Overextended & Yonanas

My new Crimson Queen Japanese Maple

Some natives, Columbine, sedums, lemon thyme, vinka & Dianthus

The last few days have been A MESS.  I overextend myself and over estimate my abilities frequently.  Unfortunately this week was pretty bad.  Tuesday I had music class in the morning and then had some of the mom's club over for a meeting.  I cooked/prepped all day and was spent by 10pm.  Wednesday was pretty much the peak.  We had a meeting downtown with our financial advisor a 2:45.  I ran 2 miles in the morning and rushed out of the shower and out the door by 2:25 which made us 10 mins late.  Our meeting went over so we hit rush hour traffic coming home.  I had to take my MIL home, pick up a trailer, pick up our patio furniture and get to a Mother's Club meeting by 7:30.  Sounded doable in my head.  In reality I was crazy.  I went to get the trailer and realized that  left the ball/hitch at home.  Home I went.  20 mins wasted.  The furniture wasn't 100% ready which took time.  Then I got to the meeting a bit after 8.  REAL good considering that I was voted in as president for next year.  Yep. Just great.  Thursday we had to drive out to Perry Ohio to hit a wholesale nursery.  I considered it a quick trip.  Not so much.  The place was so huge, our saleswoman had to drive us around in struck to collect the plants I requested.  We had dentist appointments planned which I cancelled.  FML.

All this when I am only getting about 5 hours sleep because D2 enjoys getting up at 6am ready to party.

Today I decided that we were doing NOTHING except for school.  I took D1 for her 11:15-12:45 mommy & me preschool class.  It was fun.  daddy left for work at 4pm and  we relaxed into the evening.  I did make an easy and yummy Skinny Chicken Alfredo.  I misread the ingredients and used raw broccoli and it tasted awesome... and the broccoli was crunchy which is what we like! Its from Pinterest.  Here's the recipe.  I used a bit more broth because my sauce got REALLY thick.

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, grilled and cut into chunks (about 2 cups)
2 cups roasted broccoli florets
8 ounces fettuccine
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup fat-free, low sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup skim milk
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 pinch ground nutmeg
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Skinny Chicken Alfredo 

 In a pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is golden, 1 to 2 minutes.

Whisk in the flour until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, Greek yogurt, milk, pepper and nutmeg. Bring to a low boil, stirring constantly. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring gently, until the mixture thickens, about 3 minutes. Stir in 3/4 cup Parmesan.

Add cooked chicken and broccoli to sauce mixture, followed by the cooked pasta. Toss to combine and serve with more Parmesan, if desired.

Yonanas

 Then I decided to be a good mom and make the kids some Yonanas.  If you haven't heard about this listen up.  ITS AWESOME.  You have to like bananas.  Lately, any bananas that we have the are very ripe and there are no takers to eat it.  Instead of waiting, we have been freezing.  Then you put it into this gadget and you basically have 100% healthy fruit ice cream.  It tastes amazing.  I took ours and added some 25 calorie cherry, acai and raspberry preserves and I was in heaven!!!  The kids think its ice cream... he he he.

it spits it out in an ice cream consistency

Just the way I love it!

Mall Outing & Portobello Mushrooms!

Toady I woke up with the intent of running.  It was an 'easy' day... no adding of mileage, just slow steady 4 miles.  I got up at 640, let the pups out and started brewing my coffee.  I literally tiptoed.  D2 woke up.  DAMN!  There must be a trip alarm rigged to her room.  The kid KNOWS.  Problem was that Hubby was up with her at 1am so I wanted to let him sleep.  I know, good wife.  It quickly became 8:30 and D1 was up.  I was still in my workout clothes and I peek my head in and Hubby proceeds to ask me if I ran.  Ummm. No.  He happily got up and started his day... coffee.. etc.  Mondays are trash days so he had to collect it from the house and it soon became 10am.  Still no run.

I finally got the green light at 1030. It was windy and warm.  Beautiful day.  It got questionable for thunderstorms there for a tiny bit but they blew over.  I was so hot that I think I would have welcomed a rain!  4 miles down.  I got back and we started our day.  I weighed myself.  Granted, my clothes fir me better but I really haven't lost the staggering weight you would think.  I do notice that my boobs are deflating; literally!  Thats what I am losing!!!!

I had ordered a dress online that when it arrived I despised it so I wanted to return it at the mall.  D1 LOVES shopping (wonder where she gets it) so off we went. It was pretty much lunch time at this point so we did our usual.  D1 gets 'noodles' which is a side order of Sbarro's ziti and I get my Chop It salad.  Then we finish it with some gelato.  YUMMY!!!

We got home and it was nap time.  D1 was pretty much exhausted so went without objection.  Hubby was out pulling down the dead vines from the trees.  It looks SO MUCH BETTER.  I can't wait to have it all done!!!  Pics to come!

Then I started dinner.  This one was a HUGE family favorite!!!  Hubby ate 2 of the mushrooms and said that he could have eaten 5 more.  OK!  I NEVER watch TV but caught myself watching a few cooking shows the other week and Jazzy Vegetarian came on.  We do love our meatless days and this recipe looked great.  Here is her link to the original recipe.  Its actually a vegan recipe (the use veganase) but I used regular mayo.  VERY TASTY!

Crispy Portobello Steaks

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

4 portobello mushrooms, stemmed
3 cups cornflakes
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1⁄4 teaspoon sea salt
1⁄8 to 1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1⁄3 cup vegan mayonnaise 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
2 teaspoons reduced-sodium tamari

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

Ready to be cooked

 

Rinse the portobello mushrooms briefly and pat dry with a clean dish towel, taking care not to break them.

Just out of the oven

Put the cornflakes, italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor and process to form crumbs. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil. Stir until the crumbs are evenly coated.
Put the vegan mayonnaise and mustard in a small bowl and whisk until thoroughly blended.
Lay a mushroom upside down on a large plate. Sprinkle 1⁄2 teaspoon of the tamari over the gills, then drizzle with 1 tea- spoon of the oil. Turn the mushroom over and spread one-quarter of the mayonnaise mixture evenly over the top. Spread one-quarter of the cornflake mixture evenly over the top, patting it down firmly and not leaving any holes or gaps. Put the mushroom in the lined pan, right-side up. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
Tent the baking pan with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Turn the heat down to 375 degrees F, remove the foil, and bake for 10 to 20 minutes, until the mushrooms are fork-tender and the coating is crispy.
Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes to firm up. Cut the mushrooms into thick diagonal slices and serve immediately.

Finished Product!

YUMMY!

Lunch date & Bunco

Today started out early, again.  I woke up just before 7, let the dogs out and started brewing my coffee.  I booted up the laptop , let the dogs in and heard a faint cry from upstairs..  REALLY!?!??!??! She KNOWS when I get up, I swear, and I barely make a peep for the reason!  D2 was happy and ready to party by 7.  WHOS CHILD IS THIS? I love to sleep and so does hubby, and D2 is following suit.  How do I have an early bird!?!?!?!?


I got D1 up at around 8:15 as I wanted to start a new nap schedule.  D1 naps at 3:30-5:30 and D1 now naps from 11-2 and sometimes 4-5:30 with the latter being highly questionable.  When we lose D1's 2nd nap time  I want to try to keep them napping the same times (for my sanity) so Hubby and I talked about putting D2 down earlier.  Today started the transition.  Everyone was up early.  I kept D2 up until noon (she wasn't gonna last much longer without a meltdown) and napped from 12-2:30.  I put D2 down at 2.  She went without question.  We even had a little lunch date prior to nap which was cute.  UNTIL I SAW A GARTER SNAKE 10 feet away from us!!  EWWW!   Anyways... Im hoping that we are on the road to sanity.  I need them both to nap (until they are 18) and would prefer them to go at the same time so I can get things accomplished!  Fingers crossed.

Lunch was a humus, cucumber, sprout sandwich on a torta roll with a side of quinoa salad 

Our backyard visitor!

THEN ONTO BUNCO!  We had a great time!!! There were only 8 that attended.... and we need 12 so we did a quick web search to find out that we could run with 8 on two tables.  I must say, it was faster and more organized with 8!  We discussed our husbands (and explained to a single friend that things aren't all that they are cracked up to be!) and even talked about this blog.  Its nice to hear that I have 'readers'!  My friend KC requested a shout out... so here you go KC!!  She is going to get me the link to her scentsy page that I will link from here in the future!  After the game was over I ended up with my $5 pot.  So it ended up being a free, fun filled evening with friends, drinks and games!!!  Thank you to K, the hostess with the AMAZING DIP!!!  Now I'm  off to bed so I can run it off in the morning!!!!!

Nutrition & Meal Planning

Since I found out that I was preggers with D1 in 2008 Hubby and I have had 'nutrition talks'.  Yes, some were completely unrealistic such as the one where our child would never eat McDonald's. HA!  She gets it rarely, but alas, she has had a chicken McNugget a few times in her life.  Anyways, the issue lately has been lunch.  His target is Uncrustables (Costco's version to be exact).  I keep getting articles sent to me (from him) that they are the worse thing on the planet that you can give your kid.  Partially hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, and preservatives are his complaints.  I get it, I really do.  My issue, albeit selfish, is convenience.  When we are running out the door for an 'on the fly' zoo or aquarium trip I always pack a lunch.  Sometimes we have bread, sometimes not.  Its random.  What I can't do is delay our spontaneity to cook a lunch at home, eat it and then go.  We would never get out the door.  In those times, I turn to the foods in question.  My kids eat a home cooked meal most nights and rarely do we eat out... so they are far from 'unhealthy eaters', but yes, Uncrustables are bad.  They have all the worst things in them.  Driving yesterday, he was quoting the above linked article stating that PB&J,in general, are not bad, if you make them yourself from quality stuff. I agreed and we discussed options.

I made a trip to Costco and did some label reading and we came up with some alternatives.  The draw to Uncrustables were:
1. Convenience, which is obvious
2. Shape, which in the car or on the go they rarely get too messy and are easy to eat by a toddler
3. Stock'ability',  we have room in the freezer.  They can stay in there until needed and really don't go bad unlike bread, etc.

the ingredients

The preserves label.  GOOD STUFF!

The peanut butter

All set up

Packed and in the freezer
Tonight I made 'Peperables' (HA!). I got Kirkland (Costco brand) peanut butter where the only 2 ingredients are Peanuts & salt which excited hubby!  I also got some fruit preserves.  I got a raspberry, cherry, acaì version which tastes heavenly!  Its a whopping 25 calories per tablespoon.  Awesome.  I paired those ingredients with hot dog rolls which are so much more toddler friendly than bread.  They are closer to a toddler serving and they can easily eat them with 2 hands.  I got to work.  I made 16 sandwiches in about 10 minutes.  I bagged them all up and threw them in the freezer.  Wala.... no more hubby nutrition talks (for now)!!

2 pieces of scrapbook paper, a frame, some scissors and tape!

I did our meal planning today while D2 slept and D1 was watching Dora.  I 'pinned' a few recipes I thought sounded good and made my list.  During lunch I remembered that I had bought a picture frame holder to help with the meal planning, from pinterest of course.  I got to work.  It was done in about 10 minutes and looks fabulous.  Its a nice way to mentally remind yourself what you have to take out or have ready for dinner.  I'm quite excited about it.  Hoping Hubby will read it!

The freezer pack

The kiddos and I then did a quick trip to the grocery store and while the kids napped I made dinner.  I ended up making 2 so that I could freeze one for a later date.  Of course, I changed the recipe.  The original version posted here did not call for rotini or garlic.  I was preparing it as it was and just thought that t would be so much better with my additions and it turned out GREAT.  It is definitely one for the books.  Adding the garlic made the sauce smell divine.  YUMMO!!!  Here's the recipe.





 CHICKEN BROCCOLI ROTINI

Cooked the chicken on the wolfgang puck panini maker

1 – lb. fresh broccoli Break in pieces, and steam for 5 minutes.
3 cups cooked chicken breasts  – cube into bite sized pieces
3 cups Grated Cheddar Cheese divided
2 tubes Ritz Crackers
1  stick melted butter
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/2 box rotini, cooked















SAUCE:

1/3 cup Butter- melted
1/4 cups Cornstarch, dissolved in 1/2 cup COLD Water
1/3 cup Chicken Broth
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
2 Cups Milk
3-4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 1/2 cups of the above Cheddar Cheese

In greased 13×9 pan, layer the broccoli, rotini and chicken, then set aside. In saucepan over medium heat, combine the melted butter, cornstarch dissolved in water, chicken broth, seasonings, garlic, and milk. Stir well, and continue stirring until sauce has thickened. Turn heat down to low, and add 1- 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese. Stir until melted. Pour over the chicken, rotini and broccoli. Top with 1- 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese.

Melt the butter, and add the poppy seeds, and stir well. Crush Ritz crackers in large zip-lock bag with a rolling pin. Don’t crush too small. Add crumbs to the melted butter. Sprinkle crumbs over the top of the grated cheese.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until hot & bubbly.


The freezer one I wrapped with 3 layers of foil.  I plan to cook it a half hour with the lid on a and 30 mins uncovered.  I will let you know how it goes!

7 miles and Memphis Kiddie Park

Hubby worked late last night so I arranged the MIL to come over early so I could get a run done in the morning.  I feel like I am getting a routine and I need to stick with it.  I have a 10 mile race in 2 weeks and the half in 6 weeks.  If I keep adding at the pace I am going I will be there.  Fingers crossed.  So I headed out for 7 miles. Three point five there and back.  The worse was the mile up to the turn around (which was very hilly) and the last mile.  I wish I could say that its getting easier, but its not.  I have no problem going out and doing 3 miles, but any more than that is just hard.  I was talking to a friend tonight and said that if someone had told me 2 years ago that I would run 7 miles today I would have called them crazy.  Funny.  Now its about me time and mostly about my kids.

I have always been self conscious and had weight issues.  I wish I would have started this journey 10 years ago; when I HAD the time and energy.  I guess all things happen for a reason.  I will NEVER say that I am unhappy or I would have done things differently.  I just think starting this at 35-36 is harder and could have been better started back then. I can only imagine the shape I'd be in!!  I do this so my kids see exercise as a NORMAL, not something that you can do if you want.  If either of my kids get my build, I REALLY have to make this a part of our lives.  So I do it for me AND them. I want to be healthy for them and I want to be fit for US.  I don't want to be the 'fat mom' who can't roller-skate with their kids without getting winded (broken bones are ok... LOL).  Ok... off the soapbox.

After D2 woke up from her nap we took a trip to Memphis Kiddie Park.  I still have tickets from last year and today was the 1st day so I thought it would be fun.  If you have never been there.. GO!  Its great for the 2-5 year old crowd.  Hubby even wanted to go which worked out because I wasn't sure how I was gonna handle D1 & D2 alone.  D1 did AWESOME.  She went on rides by herself for the 1st time.  I even got teary eyed.  She is growing up!  D2 LOVED the carousel.  Its funny how opposite my kids are.  D1 HATED the swing when she was younger and was deathly afraid of the carousel last year.  D2 on the other hand LOVES both.  I hate comparing them but I find it fascinating.

Then I had a mommy trip to Costco.  LOVE that place!  Can I say that I love it even more when I am ALONE!!  I can read labels and comparison shop.  Ahhhhhh its the little things.


GOOD NIGHT!

Lack of sleep & peed pants

I was crabby from the time I woke up, the second time.  D2 was up at 1am.  Hubby was still up (preparing for a late shift today) so I put him on point.  I fell asleep.  She woke back up at 620.  SERIOUSLY? She was happy as a clam too!  How does a 10 month old survive on 5 hours of sleep??????  Yet, I have to wake my 2 year old up in the morning and from nap!!?  UUGGHH.  She napped at 11 and was out till 2.  I ALMOST went in there and woke her up but D1 was a bit too cuddly and I was enjoying it a bit too much.

I refused to have another time suck day like yesterday so I rallied the troops after D2 woke ( a few minutes til 2) and we were off to the park.  I packed lunches so we could get on the road.  It was fun.  D2 LOVED the swing (D1 was deathly afraid of it at her age!).  About 15 mins into the trip I see D1 walking funny.  Then I see it.  She peed her pants.  WTF!??!?!?!?!??!?  She has been potty trained since September (except for nap & nighttime).  In the last day or so she has been all consumed with activities to the point that she forgets to pee or tells us that she doesn't have to go so that she doesn't have to part with her activity.  2 times in the last 48 hours she made it to the bathroom and peed on the floor.  So I ran her down to my car and put her on the potty.  Then I realized that I emptied the potty last night and forgot to put the insert back in.  Yep, she now peed a puddle in the back of my car.  Yeah.

notice the lack of a pan underneath (

D2's pants on D1.

There was NO way to salvage the pants.  She was going home commando.  Of course, she didn't want to leave and explaining to her why she couldn't wear wet pants was pathetic.  She said "just brush them off mommy".... ohhh if it was only that easy.  I then began to dig through the diaper bag in search of any remnant of clothing.  I NEVER use it anymore.  Its funny, when you are preggers, you can't wait to get one.  Now that I am on #2 I can't stand it!  Anyways, I found a pair of D2's pants.  Size 6-9 month leggings.  D1 now had a mismatched pair of biker shorts for the park.  Looked funny, but she had a great time.

Sprout Lunch and Crockpot Garlic Chicken

Today started early.  I was up at 5 am with D2.  She was crying and just would not go back to bed.  She is getting 2 MORE teeth (poor thing already has 6 and she is only 10 months old!!) and has had a snotty nose so took pity on her and gave her a bottle.  She was asleep within 10 minutes.  I then started my day, coffee, email and I got dressed for a short run.  I hit the front door and to my surprise I saw SNOW!!!  UUGGHH.  I went out and did 3 miles.

SNOW!

I got home and woke everyone up.  It was Art Class day for D1 so we had to get moving.  It went pretty seamlessly and I even had a few minutes to shower.  Yeah mom!  I threw a freezer meal into the crock pot and had my low cal breakfast.  1 cup of rice krispies and 1/2 cup of almond milk.  YUM.  I wanted to get outside to do some work but it was just too cold, wet and dreary.  If Hubby would have been motivated I would have been all in but it just want happening.

I decided to clear out the fridge and use some of my sprouts for lunch.  I concocted an AWESOME sandwich.

2 pieces 9 grain bread
1 wedge of Laughing Cow swiss
2-3 tablespoons of my olive hummus from last night (click HERE for recipe)
1 hard boiled egg, sliced
sliced sweet red pepper
handful of broccoli & bean sprouts
dash of salt

Ingredients

AWESOME.

Then D1 wanted a snack.  I was hungry (counting calories ALWAYS makes me cagy for the first few days) and wanted popcorn.  To keep it low cal I decided to use a pinterest trick.  I put 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels in a brown paper bag.  Turned out great.  We sprinkled parmesan cheese and some Garlic & Wine seasoning (melting pot).  All that for like 70 calories!!  WHOOO HOOOOO!!!  D1 loved it too!!

Dinner was a freezer meal.  Garlic chicken.  It was great, I think it needs more garlic for us (WE LOVE GARLIC) and I paired it with rice.

All in all a great day.