Being a new mom has been so wonderful. I honestly don't know where the time has gone...
Sharing my life with my baby is amazing, yet, at some point I think a Mom (at least a new mom) looses a little bit of herself with all that comes along with parenting. When Alex started sleeping through the night I realized that my evenings were free again. For probably 3 weeks I sat on the couch with just a blank expression and would just stare at the TV. I work full time and am typically very tired when I get home. Then of course you have your home responsibilities of cooking, cleaning, paying attention to your husband. I knew that I wanted to pick up some of my old interests, but I was just at a loss of how to get involved again. I can remember just sitting in front of the TV staring (not truly paying attention to whatever was on).
So, I started looking around to see what books were popular at the moment. I was so ready to stop reading the parenting books and pick up something with a plot!! So, I read the Hunger Games Trilogy, and some other books that I had put off...
As more time went on I really started feeling like I was getting back to my pre-baby self. I try and keep myself busy in the evening with something other than cleaning, laundry or dishes. I try and at least give myself a half an hour before bed to just relax and enjoy. Some nights it may be as simple as flipping through a magazine!!
Over the months I have been ordering prints of pictures I have taken of Alex. I jump between Snapfish & Shutterfly and go with whoever has the best promotion at the time. These pictures start from the glass of wine that I had that we contribute to Alex being born, the actual pregnancy test that said PREGNANT, to pregnancy pictures of my growing stomach, to the hospital, up until present day. I probably have over 1,000 prints to go through. I finally bought some albums and started organizing them. It's been a lot of fun seeing how much my baby has changed in just one year..
Friday, July 27, 2012
Making it easy...
Having a nice gas grill really makes cooking easy in the summer!!! We got some burgers and my husband threw them on the grill on Thursday.... No recipe to share this time... Just season meat to your taste (I used some seasoning I bought at a Shipshawana craft show).... We had baked beans and green beans for sides (both from the can)...
Considering that This Mama Can't Cook... Burgers on the grill is my kind of cooking!!!
Considering that This Mama Can't Cook... Burgers on the grill is my kind of cooking!!!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
On the menu this week....
So, let's see...
Saturday was a crock pot type of day. I found this recipe on Pinterest (go figure, it's where I get all of my recipes) and have made something very similiar to it before. My husband and I call it "southwest chicken" and it is very simple to make. This new version was a weight watchers recipe and was still very simple....
Saturday was a crock pot type of day. I found this recipe on Pinterest (go figure, it's where I get all of my recipes) and have made something very similiar to it before. My husband and I call it "southwest chicken" and it is very simple to make. This new version was a weight watchers recipe and was still very simple....
WW - Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili
INGREDIENTS:
1 onion, chopped
1 16-oz can black beans
1 16-oz can kidney beans
1 8-oz can tomato sauce (used a 16 oz can)
10 oz package frozen corn kernels ( used 1 can of corn kernels )
2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies (used a 28 oz can of diced tomatoes)
1 packet taco seasoning ( used 1/2 packet of fajita seasoning )
1 tbsp cumin (didn't have it so I didn't use it)
1 tbsp chili powder ( didn't have it so I didn't use it )
24 0z. (3) boneless skinless chicken breasts ( used tenderloins because that's what we had)
chili peppers, chopped (optional - didn't have them sooo, didn't use them )
chopped fresh cilantro (once again, didn't have it, so I didn't use it)
1 16-oz can black beans
1 16-oz can kidney beans
1 8-oz can tomato sauce (used a 16 oz can)
10 oz package frozen corn kernels ( used 1 can of corn kernels )
2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies (used a 28 oz can of diced tomatoes)
1 packet taco seasoning ( used 1/2 packet of fajita seasoning )
1 tbsp cumin (didn't have it so I didn't use it)
1 tbsp chili powder ( didn't have it so I didn't use it )
24 0z. (3) boneless skinless chicken breasts ( used tenderloins because that's what we had)
chili peppers, chopped (optional - didn't have them sooo, didn't use them )
chopped fresh cilantro (once again, didn't have it, so I didn't use it)
DIRECTIONS:
Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream (extra points). Serve over rice if you would like.
So my thoughts on this recipe are... Very easy. I didn't do 6 hours on high, it was more like 4 hours. I didn't worry about the seasoning because I was really making it for my baby -- hubby and I were going out to dinner so it was really for him. It was a little bland, but of course that's what happens when you don't use the recommended seasoning! We typically use it with salsa and I think that brings more flavor to it!! Would probably make it again because it was so easy...
Monday I made another chicken dish... Very easy but, a little too salty :o(
Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken
Ingredients:
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 package Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix (I used Kroger brand)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (I used tenderloins)
(not part of the recipe but I sprinkled bread crumbs)
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Mix cheese, dressing mix and garlic powder.
3. Moisten chicken breasts with water; coat with cheese mixture. Place in shallow baking dish.
4. Bake 20 to 25 min. or until chicken is no longer pink in the center.
I think that this recipe would have been really good if I put less of the Italian Dressing Mix in. This I will definitely do again because it was just so easy!!
We served it with cheese stuffed tortellini and sauce and green beans. Definitely a good one!!
1 package Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix (I used Kroger brand)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (I used tenderloins)
(not part of the recipe but I sprinkled bread crumbs)
Directions:
2. Mix cheese, dressing mix and garlic powder.
3. Moisten chicken breasts with water; coat with cheese mixture. Place in shallow baking dish.
4. Bake 20 to 25 min. or until chicken is no longer pink in the center.
I think that this recipe would have been really good if I put less of the Italian Dressing Mix in. This I will definitely do again because it was just so easy!!
We served it with cheese stuffed tortellini and sauce and green beans. Definitely a good one!!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Coming along...
Well, things seem to be coming along in the kitchen this week.
Typically we would have had at least 2 nights of take out by now... But since my 11 month old is refusing baby food, and only wanting "real" food, we have had to prepare meals at home.
This has been a challenge. Both my husband and I are employed full time, and neither of us are "cooks." We have had to put real effort into buckling down in the evenings and getting dinner on the table!
Sunday I made a dish that I found on Pinterest. Don't get me wrong, pinterest is where I get my recipes from but I have realized something. Many times when a pinterest user states that this recipe is "easy," it really should say that the meal is BLAND!! I made a dish that was supposed to bake, but it was waaaayyy to hot to turn the oven on. So, I decided to put the dish in the crock pot.
Typically we would have had at least 2 nights of take out by now... But since my 11 month old is refusing baby food, and only wanting "real" food, we have had to prepare meals at home.
This has been a challenge. Both my husband and I are employed full time, and neither of us are "cooks." We have had to put real effort into buckling down in the evenings and getting dinner on the table!
Sunday I made a dish that I found on Pinterest. Don't get me wrong, pinterest is where I get my recipes from but I have realized something. Many times when a pinterest user states that this recipe is "easy," it really should say that the meal is BLAND!! I made a dish that was supposed to bake, but it was waaaayyy to hot to turn the oven on. So, I decided to put the dish in the crock pot.
Chicken & Rice "No Peek Chicken"
Ingredients:
* 1 box Uncle Ben's Long Grain Wild Rice (original recipe) - I used a bag of long grain wild rice which was a big mistake -- some came out crunchy
* 1 can cream of mushroom soup
* 1 can cream of celery soup
* 1 can water (The rice absorbed all of the water so I had to use 2 cans of water, then I added 1 can of chicken broth)
(You can add another can of water for moister rice.)
* Chicken breasts or tenders (we used tenders)
* We added seasoning to ours (Montreal seasoning, pepper, Italian seasoning)
***** Another recipe that I just found today was almost identical to this one added a package of dry onion soup mix!!!! This would help the recipe so much!! And they used uncle ben's white minute rice instead of the long cooking grain rice!!!*****
Directions:
Grease the crock pot.
Add the canned soups, water, and rice into crock pot. Stir.
Add chicken into the crock pot.
Turn on LOW for 4-6 hours
If you are going to bake the dish then:
In a greased 9 x 13 pan, mix the box of rice, cans of celery and mushroom soup and one can of water. Arrange the raw chicken on top of the rice mixture. Cover and seal with foil.Bake at 350 degrees for 2 1/2 hours and "Don't Peek!"
For more information on the recipe go to:
OR to see the recipe that sounds much more flavorful and just as easy!!!!
As the week went on we made spaghetti -- always a great hit with kids!
Last night I made an easy and delicious meal. Just 3 main Ingredients!!
PESTO CHICKEN
Ingredients:
* 1/2 cup of Pesto ( I used the Classico brand that comes in a small jar)
* 2 oz. (1/2 cup) of low fat Mozerella Cheese (we didn't have low fat)
* Chicken tenders
* salt & pepper to taste
Directions:
* Spray the casserole dish with non-stick spray, then spread 1/4 cup of basil pesto over the bottom of the dish.
* Then lay the chicken strips over the top of the pesto and season with salt and fresh ground black pepper.
* Spread another 1/4 cup of basil pesto over the top of the chicken strips. (I used a rubber scraper to spread the pesto in the dish and over the chicken.)
* Cover the dish with foil. Then bake at 375F/190C for 25-30 minutes, just until the chicken is barely cooked through. (Don't cook too long at this stage, or the chicken will be overcooked when the cheese is melted and browned.)
* When chicken is done, sprinkle 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese over the top and bake about 5 minutes more. (If your broiler is separate from the oven, start preheating it at this point.)
* Broil for about 5 minutes, just long enough to get some color on the cheese. Serve hot, maybe with rice or couscous to soak up the juice. (We used rice, although pasta would have been better).
***** For step by step -- and pictures detailing each step please visit the website*****
Catching up....
Just catching up on some blogging!!
This past weekend I realized that we had less than a month to plan Alex's birthday party! I had all these great and cute ideas for decorations and keepsakes but, unfortunately, with his party only 3 weeks away, I won't be able to do much of anything.
When I realized I only had 3 weeks I quickly ran to Party City to get invitations. Of course the invites that I wanted (that I saw online) were not available in the store so I had to settle for something else. Still along the same theme -- but the set that I really wanted emphazised the # 1 for being a first birthday.
I made my first etsy purchase and I'm hoping that Alex's Birthday shirt will fit him well :o)
Besides food I just have a few more things to get together for the party. Since his birthday is in the middle of hot August, I plan on getting some kiddie pools set up for any kids who may attend! If it rains, then yikes, we will be out of luck...
I just hope I don't get too stressed with transporting everything needed for the party. We are having it at Alex's grandma's house which has plenty of space. I can't wait for the day that we can move into a new house with actual space for entertaining. I would love to have his party at our house but let's face it, we don't even have a kitchen table to put food onto. So frustrating to even cook dinner considering I have to use the top of the stove, the small counter space, and many times the kitchen stool just to set up. But let me stop venting and just be grateful that we do have a home and a roof over our heads!!!
Tonight I plan on ordering the cake!! Can't wait for that part of his birthday party!! He is pretty adventurous so I bet we get a good show...
Other than planning his birthday we are just looking forward to the future of finding affordable child care. Looking around at our options and hope we can figure something out soon!
Looking forward to the weekend -- and just hoping that my teething baby gives me some relief with his new stage of fighting sleep!!!
This past weekend I realized that we had less than a month to plan Alex's birthday party! I had all these great and cute ideas for decorations and keepsakes but, unfortunately, with his party only 3 weeks away, I won't be able to do much of anything.
When I realized I only had 3 weeks I quickly ran to Party City to get invitations. Of course the invites that I wanted (that I saw online) were not available in the store so I had to settle for something else. Still along the same theme -- but the set that I really wanted emphazised the # 1 for being a first birthday.
I made my first etsy purchase and I'm hoping that Alex's Birthday shirt will fit him well :o)
Besides food I just have a few more things to get together for the party. Since his birthday is in the middle of hot August, I plan on getting some kiddie pools set up for any kids who may attend! If it rains, then yikes, we will be out of luck...
I just hope I don't get too stressed with transporting everything needed for the party. We are having it at Alex's grandma's house which has plenty of space. I can't wait for the day that we can move into a new house with actual space for entertaining. I would love to have his party at our house but let's face it, we don't even have a kitchen table to put food onto. So frustrating to even cook dinner considering I have to use the top of the stove, the small counter space, and many times the kitchen stool just to set up. But let me stop venting and just be grateful that we do have a home and a roof over our heads!!!
Tonight I plan on ordering the cake!! Can't wait for that part of his birthday party!! He is pretty adventurous so I bet we get a good show...
Other than planning his birthday we are just looking forward to the future of finding affordable child care. Looking around at our options and hope we can figure something out soon!
Looking forward to the weekend -- and just hoping that my teething baby gives me some relief with his new stage of fighting sleep!!!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Kindermusik
Alex and I have been taking music classes the past couple of weeks with 2 of our cousins.
At first I didn't know what to expect since it was my first play group experience.
Let me tell ya, Alex and I are both enjoying our time at class.
I get so worried because the class starts at Alex's morning nap time. All the mom's seem to be facing that same situation since 9:30 AM is such a common nap time for babies! At first I wasn't sure if he would make it through the entire class. I was wrong. He does pretty well up until the very end.
We are learning some new songs, and Alex enjoys the interaction with the babies. At his first class he was so excited to meet other babies. He wanted to grab their faces and give kisses! By the second class the teacher was letting us know that we need to learn delayed gratification -- my baby would see another baby with their music toy and quickly rush over to "take" it away. No harm intended, but, teacher was right that we needed to stress waiting our turn.
I'm thinking that we are having such a nice time that we will sign up for another session!!
At first I didn't know what to expect since it was my first play group experience.
Let me tell ya, Alex and I are both enjoying our time at class.
I get so worried because the class starts at Alex's morning nap time. All the mom's seem to be facing that same situation since 9:30 AM is such a common nap time for babies! At first I wasn't sure if he would make it through the entire class. I was wrong. He does pretty well up until the very end.
We are learning some new songs, and Alex enjoys the interaction with the babies. At his first class he was so excited to meet other babies. He wanted to grab their faces and give kisses! By the second class the teacher was letting us know that we need to learn delayed gratification -- my baby would see another baby with their music toy and quickly rush over to "take" it away. No harm intended, but, teacher was right that we needed to stress waiting our turn.
I'm thinking that we are having such a nice time that we will sign up for another session!!
The time has come...
The time has come that we must start cooking on a regular basis.
My almost 11 month old baby is refusing baby food and only wants to eat "real" food.
This weekend I will be getting organized to figure out some easy recipes. Also, need to figure out some good recipes that freeze well.
Just hope that we can get it together and introduce some yummy foods for my baby.
My almost 11 month old baby is refusing baby food and only wants to eat "real" food.
This weekend I will be getting organized to figure out some easy recipes. Also, need to figure out some good recipes that freeze well.
Just hope that we can get it together and introduce some yummy foods for my baby.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Summer Time = Busy Time
We have had such a wonderful summer so far!!
Alex and I flew to Delaware to visit my Mom. I can't believe how much ripping and running we did - and that Alex cooperated with the travel schedule up until the end!
Every day it seemed like Alex was meeting someone new. On Wednesday I took him to visit my old workplace which was too much fun! I hadn't seen my old co-workers since I left 3 years ago. It was nice to catch up and have Alex be able to play. He even got the chance to eat some Bernie's Water Ice while we were there.
On Thursday Alex and I left for the Jersey Shore to hang out with some close friends! Alex and I were both FINALLY able to meet J&V and see their Mom, Sandy. Sandy and I are college friends and were pregnant during the same time. Her two beautiful twins were just too much fun - and Alex just cracked up playing with them. Not only did we get to meet J&V, we also got to meet another good friends baby S. What a beautiful little girl - only 3 weeks or so younger than Alex. So fun to be able to share some beach time with girls!!
Alex really surprised me with his excitement for the water/beach. I didn't know what he was going to do with the sand on his feet and just being outside in heat like that. Alex really uses his feet to feel things - sometimes more than he uses his hands. I thought the hot sand would bother him so I bought him some beach/water shoes. He wasn't bothered and actually loved running his feet through the sand. He did really good on the beach - we spent all day out there! He loved the water and especially enjoyed that it was salty. He of course tasted the sand, yet, only did it once!
On Friday we got to hang out with another set of twins! I had not seen J&K since they were infants so it was great to finally see them in action!! Those are some happy little boys!! Always smiling and curious about what's going on. But, I guess what boy isn't curious about his environment. It was so cool to be able to see what they were getting into - so that I can have something to look forward with!!
J&K's mom, Deanna, assisted with some easy foods to start feeding Alex. By the time we got home he was eating a lot of the same snacks that J&K were eating! Alex loved the snacks and I think they feel good on his gums while filling him up!!
The rest of the weekend was full of hanging out with friends and attending a wedding! My friend Christy and I stayed in the hotel where the wedding was being held and had a nice time catching up and relaxing! Of course when it comes to hanging out with Christy, there is always something funny to go on... Always a story!!
All in all it was a great trip!! Almost didn't want to come back to Toledo... Actually, I didn't want to come back but, had to face reality. Unfortunately.
Alex and I flew to Delaware to visit my Mom. I can't believe how much ripping and running we did - and that Alex cooperated with the travel schedule up until the end!
Every day it seemed like Alex was meeting someone new. On Wednesday I took him to visit my old workplace which was too much fun! I hadn't seen my old co-workers since I left 3 years ago. It was nice to catch up and have Alex be able to play. He even got the chance to eat some Bernie's Water Ice while we were there.
On Thursday Alex and I left for the Jersey Shore to hang out with some close friends! Alex and I were both FINALLY able to meet J&V and see their Mom, Sandy. Sandy and I are college friends and were pregnant during the same time. Her two beautiful twins were just too much fun - and Alex just cracked up playing with them. Not only did we get to meet J&V, we also got to meet another good friends baby S. What a beautiful little girl - only 3 weeks or so younger than Alex. So fun to be able to share some beach time with girls!!
Alex really surprised me with his excitement for the water/beach. I didn't know what he was going to do with the sand on his feet and just being outside in heat like that. Alex really uses his feet to feel things - sometimes more than he uses his hands. I thought the hot sand would bother him so I bought him some beach/water shoes. He wasn't bothered and actually loved running his feet through the sand. He did really good on the beach - we spent all day out there! He loved the water and especially enjoyed that it was salty. He of course tasted the sand, yet, only did it once!
On Friday we got to hang out with another set of twins! I had not seen J&K since they were infants so it was great to finally see them in action!! Those are some happy little boys!! Always smiling and curious about what's going on. But, I guess what boy isn't curious about his environment. It was so cool to be able to see what they were getting into - so that I can have something to look forward with!!
J&K's mom, Deanna, assisted with some easy foods to start feeding Alex. By the time we got home he was eating a lot of the same snacks that J&K were eating! Alex loved the snacks and I think they feel good on his gums while filling him up!!
The rest of the weekend was full of hanging out with friends and attending a wedding! My friend Christy and I stayed in the hotel where the wedding was being held and had a nice time catching up and relaxing! Of course when it comes to hanging out with Christy, there is always something funny to go on... Always a story!!
All in all it was a great trip!! Almost didn't want to come back to Toledo... Actually, I didn't want to come back but, had to face reality. Unfortunately.
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