Girlfriends' Guide to Baby Gear - Month 5

week 20 I think my friends on Facebook and Twitter were getting annoyed with me asking for the best strollers and baby products out there. Finally two friends suggested I go out and get The Girlfriend's Guide to Baby Gear by Vicki Iovine. So I did. Okay, great advice. This book has been wonderful because after reading it, I realized there are many things I don't need. Plus, things I thought I needed that are totally not safe (i.e....

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Triple Tomato Orzo

Triple Tomato Orzo serves 4 recipe found in Health Magazine, May 2011 (recipe developed by Nadia G, host of Bitchin' Kitchen) I used red bell peppers instead because they were on sale! 1 cup dried orzo 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 garlic clove, minced 1 small red onion, minced 1 red chile, minced 1 (14.5-ounce) can whole tomatoes 12 sun-dried tomatoes, minced 4 basil leaves, torn 1/4 teaspoon brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 6...

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Chicken Couscous

Chicken Couscous serves 4 recipe found in Fitness Magazine, October 2011 Chicken Couscous 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 cup sliced almonds 3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, fat trimmed, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 bunch scallions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced 1 zucchini, cut in half lengthwise and thinly sliced 2 carrots, cut in half lengthwise and thinly...

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Spinach-Tomato Pasta Shells

Spinach-Tomato Pasta Shells serves 4 recipe found in Health, July/August but developed by Guy Fierie (host of three Food Network shows)  Spinach-Tomato Pasta Shells (sooo good)  3/4 pound whole-wheat medium pasta shells 1 tablespoon butter 1 thinly sliced shallot 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth 1/4 cup half-and-half 1/4 cup grated pecorino Romano cheese 1/2 teaspoon black...

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Introducing Your Dad - Month 5

week 19 Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. The hair on her scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to...

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Registering for Baby - Month 5

week 18 Head to rump, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, although he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.  (info...

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Pumpkin Swirl Brownies

I'm not quite a baker but these were excellent (and kind of good for you too...the real pumpkin part!) Pumpkin Swirl Brownies serves 16 recipe found on Babble.com - I think it's a Martha Stewart recipe Pumpkin Swirl brownies....ummm...yum 1/2 cup butter 6 oz (6 squares) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped (or 1 cup chocolate chips) 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 3/4 cups sugar 4 large eggs 1 Tbsp vanilla 1...

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Pork Loin with Apple-Cranberry Chutney

This was my favorite recipe of the week. Maybe even month. SO GOOD! Pork Loin with Apple-Cranberry Chutney serves 8 recipe found in Health Magazine - October 2011 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 (2 1/2-3 pound) boneless pork loin 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 slices reduced-sodium bacon, sliced into 3/8-inch thick pieces 1 medium leek, halved lengthwise and sliced into 1/2-inch-thick pieces (1 cup) 3 medium apples, peeled, cored...

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Fettuccine with Shrimp, Garlic and Broccoli

Fettuccine with Shrimp, Garlic and Broccoli serves 4 recipe found in Fitness Magazine - November/December 2011 - by Anna Berman 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 medium sweet onion, diced 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes 4 garlic gloves, thinly sliced 3/4 pound frozen medium shrimp, thawed 8 ounces whole-wheat fettuccine 3 cups broccoli florets 1. Heat...

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Healthier Holiday Fish

Christmas Cod serves 4 recipe found in Shape - December 2010  Christmas Cod....so many good flavors! 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided 1 medium onion, diced 1 carrot, peeled and diced 1 celery stalk, diced 1 white turnip, peeled and diced 1 parsnip, peeled and diced 2 cloves garlic, minced, divided 1⁄4 teaspoon pimenton (smoked paprika) 1 bay leaf 1 15-ounce can cannellini (white kidney) beans, drained and rinsed...

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Healthy Taco Salad

Flat-Belly Recipe that Packs a Punch Taco Salad serves 4 (depending how much you make...below might be just one serving) recipe found in Women's Health - December 2010 Yummy taco salad - healthy too! 4 oz lean ground turkey cooked with taco seasoning 1/4 cup black beans 2 Tbsp salsa 1 1/2 cups chopped romaine lettuce 1/4 cup chopped yellow peppers 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes 2 Tbsp guacamole Mix together and serve Karl's reaction:...

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Hearing the Heartbeat Round II - Month 5

week 17 Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop. I'm now entering month five!!! So crazy. And I've gained close to...

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Chunky Bean and Chicken Chili

Another not super healthy recipe, but Karl and I love this one, especially when it's cold out. It packs lots of flavor. Chunky Bean and Chicken Chili serves 4 recipe found in Better Homes and Garden I love this recipe! 3 cups tortilla chips 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut in bite-size pieces 2 teaspoons cooking oil 2 19 ounce cans cannelini beans, rinsed and drained 6 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese with...

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Ham Dinner to Split Pea Soup in the Slow Cooker

Karl and I had a tasty ham dinner and then I took the bone and extra meat and made split pea soup in the slow cooker! Delicious. From this.... Healthy ham dinner Slow Cooker Split Pea Sausage (I used ham...) Soup Serves 6-8 recipe found on All Recipes 1 pound dried split peas 10 cups water 1 pound smoked sausage of your choice, sliced (i used ham and ham bone) 5 cubes chicken bouillon 1 1/2 cups chopped carrot 1 cup chopped celery 2 potatoes,...

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Seared Pork Tortas

A nice little sandwich, except don't do what I did and burn the baguette. I had to improvise with buns! Seared Pork Tortas 4 servings recipe found on My Recipes Don't burn the bread.... 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon salt 6 (2-ounce) boneless center-cut pork loin chops (1/4 inch thick) 1 (12-ounce) baguette, cut in half horizontally 1/2 cup canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained 2 tablespoons refrigerated...

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Orzo with Roasted Vegetables

A bit of a pain to make, but Karl and I love this recipe. It's really fresh tasting and makes our house smell really good when all the veggies are roasting in the oven. Orzo with Roasted Vegetables serves 6 recipe found online (Better Homes and Garden) Love this stuff. Who would've thought eggplant could taste so good? 1 small eggplant, peeled and 3/4-inch diced 1 red bell pepper, 1-inch diced 1 yellow bell pepper, 1-inch diced 1...

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Chicken Enchiladas

Okay...okay....not the healthiest but these are so GOOD and serve a ton of people! My church usually makes these during Lent. Chicken Enchiladas serves 12 recipe from Barb Halverson and Jim Wright (Transfiguration Lutheran Church members) Best chicken enchiladas on the planet 1 (20 oz.) package of chicken breasts (I use a rotisserie chicken) 1/2 onion, chopped 1 (10-3/4 oz.) can cream of chicken soup 1 (19-oz.) can of enchilada sauce 1...

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Roasted Salmon Recipe - Mediterranean

Mediterranean Salmon serves 2 recipe found in Snacking in the Kitchen blog Awesome salmon recipe Olive oil 2 4-6 ounce salmon fillets (skin removed and wild over farm raised) Salt and pepper to taste 1 tomato, diced 1/2 red bell pepper, diced 10 green olives, roughly chopped 1 shallot, finely diced 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced fresh dill 1 lemon, sliced 2-4 tablespoons of wine (I used Sauvignon Blanc) Directions 1. Preheat oven...

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Getting My Workout Groove Back - Month 4

week 16 Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length . Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. (info found at babycenter.com) This must be the time when my belly really starts growing if little K is going to hit his/her growth spurt...

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