Whenever Nick and Jess have a moment: 15 squats

Every time Nick fights with Jess: 50 punches

Every time Schmidt says something hilarious: 15 lunges per leg

Every time Schmidt mentions Cece: 10 push ups

Every time Cece visits the loft: 10 burpees

Every time you see the locker room bathroom: 30 second side plank per side

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials

3. The Walking Dead

Theme song: Plank until it's over

Every time you see a walker: 5 squats

Every time someone kills a walker: 5 crunches

Every time someone dies: 30 jumping jacks

Every time someone screams: 10 lunges per leg

Every time someone cries:10 reverse crunches

Every time some draws a weapon: 5 push ups

Someone refers to the living: 5 burpees

Every time Rick talks on the walkie talkie: 20 bicycles

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials

4. Friends 

Theme song: Do jumping jacks until it's over

Every time Chandler makes a joke: 20 crunches

Every time Joey does something stupid: 25 squats

Every time someone goes on a date: 10 push ups

Every time Phoebe sings: 1 minute wall sit

When everyone is at Central Perk: 10 burpees

If Monica cleans or cooks: 10 lunges per leg

Ross says anything geeky: 20 mountain climbers

Rachel talks about fashion or money: 1 minute plank

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials

5. Doctor Who

Theme song: Jump rope until it's over

Every time some says Doctor: 10 jumping jacks

Every time the Doctor says run: 15 squats

Every time someone gets in or out of the Tardis: 20 crunches

Every time you hear the Tardis: 1 minute bicycle

Anyone says their catch phrase: 10 leg lifts

Every time the Doctor sonic's something: 15 Russian twists

Every time the Doctor gets angry: 45 second wall sit

Every time they gain a new companion: 10 burpees

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials

6. Glee

Theme song: Run in place until it's over

Anytime anyone breaks out in song: 15 jumping jacks

Every time Rachel sings: 20 squats

Every time Sue gives someone advice: 5 tricep dips

Every time Rachel doesn't get her way: 10 push ups

Every time Kurt is bullied: 10 leg lifts per leg

Every time a same sex couple has a moment: 1 minute plank

Every time someone kisses: 10 burpees

Every time Finn dances: 20 crunches

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials

7. How I Met Your Mother

Theme song: Plank until it's over

Every time Barney says legendary: 10 crunches

Anytime anyone high fives someone: 10 push ups

Every time you hear Ted's narrating: 5 burpees

Every time Barney hits on a girl: 15 jumping jacks

Every time Marshall and Lily kiss: 10 squats

Reference to Canada: 30 sit ups

Every time Robin talks about her job: 10 lunges per leg

When anyone drinks a beer: 10 bicycles

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials

8. The Big Bang Theory

Theme song: Do jumping jacks until it's over

Penny says sweetie: 5 push ups

Every time Sheldon knocks on a door: 20 crunches

Every time Sheldon recites a fact: 30 jump ropes

Every time take out food is shown: 20 leg lifts per leg

Every time Raj whispers: 5 burpees

Anytime Amy makes someone uncomfortable: 5 Russian twists

Anytime someone walks upstairs: 25 knee highs

Bazinga: 1 minute wall sit

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials 

I know I watch both Friends and Big Bang every time they are on. Thats a lot of exercise that can be snuck in to your day! These are meant to be fun and easy ways to get in some exercise without leaving the house. I know I am all for that :)

Homemade Granola

I have just recently rediscovered my love for yogurt. I used to eat it daily but I got tired of it and took a little break. But now I have added it back to my breakfast menu and added a little oomph to it. My favorite way to eat it is greek yogurt, berries, granola and a drizzle of honey.

I was buying prepackaged granola in the store for a while until I got the idea to just make it at home. In the store its pretty over priced for the amount you get. When you make it at home, you can make much more for a fraction of the cost. 

A bowl full of happiness first thing in the morning :)

Homemade Granola

3 cups rolled oats (not instant)

3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup coarsely chopped raw or toasted nuts or seeds

Preheat the oven to 300 and make sure a rack is in the middle. Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and combine well. Mix the wet ingredients in another bowl and once mixed well combine with the dry ingredients. Make sure all the dry ingredients are coated then spread in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Take out and stir then place back in for another 5-10 min until the oats look nice and golden. Itll seem soft when you take it out but no worries, it hardens as it cools. Make sure to stir it every once and a while during the cool down.

Toasted almonds

Place almonds on a baking sheet at 350 and bake for about 10 minutes. You will be able to smell them. Take them out and let cool. Combine with granola and keep in an airtight container.

You can add anything your heart desires to this granola once it is cooled. Dried fruit, coconut, nuts, chocolate chips. Anything! I like to keep it simple and add what I want when I eat it.

Making Your Own Baby Food

I am very blessed to be able to stay home with Lindsey. It is something I never take for granted. Since I am home, I try and use my time wisely and really enjoy making her baby food. I take comfort in knowing exactly what she is eating. Now that she is eating more "adult" food, I would rather make it than buy it. Not to say the jars aren't healthy! They are and I still use them for travel and going out but when we are home she normally eats what I make. I also make her food just about as flavorful as ours is. I do watch the amount of heat but I know I don't like bland food so why would she? :)

Pumpkin & Carrot 
1 15 oz can of pumpkin puree
1/2 cup carrot puree (2 jars of baby food carrot)
1 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbls vanilla yogurt

Mix it all together. When I serve it to Lindsey, I find I need to add a little water to thin it out. I keep half in the fridge and freeze the other half.

Butternut Squash Applesauce

Recipe adapted from here

3lbs gala apples, peeled, cored and diced

2 lbs butternut squash peeled, seeded and diced

1/4 cup water

1 tsp cinnamon

Throw all ingredients in your slow cooker on high for 4-5 hours and low for 8. Once the ingredients are nice and soft, I used my hand mixer to puree. This also makes a large amount and I froze a good portion. 

When making veggies or fruit I just throw the amount desired in a pot of boiling water until tender and soft. Then I puree it in my baby bullet. A food processor or blender would work just as well. Add as much water that you boiled the veg/fruit in to the consistency your little one prefers. There are so many benefits to making your won baby food. It is money conscious, health conscious and you can control how much you make. I always make a large amount to cook all in one day and store in the freezer. That way I have enough to last me until the next big cooking day.