What's Cookin' - May 2009

Here are a few things we've made this past month. I'll only post the ones I recommend, so eat up!

Grilled Fusion Chicken - A simple chicken dish perfect for the summer...cool flavors cooked on the grill.

Raspberry-Cream Cheese Muffins - This batter is so sweet, these bad boys tasted like cupcakes to me! This is the perfect time to pick up some berries for very cheap.

Classic Banana Bread - Can't go wrong with this tried and true. I always add something...this time it was Craisins, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Pulled Pork - Pork tri-tip from Costco cooking all day in the crock pot, then doused with BBQ sauce? Simple and tasty, served with toasted whole wheat buns!

Chicken Tamale Casserole - Finally, a mexican chicken recipe the deviates from the traditional enchilada form. The cornbread is perfect!

Chicken Enchilada Casserole - It is what it is. Tasty, easy, and something I will definitely make again.

Basil Shrimp with Feta and Orzo - The BEST side dish I've found to be served with salmon. I go easy on the shrimp (and use the baby ones).

Glazed Pork - Simple and quick, served with creamed corn (below) and Ryan thought he was in heaven.

Creamed Corn with Bacon and Leeks - We don't eat much corn at our house (starchy vegetables don't pass the "mom" test), but this one I'd make again. Didn't have leeks, so I used some onion instead. And bacon for dinner...ummm...yes please.

Frozen Yogurt Pops from Deceptively Delicious - I've blogged about this book before (Lemon-Blueberry Muffins) because I think it's great for kids and vegetable-intolerant husbands. To make these simple summer treats, use 2 cups plain lowfat yogurt (I used vanilla), 2 cups frozen berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or cherries) thawed in the microwave for 1 minute, and 1/2 to 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar. Combine the yogurt, fruit, and sugar in a blender or food processor and process until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze.

How to Beat A Hot Day; Or...May in the Central Valley

Yesterday was a hot one. After a very quick trip to the park and nearly getting our bums burned on the slide, Emily and I decided a different choice would be better. So, we hit up Sonic Drive-In's 2-4 Happy Hour for some refreshing cold treats. Emily opted for the usual Cherry Slush, while I indulged in a large Diet Dr. Pepper (with the good, crunchy ice!). We ate in the car (okay, van) while Jake slept and blasted some good ol' country music.

Best part: Making our toddler smile.

Second best part: it cost me under $2.00.

Copper, Wool, Brass, or Desk Sets; Or...Happy 7th Anniversary, Honey

Beating the 7-year itch is hard work, but lots of fun and completely worth it! We cannot believe how the time has flown. Ryan brought home these beauties for me (opting out of the traditional desk set or wool blanket...good choice, hun!) for our seventh anniversary.

We enjoyed a nice (kid-free) dinner at Max's Bistro, including a Blueberry Euphoria Martini, Sweet Potato Fries with Jalapeno-Arugula Aioli, and some tasty red meat! We talked about hitting up a second restaurant to get some Bananas Foster (our traditional special occasion dessert originating from Scotch & Sirloin in Ventura, prepared table-side...so tasty!), but a quick mention to our waiter and out he came with the magnificent meal-ender.

Here's to us, babe. Through the years...

A Toddler's Work

How to turn a simple lunch of macaroni & cheese, pretzels, peanut butter, and blackberries into this:

Step One: Remove pretzels from tray.
Step Two: Mix Mac & Cheese into peanut butter.
Step Three: Eat Up!

Before I Was a Mom

BEFORE I WAS A MOM
Author Unknown

Before I was a Mom
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom,
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was Mom
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words of lullabies.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on
Pooped on
Spit on
Chewed on
Peed on
Or pinched by tiny fingers

Before I was a Mom

I had complete control of:
My thoughts
My body
And my mind.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child
So that doctors could do tests
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
When I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
Could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
Could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes

to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth
The joy
The love
The heartache
The wonder
Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.