Lately I have been just repeating many recipes!
We came across a problem since my 13 month old son started "school."
I was making dinner for him and then he ended up having the same thing for lunch at his day care. I finally picked up a menu so the poor kid didn't have to eat the same meal 2 days in a row!
Also, since starting day care I don't get home as early as I used to. Even though there is only about a 15 minute difference, that 15 minutes makes a difference when you are trying to get dinner together.
At this point I am all about the fast and limited # of ingredients that go into a recipe. I have actually had to even rely on the prepackaged foods when we get home later than usual. (Costco has an amazing organic cheese stuffed ravioli that we made this week).
Once I become more organized I plan on getting dinner prepped either the night before or the morning of. That way when I get home all I have to do is pop it in the oven? Also thinking that I could probably come home on my lunch break, start the crock pot, and dinner would be done when we got home!
Now to start the process of becoming more organized!!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
One week down...
Well, we made it through the first week of day care.
It was rough - for both A and myself.
Of course by the 3rd day of "school" his voice was hoarse. By the 4th day he had a runny nose. By day # 5, he just had a full blown cold. It was his first "real" cold so it was rough on both of us.
It stinks to have a little one and not be able to help them get comfortable. I kept on hearing that vicks vapor rub on the feet was a safe way to make baby feel better. Yet, the vicks box doesn't recommend use under age 2. Thankfully my husband found a vicks vapor plug-in that helped out tremendously!! Safe for children 3 months and older. Combine the plug-in with the humidifier - we were set! Although A wasn't feeling so well, it was nice to be in for the weekend and get stuff done around the house.
Loving the fact that day care offers such a variety of healthy foods! Also loving that Alex is eating and enjoying what is being offered!
All in all, the first week went well. Luckily this morning when I dropped him off he went right to his teacher with no crying. He looked hesitant and unsure if I was staying or leaving but no falling out or big tears today when I left him.
By the end of this week maybe the both of us will be stronger and used to our new routine!
It was rough - for both A and myself.
Of course by the 3rd day of "school" his voice was hoarse. By the 4th day he had a runny nose. By day # 5, he just had a full blown cold. It was his first "real" cold so it was rough on both of us.
It stinks to have a little one and not be able to help them get comfortable. I kept on hearing that vicks vapor rub on the feet was a safe way to make baby feel better. Yet, the vicks box doesn't recommend use under age 2. Thankfully my husband found a vicks vapor plug-in that helped out tremendously!! Safe for children 3 months and older. Combine the plug-in with the humidifier - we were set! Although A wasn't feeling so well, it was nice to be in for the weekend and get stuff done around the house.
Loving the fact that day care offers such a variety of healthy foods! Also loving that Alex is eating and enjoying what is being offered!
All in all, the first week went well. Luckily this morning when I dropped him off he went right to his teacher with no crying. He looked hesitant and unsure if I was staying or leaving but no falling out or big tears today when I left him.
By the end of this week maybe the both of us will be stronger and used to our new routine!
Was able to make the chicken/potatoes/green beans recipe on Saturday.
Turned out just as I expected and it was so easy to make!!
I just modified the recipe and didn't add an entire stick of butter -- that just seemed like a lot!! I used half a stick and just a little bit of olive oil.
It was such an easy meal that I prepped it in the morning when my son was taking his morning nap. I covered it and threw it into the refrigerator until dinner time. Took it out and cooked for an hour on 350!!
So easy.
Turned out just as I expected and it was so easy to make!!
I just modified the recipe and didn't add an entire stick of butter -- that just seemed like a lot!! I used half a stick and just a little bit of olive oil.
It was such an easy meal that I prepped it in the morning when my son was taking his morning nap. I covered it and threw it into the refrigerator until dinner time. Took it out and cooked for an hour on 350!!
So easy.
Friday, September 14, 2012
The Day Care Bug
My baby has his first "real" cold.
He has a stuffy and runny nose, sneezing, and just can't breath out of his nose. I feel so bad for him because I know this is just the first of many colds for him. Thankfully I was warned by other mothers that the first 3 weeks of day care would be like this... Constant runny nose and illness...
At first when he woke up this morning (an hour before usual) I wasn't sure what to do. Do I call out sick from work to take care of him? Do I get a sitter for the day and keep him out of day care?? Do I just send him to day care since he has no fever?? After discussing with J, we decided to send him to day care and hope he gets through it. So far, so good. He seems to be having a good day!
Hopefully A continues to feel well so that we can really enjoy our weekend! We are supposed to start Kindermusik tomorrow, but won't be able to go if we have a runny icky nose :o(
He has a stuffy and runny nose, sneezing, and just can't breath out of his nose. I feel so bad for him because I know this is just the first of many colds for him. Thankfully I was warned by other mothers that the first 3 weeks of day care would be like this... Constant runny nose and illness...
At first when he woke up this morning (an hour before usual) I wasn't sure what to do. Do I call out sick from work to take care of him? Do I get a sitter for the day and keep him out of day care?? Do I just send him to day care since he has no fever?? After discussing with J, we decided to send him to day care and hope he gets through it. So far, so good. He seems to be having a good day!
Hopefully A continues to feel well so that we can really enjoy our weekend! We are supposed to start Kindermusik tomorrow, but won't be able to go if we have a runny icky nose :o(
Pizza night...
Ok, so I didn't get the chance to make that stick of butter chicken recipe last night... Ended up running errands and then getting a pizza!
I'm thinking I might get that chicken dish in the oven tonight and have leftovers for tomorrow's lunch??
Also, in my last post I mentioned that I made a Honey Chicken meal in the crock pot... Well, the recipe is actually different than the one I posted earlier this year. I actually think I liked this recipe better -- the only extra ingredient was corn starch & sesame seed (which we didn't have)...
Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken
Recipe adapted from: Baby Center
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thighs would be fine too)
Salt and pepper
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup diced onion
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (could also use olive oil or canola oil -- I used olive oil)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional - I didn't use because I'm a whimp)
4 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 6 Tablespoons water
Sesame seeds (didn't have them, so didn't use them)
Directions:
Season both sides of chicken with lightly with salt and pepper, put into crock pot. In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic and pepper flakes. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours, or just until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce. Dissolve 4 teaspoons of cornstarch in 6 tablespoons of water and pour into crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Replace lid and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes or until slightly thickened. Cut chicken into bite size pieces, then return to pot and toss with sauce before serving. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice or noodles.
More information on recipe...
http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/01/slow-cooker-honey-sesame-chicken-recipe.html
I'm thinking I might get that chicken dish in the oven tonight and have leftovers for tomorrow's lunch??
Also, in my last post I mentioned that I made a Honey Chicken meal in the crock pot... Well, the recipe is actually different than the one I posted earlier this year. I actually think I liked this recipe better -- the only extra ingredient was corn starch & sesame seed (which we didn't have)...
Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken
Recipe adapted from: Baby Center
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thighs would be fine too)
Salt and pepper
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup diced onion
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (could also use olive oil or canola oil -- I used olive oil)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional - I didn't use because I'm a whimp)
4 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 6 Tablespoons water
Sesame seeds (didn't have them, so didn't use them)
Directions:
Season both sides of chicken with lightly with salt and pepper, put into crock pot. In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic and pepper flakes. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours, or just until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce. Dissolve 4 teaspoons of cornstarch in 6 tablespoons of water and pour into crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Replace lid and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes or until slightly thickened. Cut chicken into bite size pieces, then return to pot and toss with sauce before serving. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice or noodles.
More information on recipe...
http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/01/slow-cooker-honey-sesame-chicken-recipe.html
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Getting easier
Soooo, it's been a couple of weeks since I've had the chance to blog...
Even though it has not become any more enjoyable, cooking is getting a little easier.
I'm not even sure what I have been cooking, but I know that it's beeng happening!!
Really getting in the grilling since the nice weather won't be with us for long!
I have repeated some of the recipes I've posted in previous posts (ex. pesto chicken, asian honey chicken). And honestly, I've just thrown some things together to make a meal.
Tonights dinner should be interesting... I'm thinking of making a recipe that I saw on pinterst MINUS the full stick of butter. Maybe to substitute I can use olive oil or half a stick of butter?? It looks easy and quick so I'm going to give it a try!! I will also NOT be using a whole package of the italian seasoning -- always way too much salt for my taste!!!
INGREDIENTS & DIRECTIONS: 4-6 raw chicken breasts, new potatoes, green beans (fresh or canned-really any green veggie would work. Broccoli is good, too). Arrange in 9x13 dish. Sprinkle with a packet of Italian dressing mix and then top with a melted stick of butter. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Even though it has not become any more enjoyable, cooking is getting a little easier.
I'm not even sure what I have been cooking, but I know that it's beeng happening!!
Really getting in the grilling since the nice weather won't be with us for long!
I have repeated some of the recipes I've posted in previous posts (ex. pesto chicken, asian honey chicken). And honestly, I've just thrown some things together to make a meal.
Tonights dinner should be interesting... I'm thinking of making a recipe that I saw on pinterst MINUS the full stick of butter. Maybe to substitute I can use olive oil or half a stick of butter?? It looks easy and quick so I'm going to give it a try!! I will also NOT be using a whole package of the italian seasoning -- always way too much salt for my taste!!!
INGREDIENTS & DIRECTIONS: 4-6 raw chicken breasts, new potatoes, green beans (fresh or canned-really any green veggie would work. Broccoli is good, too). Arrange in 9x13 dish. Sprinkle with a packet of Italian dressing mix and then top with a melted stick of butter. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
1st week of school
We have had a very hectic and let's face it, stressful past couple of weeks!!
Been so busy that I even forgot that I had a blog.
A started "school" on Monday and so far it's been just OK. Very rough on both of us I think.
While I was pregnant I started searching for a child care center. Went to a few centers to try and get something set up for when I returned to work. During the last month of pregnancy, or maybe even while I was on maternity leave, J's mother and step mother decided that they wanted to watch A while we worked. We were so grateful that A could stay at home, and be watched by his grandmothers. Over the year, A was able to get 1:1 attention, be home (and healthy), and have fun with his grandmothers.
Boy, how time flies though... As the year came to an end, I attempted to find a home care for A, but had little success. Unfortunately since I do not know many people in our area, I wasn't able to get many personal referrals for a home day care. I just can't trust sending my child to someone's home and feel comfortable doing so. Although a home center would be my preference, my gut instinct just tells me that unless I have a personal referral, I just can't do it. We are on a waiting list for a home care center and hopefully there will be room for A soon, if not, we have a center that we found which so far, I'm very happy with!!
A had a rough first couple of days. I took some time off of work in the afternoon to pick him up a little early from "school." The two times I went to get him he was playing outside with the other kids. So sad to see him just standing there watching the other kids play. There was a sadness in his eyes that just broke my heart. He cried when the teacher took a step, or if another child ran past him too fast. He was relieved when he saw me and immediately ran over to me (falling several times because the ground has the ground up tires and is difficult for him to walk in).
Thankful that his lead teacher has 16 years at the center. She seems to be so kind and nice. She even has sent me some pictures and even videos of A. She lets me call as much as I need to.
On the positive side of starting "school." A is eating lots of new foods, much more foods than I experiment with at home. For the most part they practice very health eating! One morning I walked in and they were making home made fruit bars -- the delicious baked good smell hit you as soon as you opened the front door!! He eats balanced lunches, or at least he is offered a balance lunch! He is learning how to use utensils while eating which I think is pretty cool. Of course playing with the other kids is also good for him. (Although he has a constant runny nose the past 3 days - which I can't tell if it's a cold or if it's from the constant crying).
Today was stuffed animal day so A brought in one of his toys to play with. Can't wait to see how that works out!
It has been just a hectic and crazy past couple of weeks and I just can't wait to hang out with my baby this weekend with no real plans -- except music class on Saturday!!
Been so busy that I even forgot that I had a blog.
A started "school" on Monday and so far it's been just OK. Very rough on both of us I think.
While I was pregnant I started searching for a child care center. Went to a few centers to try and get something set up for when I returned to work. During the last month of pregnancy, or maybe even while I was on maternity leave, J's mother and step mother decided that they wanted to watch A while we worked. We were so grateful that A could stay at home, and be watched by his grandmothers. Over the year, A was able to get 1:1 attention, be home (and healthy), and have fun with his grandmothers.
Boy, how time flies though... As the year came to an end, I attempted to find a home care for A, but had little success. Unfortunately since I do not know many people in our area, I wasn't able to get many personal referrals for a home day care. I just can't trust sending my child to someone's home and feel comfortable doing so. Although a home center would be my preference, my gut instinct just tells me that unless I have a personal referral, I just can't do it. We are on a waiting list for a home care center and hopefully there will be room for A soon, if not, we have a center that we found which so far, I'm very happy with!!
A had a rough first couple of days. I took some time off of work in the afternoon to pick him up a little early from "school." The two times I went to get him he was playing outside with the other kids. So sad to see him just standing there watching the other kids play. There was a sadness in his eyes that just broke my heart. He cried when the teacher took a step, or if another child ran past him too fast. He was relieved when he saw me and immediately ran over to me (falling several times because the ground has the ground up tires and is difficult for him to walk in).
Thankful that his lead teacher has 16 years at the center. She seems to be so kind and nice. She even has sent me some pictures and even videos of A. She lets me call as much as I need to.
On the positive side of starting "school." A is eating lots of new foods, much more foods than I experiment with at home. For the most part they practice very health eating! One morning I walked in and they were making home made fruit bars -- the delicious baked good smell hit you as soon as you opened the front door!! He eats balanced lunches, or at least he is offered a balance lunch! He is learning how to use utensils while eating which I think is pretty cool. Of course playing with the other kids is also good for him. (Although he has a constant runny nose the past 3 days - which I can't tell if it's a cold or if it's from the constant crying).
Today was stuffed animal day so A brought in one of his toys to play with. Can't wait to see how that works out!
It has been just a hectic and crazy past couple of weeks and I just can't wait to hang out with my baby this weekend with no real plans -- except music class on Saturday!!
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