Second Thoughts

This pregnancy has really changed me... as a mother, a mother-to-be, and as a person.  When I was pregnant with Mikayla I ate everything that was bad-for-you, such as McDonald's (those Big Macs really go down easily!), Oreos dipped in PB (yummm!), big huge ice cream sundaes, lots of sweets and cheese..etc.  Looking back on it now I realize all of this.  Something must have changed inside me, because all I crave now is huge bowls of veggies! I mean... the problem with being pregnant is everything that I eat tastes amazing, so I have to eat it all. Pretty much I don't allow myself to eat garbage this time. 

In fact, this pregnancy its quite the opposite.  Ive been reading information on food, reading other blogs, watching movies and documentaries, and just throwing myself into the eating world (both healthy and "un"), and I feel like I have learned so much.  All of this really makes me more aware of what I eat.  It makes me aware of what I am feeding my family, especially my daughter (who likes Pop-Tarts because, well, because other 5 yr olds like Pop Tarts and the SERVE THEM AT SCHOOL FOR BREAKFAST!!). 

The funny thing? I felt like I have been eating well.  I buy from the perimeters of the grocery store, I cook healthy dinners, we eat fruit and veggies... but now I'm learning maybe that isn't enough. 

Yesterday at Price Chopper I discovered they are starting a section of humanely raised meat (chicken, steak, etc).  It is more expensive, and I didn't buy it yet, but I probably will.  Walking through the store, I despise seeing a 2 lb red pepper sitting in my hand, knowing that a pepper should never be that big!! Everything has gotten so HUGE at the stores lately! Its insane.  True... red peppers are healthy... but how healthy is a 2 lb red pepper?? I bought the smallest one yesterday and it was 3/4 lb.  FOR ONE PEPPER! Insane.

Here are my groceries:

I only bought one meat item, which was all natural ground chicken.  I cant go insane on this, I still have a family that needs to eat, nor do I have the money or resources to shop at farmers markets and health food stores. I just need to make the best choices with what I am given.

Guess what?? I almost bought Mikayla EGGOS! I thought, wait.. I wouldn't eat Eggo's, why would I give those to my child?

Ingredients:ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMIN MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), WATER, VEGETABLE OIL (SOYBEAN OIL, PALM OIL AND PALM KERNEL OIL WITH TBHQ AND CITRIC ACID FOR FRESHNESS), EGGS, LEAVENING (BAKING SODA, SODIUM ALUMINUM PHOSPHATE, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE), SUGAR, CONTAINS TWO PERCENT OR LESS OF SALT, CALCIUM CARBONATE, WHEY, SOY LECITHIN, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, NIACINAMIDE, REDUCED IRON, YELLOW #5, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B1), RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), YELLOW #6, VITAMIN B12

Reduced Iron? What in the world is reduced iron? Yellow #5 and #6?? Huh?  Instead I purchased a box of Van's, which I found popular on the blog world.  I also realized I was sending her off to school with Capri Sun's everyday... those cant be good for you either, right? Instead, I found water flavored with natural fruit extract.  When I drank one I was positive it wasn't coming out of a "juice box", it tasted so different!

Now, am I going to stop eating things I have been predisposed to know and enjoy for 28 years? Probably not.  I don't live in a bubble. I'm still going to make brownies, and eat pizza, and drink the occasional soda or Gatorade. I am just going to make myself much, much more aware of the ingredients that are going into my body. 

Whew.

Spring is herrrre

Last Nights Dinner:
Yesterday was one of those nights where I was just SO HUNGRY I couldn't even think! I actually sat on the kitchen floor wondering what in the world I was going to make for dinner.  I roasted some broccoli and started cooking frozen green beans, then proceeded to whine to my husband that I was just too hungry to cook. Grrr, I hate feeling like that, but with being pregnant and all, it happens.  Luckily, the hubster came to my rescue (again).  He knows, understands, (and loves!!) my guilty pleasure for Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, so he grabbed the emergency container and began to cook (while I was still wandering around the kitchen clearly troubled).

First he unrolled the dough into 4 pieces, and dabbed some Balsamic Vinegar on each one.  Then he spread some chopped garlic, chopped spinach and chopped tomato on each piece of dough. He then added a tiny bit of mozz cheese on each one and rolled 'em up.

Popped them in the oven that was preheated to 400 (thanks to my quick-thinking roasted broccoli!) and baked for about 10 minutes.

Ah-maz-ing! Everything tastes better with Crescent Rolls.  Now if I could come up with some all-natural calorie-free version life would be perfect.

Full-on shot of dinner (I ate all the broccoli right away because I was starving). 

Under all that chopped Spinach are some (cooked, not dippy) eggs and Tabasco Sauce.



Next up: This Mornings Photo Shoot, because what else is there to do at 6:30 am??

Isn't she beauuutiful?!?!

  

Mikayla and Pocket

Today I am 26 weeks pregnant.  (Actually, as of yesterday.) However, I'm maintaining my 30 lb weight gain, which is making me a happy camper.  14 more weeks to go... third trimester begins next week!!! Baby boy was up ALL night kicking me and punching me.  Seriously, I couldn't sleep because there was movement coming from both sides of my belly.  Such a great feeling but its just weird how you cant turn it on and off, you know?

Bathroom Shot

One last thought before I sit down to eat lunch - WHERE IS ALL THIS SNOW COMING FROM?? Wasn't it just 60 on Friday? This is absurd!

cold and snowy in NY...brrr

Exciting Weekend

Friday was a birthday party: Happy Birthday Brianna!!! And my sister-in-law Sue threw her a pasta party! It was AWESOME, especially since I crave carbs so much.  There was a variety of pasta and three different types of sauces.  I ate two:

Sue's homemade Vodka Sauce (which, in case you didn't realize Susie, you are making for me sometime soon) and my brother-in-laws homemade Alfredo Sauce, both awesome.  I had two plates!!


Cousins

Yesterday the hubster and I took a road trip to Vermont to purchase a car - the car was a no go, but the road trip was fun. Here is the one landmark we visited:


Bennington Monument

Vermont is less than one hour from us, but we were gone all day.  We ate out a bunch, but my favorite was what we ate for lunch.  We went into this place in Bennington that I really didn't want to walk into - it looked like a straight up bar to me, but Pete says those are the best places to eat sometimes.  I trust his judgement, and he was right (sorry honey).  I was looking for more of a hippy-tofu-sprout sandwich shop, but Pete told me that wasn't typical of Bennington.  Anyway, the place we ate was absolutely delicious!! Pete ordered a Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich, which was sooo good, and it came with homemade chips.

I ordered French Onion Soup with a side of Brushetta - all of the food was so delicious!

Today we continued Craigslist car shopping, and guess what?! We found a car!! A Subaru Outback to be exact, and we love it!

My new whip

We celebrated by going to Chipolte:

Pete's Burrito



My amazing Chipolte Salad

What a fantastic weekend spent with the man I love. and, I got a car out of it ;)

Betty Crocker does it again

Remember the other day when I said Mikayla and I baked a lot? I baked these really amazing brownies that I cant stop thinking about.  Maybe its the pregnancy, maybe its because I was allowed to wear Sweats to work today (thus I am wearing stretchy pants and baggy clothes and feel free to eat whatever I want... muahhhahahaa). Its Friday AND College apparel day!! Woot Woot!


Baby Boy Vottis is in there!

Anyway, Mikayla and I baked Rocky Road Brownies!! They were so easy and so irresistible.  There is something about the melted marshmallows that just rock my world.  The crunch of the peanuts (salted, of course) and melted chocolate chips... all on top of the perfect brownie! (Pete was a lil bit sad that he couldn't eat them... giving up chocolate must be awful for a chocolate lover).
I adapted this recipe from none other than Betty Crocker herself.  First, I used a box of brownie mix and followed the directions on the box, adding 2/3 cup chocolate chips to the mix.  I actually used a 9x11 pan because I prefer thinner brownies, more toppings :)

Those are the holes I poked to make sure they were done.

Mommy's lil helper

 Immediately, I upped the amount of toppings from what Betty said. We covered the top of the warm brownies with marshmallow, then chocolate chips, then chopped peanuts.  I was nervous it wasn't going to stick to the brownie, so I ended up putting the entire thing back into the oven for about 2 mins.


Melted Goodness

Okay, I couldn't resist.  I tried to cut these when they were still warm, making them close to impossible to cut.  Each time I tried to make a slice, the marshmallow would just slide off and take the rest of the toppings along for the ride.  Normally I wouldn't mind, but I was taking these somewhere important. Eventually I stopped drooling long enough for my brain to tell me to stick 'em in the freezer until the top hardened.  It worked, and I sliced them right up, no problem.

What a nice treat to bring somewhere... no one can resist chocolate, peanuts, marshmallow AND brownie!

Rocky Road Brownies

1 Family size BOX Betty Crocker Brownie Mix (or whatever homemade ones you have)

2/3 Cup Chocolate Chips (for in the Brownie)

1 1/2 - 2 Cups Mini Marshmallows

1 1/2 Cups Chocolate Chips

3/4 Cup Chopped Peanuts (I ran them in the Food processor for a few rounds)

Make the Brownie mix according to instructions/recipe.  Add chocolate chips to mix.  Pour in 9x11 pan, bake according to box, but take out 1-2 mins early.  IMMEDIATELY cover hot brownies with marshmallows, then chocolate chips, and lastly the peanuts.  Stick back in oven for about 2 mins, or until your gut says they are perfect.  Take out, let cool, freeze until toppings become firm, then cut and serve.

Sweets this week    Sweets for a Saturday  This Weeks Cravings

Five Guys

Today... was an eating day!! We took Mikayla to the dentist one more time, which was more pleasant than Tuesday (whew!) and Pete also took the day off.  After making myself a sweet breakfast sandwich, we went to Brueggers Bagels and I ordered a Sun-dried tomato bagel with olive cream cheese... yummm!  They have the BEST cream cheese.

Lunch was a trip to Five Guys because Pete has never been,and we were starving! I got a single burger with cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, fried onions, mushrooms, jalapenos and mustard.

Pete got almost the same thing, but he got the regular, which is really two patty's

OMG I want to eat that... now!!! We both agreed these are NOT as good as Shake Shack, which is the best burger on the planet!!  Pete and I both worked at the Saratoga Race Track all summer, and I ate my fair share of Shake Shack burgers and cheese fries (a guilty pleasure of mine!).  (If you ever go, get the Shack Stack, its amazing!).  Ive completely lost my lust for burgers, but as I'm blogging about it I can feel it coming back!

Anyway, Mikayla ordered a hot dog, which is a treat for her because I cant stand hot dogs and don't allow her to eat them. 

I must admit the hot dog was pretty tasty, and I looooooved how the cut it so it was easy to eat. We also got a small fry which was like three times the size of the cup... we couldn't even finish all of our food, and that never happens.  The entire meal came to $22.50, what a steal ;)

Dinner was obviously Corned Beef and cabbage.  My mother in law made FIVE corned beefs! I also had to keep eating everything I baked yesterday, since its unfair to keep chocolate in the house since Pete gave it up for lent.  I wouldn't want to be a bad wife now, would I? 

Whew, now I'm totally stuffed, but hey, I'm pregnant so its okay... right?!

Squinkies & Reeses Pieces Cookies

A quick follow up from yesterday - Mikayla is doing much better, although now we have a second appointment tomorrow morning.  I allowed her to take today off from school because mommy was so traumatized yesterday and I just wanted to spend time off with my baby!

What did we do all day?  Well...it turns out the tooth fairy pays really well for lil 5 year old girls who get a tooth pulled out.  First Mikayla and I went to the store and bought Squinkies, and we also purchased a bunch of baked goods for my husbands work party after school today.  Isn't it funny how you actually do more stuff on "days off"?? They are never rest days for me!

Squinkies... the new toy to trade in Kindergarten!

The bad thing about staying home and baking all day, is I ate all the dough... and baked goods.. and choc chips.. and Reese's Pieces... you get my point.  The most exciting and wonderful thing we made today was Peanut Butter cookies, recipe adapted from one I found on Smitten Kitchen.  (I promise I will get around to posting the other ones too!)
    
So easy and yummy! Mix the ingredients listed below into the bowl,and add the candy pieces.  Eat multiple spoonfuls.

Pour a lil sugar into a dish an roll out cookies into a ball.  I made 'em on the tiny side, I had to get as many as I could out of the dough.  Roll the dough into the sugar

Roll Me!


Then place on cookie pan.   You wont need to spread them as far apart as I did here, it was a waste of space.

Push down with a fork to get the nice forky marks on the cookies.  See all the space I wasted?! Wasted space = wasted time, since these bake for 11 mins a piece!

Kris Kross!!

Be careful when you take them out, let them sit on the cookie sheet for a min before you move them.  And.... as much as you want to... wait a few minutes before you eat one.  I promise.  Don't eat one directly out of the oven, it will crumble and for some reason the taste just isn't there.

These all went at Pete's work party that I brought them to.  They were so professional tasting, I was amazed!


Reese's Pieces PB Cookies

1 1/4 Cup Flour
1/2 tspn Baking Soda
1/2 tspn Baking Powder
1 Stick Butter, softened (1/2 Cup)
1 Cup PB (you should prob try Chunky, I used smooth)
3/4 Cup White Sugar
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Egg
1 tbsp Milk
1 tspn Vanilla
1 Cup Reeses Pieces

Mix the dry ingredients together in one bowl; In another bowl mix the butter and PB, then add both the sugars. Mix in the egg, milk and vanilla, then dump and mix in the dry ingredients.  Add the Reeses Pieces and stir well - my last few cookies were basically all candy pieces :)

Bake on 325 for 11 mins!! They wont look done but they really are done, I promise. 

Happy Baking!!
Sweet Tooth Friday  Full Plate Thursdays Sweets for a Saturday

Difficult Days

No recipes here today.  This girl lived off of mint chocolate chip ice cream, because this lil princess had some traumatic dental work done today:

That's Mikayla (and Pocket) this afternoon, so obviously she is feeling much better. Mikayla had some teeth filled and had one extracted.  She was given two shots of Novocaine and the dentist told me that while he was pulling the tooth it kept breaking and her roots actually grew into her bone... needless to say, he told me she would be "very sore" later. 

Ugh.  I felt so helpless.  We went to a different dentist, not the normal one we take her to.  With this dentist, parents are not allowed in the room, so as soon as Mikayla was finished she ran into the waiting room, found me, and cried.  I actually scooped her up, brought her in the car, and she screamed - cried for like 10 minutes.  She was SO SCARED.  I felt so awful.  The rest of the day was spent on the "tooth couch" (like a sick couch, but obv no one is sick) watching movies (Chicken Run, Beauty & the Beast, Barbie), playing Go Fish, and eating Jello and Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream.  What else can a mother do but hug her baby girl all day?

I hate feeling so helpless when it comes to my mini-me.

On a more positive note, "step-dad" brought us home flowers last night.  I got pink ones, and he brought one special red rose home for his baby girl!



Mikayla's first flower from a boy!



My true loves!!!!!

Things like this make me so thankful that I was able to find and marry such a wonderful man who loves and accepts Mikayla and goes out of his way to show us how special she really is to him!

Now that I'm probably leaking like a waterfall (obviously due to pregnancy hormones and not my emotions) its time for me to get off this computer and go hug the people I love!! Maybe we'll go to Friendlys for special ice cream treats later tonight, if my princess feels up for it!