A whole day with my girl & black coffee

Today was fabulous.  It was 68-70 degrees and I got TONS accomplished.  Mind you, I was hobbling, but TONS accomplished!!

I have also decided to become a hard core coffee drinker.  We have given up creamer.... NOT sugar... but creamer.  Hoping to cut a pound off this year in doing so and I can't say that I miss it!!!  YEAH!!

Anyways, Hubby was off today and our music class was cancelled as our teacher is sick (BOO!) so we slept in.  Daddy made everyone turkey bacon & eggs and mommy got to work cleaning.  I got 3 solid hours in and MAN... windows were open... glass was cleaned and everything sparkled in the sunshine.  HAPPY day.  After my cleaning rampage I decided that I really needed to get out of the house.  I had a TON of errands to run and I had been putting them off because I didn't know the fate of my foot.  D1 wanted to come with me so off we went.  We hit Homegoods, Target, the bank, the grocery, picked up a chair at a friends house, and dropped off something at another friends!  WHEW!  It was amazing weather, how can one complain!  I was a bit uneasy because we didn't get to leave until 1:30.  D1 naps anywhere from 2:30-4.  I knew I was playing with fire but she didn't wake until 9 so I figured I was ok.  I also didn't think my errands would take as long as they did. We blew through nap time like champs.  I made a deal with myself (and hubby) that we would just call an early bedtime tonight.  I think with the time change we've been 'off' anyway.  Bedtime went without a hitch.  Both kids out cold by 8:45pm.  Hoping tomorrow morning will be good.  Weather is supposed to be amazing all WEEK!

Here's a photo of our dinner on the porch.  Hubby fired up the grill and we had a blast!

Tomorrow I hope to get more accomplished outside and get the pond up and running.  CAN. NOT. WAIT!!!  SPRING IS HERE!!! Pics to come!

Good news and OMG Chicken

Hubby and I went to see the Ortho Doc today.  We waited over a hour for our 5 minute appointment but all was great news.  Its not my tendon, nor is it a fracture.  Apparently I have bone spurs on my heels and he thinks one broke off which is causing inflammation (and pain) in my R talus joint.  Should go away with rest, motrin and a splint/boot for 2 weeks.  Bad news was that he couldn't believe how young I was after looking at my X-rays.  He said that I have very "beat up" ankles and they already show significant arthritis.  GREATTTTTT.  My plan at this point is to call an exercise physiologist.  I want them to evaluate my running and to see if I have horrible form, etc.  I also have to give up the vibrams for running.  Doc said that I need support and the barefoot movement is not one for me.  I will also run this past the exercise phys (no pun intended... get it, run it by him????)  HA!  Anyways great news but eye opening information.  He also noted that if I go back to running and this reoccurs... marathoning days are over.  Humph.  One day at a time, right?

This also means that I can drive home to PA this weekend!!  I'm already making plans... got a haircut scheduled for Sat morning... St Patty's festivities Sat night and then some visits Sunday!  WHOO HOOO!!! Can't wait.  I'm only bringing D1 because Hubby is staying home and I don't know if I can handle two kids on my own away from home, not to mention the bum leg.  We will have a fun girls weekend!

Onto FOOD.

I was Pinteresting chicken recipes, as we are really starting to steer clear of anything except Venison and chicken these days.  (Of course I will make Corned Beef around St Patty's!!!) I came across a recipe entitled OMG Chicken.  Looked good and simple so I figured I would give it a try.  I saw it made with mayo (no thanks) or there was a substitution for Sour Cream or Yogurt... YES PLEASE!!!  I estimated the extra calories at 160ish cals divided by 3 breasts (= 53cals) added to the chicken. NOT TOO SHABBY!

1/2C Yogurt (I used 2% Chobani Greek yogurt)
1/4C Parmesan Cheese
bread crumbs
chicken breasts

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

1. Mix Yogurt with Cheese
2. Spray a baking dish with Pam.
3. Place chicken in pan.
4. Cover Chicken with yogurt mixture
5. Sprinkle with bread crumbs

6. Place chicken in oven for 20-30 mins or until Chicken temp is 165degrees

Then I thought I would pair it with a household favorite.... Mushroom Rice.  Just make a couple cups of rice (we use a long grain mix) and then sautee some mushrooms (we used oyster but use shiitake all the time) in a bit of EVOO and salt.  Once mushrooms are browned chop them and add to cooked rice & mix!

Add A to B

The Mushroom rice

The cooked chicken

Dinner is SERVED!

This was the most moist baked chicken I have ever eaten!!!!!  It was REALLY GOOD.  Hubby said "how did you make this??  You CAN make this again!"  SCORE for the home team!!  So easy and REALLY good!

So much to do.. no time for a fracture

Please keep positive thoughts my way.  Calling ortho first thing in the morning to see what the frick is up with my foot.  Since I technically can't do anything worse than what I've done (no.... I didn't run) I was out in the front yard raking out the area we are clearing this spring.  Boot & all.  LOL.  Last year I said that I thought the neighbors thought Hubby was a shithead because I was outside 9 months pregnant doing yard work... if they would have saw me today.. LOL.  Funny.  I just can't get this "relax" thing into my head.  I know.. I know... I may have no choice... but I can't sit around until I KNOW its broke.  I just mentally can't.  Criticize all you want... but I should have an answer soon and I will be a compliant patient. I promise.

Today was 70 degrees.  Hubby got home from work at 6 and we grilled out.  YUM.  D2 ate avocado for the first time and LOVED it... then again, she loves everything we put in front of her (EXCEPT BABY FOOD!)  She whines when we give it to her.... seems as if my baby loves texture!  LOVE HER!!!

PS.... if you like reading my blog please "follow me".... I'd love to know how many people are actually reading!!

-Cheers!

I got the call :(

Yesterday at the doctor's office I was told that no news was good news regarding my X-ray.  I put the boot on immediately after waking up this morning and went about my day.  I was on the phone when another call beeped in.  I didn't recognize the number so I ignored it and finished my call.  They left a voicemail.  As soon as I heard "this is Michelle from Brunswick Family Medicine regarding your Xray" I knew it was trouble.  Of course I called back immediately.  Basically the radiologist said that he could not rule out a non displaced fracture and that I need to follow up with an orthopedist.  Not what I wanted to hear. AT. ALL.

Now I keep going through scenarios.  This is where coming from a medical background SUCKS.  I am a RN.  I have worked in ER's, ICU's and for Medflight.  Hearing "can't rule out" means... YEP YOU ARE FRACTURED to my ears.  Then I think... how can I stay off of my foot?  I have 2 small children.  It also happens to be my right foot which means that I couldn't drive in a cast.  Dear God I am praying that I can stay in this boot.  I went from hating it to LOVING it in about 5 minutes today.  We have a call into the 'suggested' office of my husband so that they will call me Monday morning.  Fingers & toes crossed that they give me the news I want to hear.

The ingredients

I did make a quick crock pot dinner today and D1, D2 and Hubby SCARFED down.  Here it goes:

Black Bean Salsa Chicken

1# of chicken tenderloins
1 can of black beans, drained
1 can of corn, drained
1 15oz jar of salsa (we used mild)

Add everything to crock pot and cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 6 hours.  In last 30 minutes add 8oz of cream cheese.

YUM.  I served this over rice.  It was pretty darn wonderful!

Cooked and ready to eat!

YUMMY!!!

Stuck in a BOOT

So I've been training for this half marathon coming up in May.  I've been clocking the miles and I thought I was doing quite well until last week.  My Right ankle normally "clicks" when I walk down the steps in the morning and has lately been quite painful.  To fix this I take a few motrin and continue with my life.  The last 2 days it hasn't worked.  I did 4 miles on Wednesday and it hasn't been right since.  Any wight bearing causes some severe pain.  I am not one to go to a doctor but this morning I decided it was high time.  I made my appointment and off I went.

The took X-rays and decided it was either tendonitis or a stress fracture.  Treatment is the same.  Stop running, ice, elevation & Motrin.  This also means a boot.  UUGGHH.  I started my half marathon 2 weeks sooner than I HAD to to give myself time to adjust and this injury is putting me back 2 weeks.  With my fingers crossed I may still be able to run in May.... fingers crossed.

  

Warm day outside

Its March 7th.  In Cleveland.  It was 65 degrees today!!  YAHOO!  My husband announced "it is OFFICIALLY spring!"  Thats the real deal then, spoken by the Cleveland boy!  D1 had art class with the MIL & BIL so It was D2 and I today until hubby woke up.  I decided to take advantage of D2's morning nap and I headed outside.  We have 2 dogs, a Rottweiler and a Great Dane mix, thats a TON of poo.  Given that we haven't cleaned it in about 4 months thats REALLY a ton of poo.  I took the girls wagon and threw a trug on it and went to work.  Needless to say, I quickly filled it.  I even got to pick up sticks along the way!  SPRING CLEANING AT ITS FINEST!

Poo central

Hubby met me outside once he got up and dressed and we walked our property and discussed future plans.  We own 8 acres.  Much of it is a ravine and unusable.  He likes the 'natural' (IE WEEDS!) look.  I have been asking him to clear more of the brush to make more usable clean space.  Today he approved!  He left for work at 4 and I was already out there chucking sticks into a pile!  When its nice outside I take full advantage.  Unfortunately that means that my inside projects come to a screeching halt, but that is what rainy days are for... right?

Area next to the driveway.... soon to be cleared out!

Next to the ravine... to be cleared

 I got on the tractor and took down some brush next to the fence.  This is a large area that soon will be grassy.  Yes, more to mow... but more to enjoy!

I mowed a strip next to the fence.. this will all be 'debrushed'

Then I finished my shelves in the garage.  We installed the Rubbermaid Fasttrack in the garage to hang and store things.  I then decided to add a shelving unit next to the door so that things are easily accessible from the house.  We have TONS of shoes and I am always looking for ways to get things off of the floor.  I then found some plant hangar 'S' hooks and found a solution!  WALA!

Boots hung with plant S hooks!

Muffin Mania

Today I woke up and did a 3 mile run in my new Reebok Realflex.  They are comfy OUT OF THE BOX!!  I could barely believe it. I had my vibrams ready to go but they went unneeded. YEAH.  I love my vibrams just need a bit of extra support/cushion when my ankles are screaming when I do back to back days.

My vibrams and my new Reeboks

Then it was off to music class.  D1 is in the stage where she will just REPEAT EVERYTHING.  AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN.  "mommy I like that."  "Mommy, I like that." "MOMMY, I LIKE THAT."  Uggh.  D2 was pretty crabby as well. I was annoyed before we even left the house.  Class went well and on the way home the MIL called and asked if she could have D1 for the day. SURE!  This allowed me to just deal with D2 for Muffin Day.  I dropped her off but was running late.  Speeding home, I got pulled over.  DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  My first speeding ticket in over 5 years.  DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!  Its gonna be a doozy too.  UUGGHHHH.

I finally got home and beat the girls here which made me slightly happy.  I started both ovens to start the baking frenzy and started prepping for lunch.  There are a bunch of us that adore Pinterest.  We have been pinning muffin recipes and just love the sound of them all.  Someone suggested baking some.... so I suggested that they come over and we bake and trade!  One friend's daughter named it "MUFFIN MANIA" and it seems to fit perfectly.

For lunch I made Edamame Rice Bowl.  This is a recipe i use a lot.  It's from Vegetarian Times Magazine.  ITS AMAZING.  I have YET to find someone that doesn't LOVE it.  You wouldn't think the ingredients go together but its DIVINE.  Here's the recipe!

EDAMAME RICE BOWL

4 cup brown rice (cooked)

1- 8oz bag frozen SHELLED edemame
1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

10 pitted kalamata olives sliced

3 TBS chopped Cilantro

1 TBS olive oil

1 TBS lime juice

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1.  Cook rice to package directions.

2.  Bring 2 cups salted water to a boil, add edemame, and cook 2 minutes, or until tender; Drain and set aside

3.  Toss together rice, edemame, cranberries, feta, olives, olive oil, lime joice, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl.  Season with salt and pepper.

Then I made "pizza in a pot"

Pizza in a pot


2 cups Spaghetti Sauce
1 cup Ricotta
1/2 cup diced pepperoni
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 cup Shredded Mozzarella
Torn basil for garnish
Dash of EVOO


Add spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, ricotta and pepperoni in a oven proof bowl.  
Cook at 350 until cooked all the way through
Add Mozzarella, basil and EVOO


Serve with Crostini.

It was now Muffin Mania.  There were 4 adults and a friends 10 year old daughter that helped ALOT.  We all had a blast.  We made:
Pumpkin Donut Muffins (recipe below)
Chocolate Peanut Butter Muffins
Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins
White Chocolate Apricot Muffins
Yogurt, Banana & walnut (my healthy ones!) (recipe below)
and we had Choc Chip Banana muffins

The baking crew!

Assembly

Finished product

Baking!

My Pumpkin Donut Muffins

My assortment

The healthy (140 calories) Yogurt, Banana & Walnut muffins

Everyone brought their own ingredients and muffin pans.  We each baked and then split up our booty.   We cut up each kind and taste tested them all.  We each baked and then split up our booty.  We all went home with an assortment of muffins.  Into the freezer they went!  I suggested that we do this quarterly and I did not hear an objection!  A new tradition has begun!

Here are my recipes:

Pumpkin Donut Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

• 3 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR (SPOONED AND LEVELED), PLUS MORE FOR PAn
• 2 1/2 TEASPOONS BAKING POWDER
• 1/4 TEASPOON BAKING SODA
• 1 TEASPOON COARSE SALT
• 1/2 TEASPOON GROUND NUTMEG
• 1/4 TEASPOON GROUND ALLSPICE
• 1/3 CUP BUTTERMILK
• 1 1/4 CUPS PURE PUMPKIN PURÉE (FROM A 15-OUNCE CAN, NOT THE WHOLE THING!)
• 1 3/4 STICKS UNSALTED BUTTER, ROOM TEMPERATURE
• 3/4 CUP LIGHT BROWN SUGAR
• 2 LARGE EGGS

Glaze: 
• 4 TABLESPOONS UNSALTED BUTTER, MELTED (USE 1 TO 2 TABLESPOONS IF JUST COATING THE TOPS)
• 3/4 CUP GRANULATED SUGAR
• 2 1/2 TEASPOONS CINNAMON

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 12 standard muffin cups.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the pumpkin and buttermilk. Set aside.
4. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar.
5. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping bowl as needed.
6. With the mixer on low, add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with two additions pumpkin mixture, and beat to combine.
7. Spoon 1/3 cup batter into each muffin cup. Bake for 30 minutes.
8. Let muffins cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack.
9. Working with one at a time, remove muffins from pan, brush all over with melted unsalted butter, then toss to coat in sugar mixture. Let muffins cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container, up to 1 day.

Yogurt, Banana & Walnut muffins (146 calories!)

• 1 1/4 C OATMEAL
• 1/2 C Brown RICE FLOUR
• 1/4 C GROUND FLAXSEED
• 1 TSP BAKING POWDER
• 1 TSP BAKING SODA
• 2 EGGS, BEATEN
• 1/4 C PLAIN YOGURT
• 3 MEDIUM, RIPE BANANAS, MASHED
• 1/2 C AGAVE SYRUP
• 1/3 C GRAPESEED OIL
• 1/4 C WALNUT PIECES (I used about double this)

Directions

1.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2.

In a large bowl, whisk together oatmeal, flour, flaxseed, baking powder, and baking soda.

3.

In a separate bowl, combine eggs, yogurt, bananas, syrup, and oil. Add flour mixture and fold in walnuts.

4.

Divide batter into paper-lined muffin cups. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool on a wire rack.