written August 31, 2011
week seven
Baby is the size of a blueberry today!
I've been reading three books since I became pregnant:
1. What to Expect When You're Expecting
2. I'm Pregnant (super cool pictures)
3. Healthy Baby, Healthy Mom (and Journal)
In What to Expect When You're Expecting, the author suggests eating a little bit of trail mix every time I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Yes, seems weird. I didn't even snack that much in college...well, okay, I'd basically eat a full order of cheese breadsticks...
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Mother Truckin' Hormones - Month 2
written August 29, 2011
week 7
The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about...
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Fresh Tomatoes? Now what? Salsa!
Best salsa ever!
serves as many as you want
(recipe given to me by church organist - Karen Daniels)
1 jar of already made salsa (garden fresh - she recommends Pace)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp cumin
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
3 green onions chopped
as much cilantro as you like
1 garlic clove, minced
pepper to taste
salt to taste
I had a bunch of fresh tomatoes lying around from our deck plants so I decided...
Cherry-Chipotle Chili
"Cherries are rich in anthocyanins, which can jump-start your immune system and mop up free radicals."
Cherry-Chipotle Chili
serves 4
(recipe found in Self Magazine August 2011)
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 lb lean ground turkey
3/4 tsp salt (preferably kosher)
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 medium carrots, diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 tbsp chopped garlic
1 tbsp chili powder
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
2 cups pitted black...
Rolled Lasagne
A delicious Italian dinner
Rolled Lasagne
serves 4
(recipe found in Fitness Magazine May 2011)
Rolled Lasagne
8 lasagna noodles
3 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 12-ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 ounces goat cheese
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
1 large leek, white part only, chopped
1 3/4 cups slices cremini mushrooms
1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 ounces low-fat mozzarella, grated
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4...
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
First Wave of Yuck - Month 2
written August 23, 2011
6 weeks
"I just need to go back to bed for a few minutes."
At least that's what I kept telling myself this morning as I tried focusing on Fox 9 News and the carbonated lime infused water I sipped.
My head started pounding at 3 a.m., about the same time an insane crazy thunderstorm hit. Around 3:30 I went downstairs and popped two Tylenol and ate a few crackers. I couldn't take the...
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Telling the Family - Month 2
post written August 21, 2011
6 weeks
This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart...
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Entering Month Two of Pregnancy
written August 18, 2011
5 weeks
Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point, he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm — which will later form all of his organs and tissues.
The neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — is starting to develop in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair,...
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Double Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry
A Healthy Chinese dinner
Double Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry
serves 4
(recipe found in Fitness Magazine May 2010)
Cut 3 ounces skinless chicken breast into thin strips
Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add chicken; 2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce; 2 teaspoons honey; 1 garlic clove, minced; and 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger and saute 6 minutes.
Add 2 cups fresh vegetable stir-fry mix and 1/2 cup cooked brown...
Pasta with Sausage and Red Grapes
"Red grapes contain antioxidants that combat inflammation, a main acne culprit."
Pasta with Sausage and Red Grapes
serves 4
(recipe found in Self August 2011)
6 oz mild Italian sausage, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic chopped
1 tbsp plus 1/4 tsp salt (preferably kosher), divided
2 cups seedless red grapes
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes...
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy - Month One
written August 13, 2011
4 weeks
"I know my body."
At least that's what I kept telling my husband. Then he'd laugh at me because more often than not, something opposite usually happened.
I really feel like I do know my body more than most though. I know when I'm ovulating. I know when TOM is coming (time of the month). I know when I'm getting a bad bad headache. I know when I'm about to get sick. I know when I take a drug besides Advil or Tylenol. I know what happens 20 minutes later when I eat a candy bar or drink a soda...
Preparing Body for Baby - Month One
written August 13, 2011
4 weeks
What vitamins should I be taking to get ready for baby?
I started a vitamin regime almost a year ago. I always thought I got enough nutrients from the healthy foods I ate, but was told to think again. I know these vitamins haven't been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and I learned that in college, so back then I figured vitamins were a waste of money. Wrong. They should be taken...
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Day our Life Changed - Month One
written August 10, 2011
31 days (i.e. four weeks)
I'm pregnant.
This week marks the beginning of the embryonic period. From now until 10 weeks, all of your baby's organs will begin to develop and some will even begin to function. As a result, this is the time when she'll be most vulnerable to anything that might interfere with her development. Right now your baby is an embryo the size of a poppy seed, consisting of two layers: the epiblast...
Sunday, August 7, 2011
What can I make with a Rotisserie Chicken?
Rotisserie Chicken Salad with Grapes and Apple
Serves 4 to 6
(Adapted from Whole Foods Market Recipe and I found on Snacking in the Kitchen Blog - her stuff is sooooo good and is featured in Fitness magazine a lot!!!)
This is beyond good. I will be making this over and over again!
Dressing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons poppy seeds
Salt...
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
Pasta time!
Cheesy Stuffed Shells
serves 5 to 6
(recipe found on www.kraftrecipes.com)
Cheesy stuffed shells made a great Italian dinner!
1 container (16 oz) 2% Milkfat Low Fat Cottage Cheese
1 pkg. (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1 cup Kraft 2% milk shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup Kraft grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked, drained
1 jar (26 oz) spaghetti sauce
1...
Ravioli-Vegetable Stacks
A summer lasagna
Ravioli-Vegetable Stacks
serves four
(recipe found in Better Homes and Garden online - www.bhg.com/recipes)
Layers of ravioli, cheese, tomatoes, basil and zucchini - YUM!
1 lb. frozen sausage-or meat-filled ravioli (I used cheese filled)
2 small zucchini
4 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
3 TBS olive oil
1/2 cup small fresh basil leaves
1 8-ounce pkg. shredded Italian-blend cheese (2 cups)
1. Preheat over to 425 degrees. Cook...
Friday, August 5, 2011
Get Your Foot in the Door Writing Contest
Fun Writing Contest Judged by Sourcebook Editors!
I'm participating in another writing blog contest! This is hosted by the ever-so-fabulous Gabi Lessa - one of my critique partners in crime (she always has the coolest contests). And do note that there is still time for you to sign up for the contest (ends Tuesday, August 9, 2011) if you have a completed manuscript, so go to her blog!
Below is my entry. I'd love any feedback I can get before I submit on Tuesday.
Thanks and best of luck to everyone.
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Name:...
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Writing Contest Judged by Sourcebook Editors
Yes, you read that right! Have you been looking for an opportunity to Get Your Foot in the Door when it comes to your writing? What better way than a writing contest judged by FOUR Sourcebook editors!!! And we're talking WELL-KNOWN Sourcebook editors.
If you answer yes to any of these questions, I'd for sure think about signing up.
1. Have you finished your manuscript?
2. Do you write single-title romance or women's fiction?
3. Do you write Young Adult?
4. Do you write commercial literary fiction (contemporary and historical)?
5....
