Yummy Tacos for Two

Eating like a celebrity now...One of Jennifer Hudson's favorite dishes

Tacos for Two
serves 2
(recipe found in Self Magazine September 2011)

1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 tsp olive oil
1 package (9 oz) Perdue Short cuts Carved Chicken Breast Strips Grilled (I used our leftover chicken from the grill)
1 clove of garlic
1/2 cup salsa
4 whole grain taco shells
1/2 cup shredded taco cheese
1 jalapeno chile, chopped

In a medium skillet, saute bell pepper in oil until soft, about 6 minutes.

Add chicken, garlic, salsa, salt and pepper; cook stirring, until heated through.

Stuff taco shelled with chicken mixture, cheese and jalapeno, if desired.

Karl's reaction: "All I taste is cilantro. I think I just like your normal ground beef tacos. It's good, but I like normal tacos."

My take: "I obviously didn't follow the recipe. I added cilantro and some chili beans. I did find myself missing taco meat."

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Porchetta-Style Pork Loin with White Beans

An Italian-inspired recipe lends deep, rich flavor to a lean cut of pork

Porchetta-Style Pork Loin with White Beans
serves 6
(recipe found in Women's Health September 2011)

2 cans cannellini beans (white beans)
juice of one lemon
1 Tbsp fennel seeds
1 1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
zest of 2 oranges
1 Tbsp olive oil
Salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
1 pork loin (about 2 lbs), preferably with a thin layer of fat still attached

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. On a cutting board combine garlic, orange zest, fennel seeds and 1 tablespoon rosemary and chop until a paste forms. Scoop it into a small bowl; add olive oil.

2. Season pork with salt and pepper, then rub it all over with the paste. (If you like, let it marinate up to four hours in the fridge before cooking.) Place pork in a roasting pan and bake until a thermometer inserted into the middle reads 155 F, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove pork from the oven and let it rest 10 minutes.

3. In a saucepan, heat beans, lemon juice, and remaining rosemary until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper. Slice pork and serve with beans.

Karl's reaction: "This is good. Love me some pork and beans." Side note: "This was even better the second day."

My take: "You have to like orange zest because I could taste it. This is different but still really tasty."

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Grilled Chicken Cutlets with Summer Succotash

A quick tasty dinner

Grilled Chicken Cutlets with Summer Succotash
serves 4
(recipe found in Health July/August 2011)

Season 4 thin chicken cutlets with 1/4 tsp salt and pepper
Grill (about 3-4 minutes each side)
Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
Add in 1 cup frozen baby lima beans, thawed
1/2 cup corn
1 pint grape tomatoes
I also added some mozzarella balls

Cook, tossing occasionally, until tomatoes burst.
Stir in 1 Tablespoon grated Parmesan
1/2 cup fresh basil  leaves, torn
Pair each portion with lemon wedges and a whole-wheat roll

Karl's reaction: "This is good. Corn is real nice and sweet to a crisp. I like that the lima beans were fried. Real nice babe."

My take: "Super easy so I will be making this again. What can I say? I love recipes with basil in them."

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A Little Consistency Please - Month 2

written September 8, 2011
8 weeks (baby is the same size as a kidney bean right now)

New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his "tail" is just about gone. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. You may be daydreaming about your baby as one sex or the other, but the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl. Either way, your baby — about the size of a kidney bean — is constantly moving and shifting, though you still can't feel it. (info from www.babycenter.com)

Three days on (feeling good), one day off (feeling bad). That's how I've been feeling lately. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were three really good days. So good that I even did a nice long walk/run. I almost felt like myself again! Plus, the weather has been gorgeous. This weather makes me so happy - well, when I get to be enjoying it. Drives me crazy that the window I look out of at the office is old, completely fogged up, home to a zillion box elder bugs...oh, and it won't open.

Then Wednesday came and I wanted to crawl into bed forever. These darn hormones are killer.

I've been eating my peanuts a couple times throughout the early morning (usually around 3:30/4:00 a.m. and again at 6:00 when I wake) so I can feel better as I'm getting ready, but yesterday nothing worked. Traffic sucked and then a crazed hawk was loose at work. Things kept getting worse and it takes a lot for me not to speak my mind. So I just smile or keep my head down.

I'm also freakin a little lot about my changing body. I haven't stepped on a scale since I was 154 pounds and I think I'm okay with that. You have to understand I've had a flat stomach for 32 years. I'm departing with something I've always had and know I might not ever have again. I've been playing volleyball since the 7th grade. I've always worked out and lifted and have taken such good care of my body - this butt sagging business is really throwing me off. And where are these veins coming from?!? Ewww! And it's only going to get worse. I know on Monday I'll be finding out my latest weight. My problem is as soon as I feel any bit of hunger pains, I become nauseous. Ugh! So then I eat because who wants to feel like they're going to throw up...especially at work?
When I do eat, I try to eat healthy - like I ate a bunch of edamame beans and blueberries and strawberries...in one sitting. And last night I grilled chicken and had tons of veggies. It's not like I'm totally going mad about fast food or grease. Ice cream....maybe. And think of the calories I'm saving without drinking alcohol or having that fatty cream in my coffee every morning! I did make Karl meet me at Olive Garden last Friday after work where I ordered even before he got there and devoured a bowl of soup and a salad. So good! And then I had some more when he got there. Yikes. I'm out of control.

I know I need to get over myself and all these stupid worries and focus on baby's health. Like I said, I don't feel like myself these days. Bad hormones! I seriously am not myself!!!! Who is this person???
Karl and I plan to talk about all our options this weekend. When I should tell work, how long I plan to take off work, will I be treated fairly once I share the news, time off, daycare - money, money, money. All that fun stuff. Rumor has it daycare providers fill up so quickly some mom's reserve their spots even before they become pregnant. Yikes. Sounds brutal out there. That's why I would love if one of us could stay at home or I had one of our parents watch our lil kidney bean. Just trying not to worry about that.

But I am super pumped about Monday. Hoping to see the heartbeat!!! Can't wait to tell my grandparents on Wednesday....and then see my parents. Hopefully we'll have some pictures to show!!!!!!! Oh, and we will be going to Edwards Apple Orchard in Illinois for apple cider donuts and hot apple cider. Mmmmmm. Life is good!

The joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you.

- John Greenleaf Whittier

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2011 Goals Revisited - More Added

Summer is nearly over, life is flying by and it's time to re-evaluate my goals and dreams for 2011, since we're well past the halfway mark. Every year goes a little faster, doesn't it? Back in January, I came up with a bucket list and a list of goals for myself. I then shared these in a blog post. I want to revisit them and see if I'm at least headed in the right direction since I feel a little lost right now. I'm a doer but I feel like there hasn't been any success checking off my checklist. And that makes me question everything.

The thing is, I know what I want. I'm going after what I want, but I feel like nothing is happening. I'd be lying if I said life hasn't been crazy, busy and I haven't been working my tail off, but those big goals are a little harder to obtain and require a lot of work. More than I ever imagined. I see now why so many people give up. But I don't want to! I want to make my dreams a reality. And I really believe they can come true, but maybe it's not on my time? I don't know...

My 2011 Goals Revisited

1. Receive representation for my book Not yet... I queried a lot beginning in February. I also heard back from several agents who requested a full or partial. This was a huge step in the right direction. In the end, I revised my entire manuscript thanks to several positive suggestions from agents. And in about a month, I resent and have received a few more requests; however, I've noticed the summer months are a little bit quieter in agent land. So I'm back to waiting and querying and praying that something works out!

In the meantime I have started writing two new books. I started one awhile back before I revised my first manuscript, and then started another one more recently. Both have potential but I really want to see where my first book goes. So this makes it hard to keep going. Will I really become a full-time writer at some point?

2. Travel somewhere new
Check! My husband and I went to Riviera Maya, Mexico in February with his family. I have been to Mexico but never the Riviera. It was truly beautiful. A super fun family vacation.

3. Start a family
We're getting there... 

4. Start a recipe portfolio/blog
Check! Every week I've been uploading a recipe or two to this blog. I've received wonderful feedback from friends, family and strangers who have tried these recipes! So thanks! It's also really pushed me to eat even healthier. Love it.

5. Get an article in a magazine
Not yet... I wrote a couple articles this winter but no dice. This is definitely something I'd like to work on again and pursue.

6. Say "no" more and do things for me
Still struggling... This is so hard for me. I feel like I'm hurting people's feelings. But time is precious and the older I get, the more I realize how I want to spend my time - I don't want to use it toward something I'm not totally emotionally, spiritually, mentally or physically invested in. When I do this, I get stretched too thin and I'm not as fun to be around.

7. Get organized
We're getting there...  We sold Karl's town home and are down to one place! Yeah!!! However, the basement is stacked floor to ceiling with boxes, collectibles and hunting gear, and the garage is getting tighter by the day. One Saturday, Karl and I sat down and watched Hoarders. That did the trick. The man with 2000+ rats was enough to send us in a cleaning frenzy and the next day we started tossing stuff. I need to do that every day though. It feels really great, but it's a lot of work. Baby steps here.

8. Stop biting my nails
That's a big no! What can I say? I'm an addict. But I'll highlight this on my new list as something I really need to work on.

9. Flush out the bad with the good
Check! I did a metal detox for a month. The first two weeks I felt like a total zombie, but once I got through the hump, I felt like myself. I didn't really see a difference so I'm not sure what to say about this? However, I do eat very healthy and have hired a trainer and really have noticed changes in my body and health. When I feel good, I feel like I can take on the world.

My new set of goals 2011
1. Receive representation for my book
2. Complete rough draft of book #2
3. Get an article published in a popular magazine
4. Start a family
5. Be happy in my career - find my niche so I can look forward to each day and stay focused
6. Let go and let God - STOP worrying so darn much
7. Start building our dream home on paper - kind of a fun project, though not expecting to move out of the townhome anytime soon
8. Find more time - (grocery shop one day out of the week, etc. etc. - find balance in all I do). I swear by the time I get home from work the night is already over.
9. STOP biting my fingernails

Do you have goals for yourself? How are you doing this year with them?

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What Can I Make with Zucchini?

My mom's famous zucchini casserole
serves 6
(recipe found in Rockford Register Star)

2 lbs. (6 cups) of zucchini, sliced
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1 cup shredded raw carrots
1 cup sour cream
1 Tablespoon instant chopped onion
1/2 cup melted butter
1 package Pepperidge Farm herb crushed seasoned stuffing mix
1 cup shredded cheese
2 cups diced cooked chicken
3 stalks of celery

1. Wash and slice zucchini and celery. Do not peel. Cook in boiling water 4-5 minutes, drain.

2. Combine soup, shredded carrots, sour cream, and instant onion. Fold squash and celery into mixture.

3. Add melted butter to stuffing mix. Reserve 2 cups crumbs and spread the remainder of crumbs in the bottom of a 12x9 inch pan. Spoon vegetable mixture over crumbs. Put diced chicken over vegetable mixture and sprinkle with shredded cheese on top. Top with remaining crumbs.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Karl's reaction: "I can't believe you haven't posted this recipe yet. I love this!"

My take: This is usually a hit with guests. They always ask for the recipe! I suggest you try it at least once!

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Almost through Month Two - Month Two

written September 4, 2011
seven weeks

The ups and downs

Me again. Dealing with hormones. So mad at them. Nothing too crazy different going on here. Yesterday was a rough day where I was confined to the couch. I started off the day making homemade waffles and cleaning up clutter around the house and thirty minutes later my body told me to cool it. Before I knew it I was feeling worn out, nauseous and ready to hit the couch like my life depended on it. And that's where I stayed most of the day.
Karl's BFF Root and his girlfriend Missy came over to all go to the Minnesota State Fair and to see Weezer in concert. I stayed behind. I felt really bad about it because I'm usually up for anything. Karl calls me his social butterfly but all I wanted to do was relax on the couch. Again I felt like my skin was crawling as I sat- I'm usually up for a run or doing something fun, but nothing. I wish I was more okay with relaxing. What is wrong with me?
Last night I made sure to eat a lot of protein and this morning I woke up feeling really great. The weather is really cool right now (66 degrees and windy) and Karl and I decided to go for a nice walk. I've done more chores around the house in a long time so I actually feel like I'm making progress. Finally! I have my moments though. I get really tired and I want to take a nap. Friends ask me to hang out and I'd rather not. It just seems like so much work. Then I start worrying about it. Will my friends think I'm a bad friend? Will I gain more weight because I'm not working out as much as I used to?
Thankfully my awesome friend Jaymie sent me an email the other day that made me sit back and go, "ah ha!" I want to share just a little piece of it: "but, i just want you to know, everything is going to be just as it should be. and it will be wonderful. if your body tells you to lay on the couch and watch tv, honor it! your body will be constantly working its ass off day and night for the next 9 months. you are building a human. hello. if that's all you do all day, that is more than you've ever done."

Perfect words of advice. And almost one more week to go until our ultrasound!!!

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