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I am a certified nutrition and wellness consultant, but I am not a doctor or a R.D. Everyone's nutritional needs are different, for specific medical questions please contact your doctor.
Product Review of the Week Get ready for a great review of 18 Rabbits Granola Bars!
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Last night, Two nights ago, our friends Levi and Alexis came over for dinner. We decided to cookout because it was so nice out (60 and sunny!)! After school and a meeting I dragged Brady on a 3 mile walk with me. We walked quickly and chatted about what else we needed to do before Baby H gets here. While walking, we could smell the delicious smells of grills cooking – YaY for spring and summer!
When Levi asked what they could bring for dinner, I went out on a limb and said salad. Levi is the most meat and potatoes guy I know, so I wasn’t sure how it was going to be. He is a good cook though, so I had confidence he would bring something that tasted good – and if nothing else – he would bring a bowl of lettuce and I would still be happy.
When they arrived, Alexis said that he was freaking out that I asked him to bring the salad because it’s not really his thing. He didn’t know what to make and was nervous because I always put “fruit and shit” (his words, not mine) in the salad. She told him to get on his iPhone and find a recipe.
I am now obsessed with Levi’s salad! I will post he recipe, but let me tell you – it was AMAZING! I tend to stick to the same things, so I am not sure I would have made this but it is going to be my new summer go-to salad!
Wait until you see the recipe – it is not just an ordinary spinach salad!
I made a burger accessory platter.
I carmelized some onions on the grill ( for a little too long apparently) by chopping them up and coating with olive oil cooking spray and a Cajun seasoning my brother gave us for Christmas.
We also had grill potatoes with Cajun seasoning.
And I invented a lentil veggie burger – this tasted good but the presentation was not good. I was the only one who ate it so it didn’t matter. I think I need more liquidy things or flour or something.
The regular burgers.
Since Wednesday when they came over things have been super busy! We had a baby class last night from 6-9 and had to pack because we are headed to Cleveland and Chautauqua tonight after work! I should have some fun pictures from my shower and other fun weekend festivities! What are you doing this weekend?
Kroger $25 giftcard giveaway! Don’t forget to enter here!
The winner will be announced this weekend!  Good luck! This is a great giveaway because who can’t use some extra money for snacks and treats!
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Here is an neat and helpful article by Kathy Hester.
It can be hard to menu plan. It’s one of those things that if you don’t make time for, you just won’t get to. That’s what used to always happen to me. It really doesn’t take much time though. If you make a menu plan for the week, you’ll be amazed at the time you save by only going to the market once a week. You can also cook a few dishes ahead of time since you’ll know in advance what you’re making all week. Plus, think of all the money you’ll save by having healthy leftovers for lunch.
I think the best way to start planning is to schedule 30 – 60 minutes for it. Find a quiet place with internet access to get inspiration and a way to write everything down. Of course if you can steal 20 minutes away while you are at work, that can be even better. Don’t even have that in your schedule? You can do something like our grandmother’s did and have a certain dish for each day. You can still vary it with ideas found on sites like foodgawker.com or Epicurious.com.
Here’s one example:
- Monday – Chinese (simple stir fry or lo mein)
- Tuesday – Pasta (bottled red sauce, a homemade arugula pistachio pesto, or a slow cooker pumpkin lasagna)
- Wednesday – Vegetarian (stuffed acorn squash or black bean sweet potato chili – both from the slow cooker)
- Thursday – Mexican (quesadillas, burritos, or slow cooker enchiladas)
- Friday – Clean out the fridge soup (use up the leftover meat and vegetables before you do you weekly shop)
- Saturday – Casserole (corn bread topped chili or Shepard’s pie – these can be made in the slow cooker)
- Sunday – Soup or stew and salad (cream of broccoli and spinach goat cheese salad or a hearty slow cooker beef stew)
This is just one way to do it. Even within these wide categories you can make dishes that are quick and easy. For really busy days, cook dinner in a slow cooker while you are away at work. There’s nothing like spending 15 minutes in the morning to come home to a completely made dinner. When I serve it on my Noritake dishes, eating at home is as nice as going out.
Just plan dinners for now, you can add other meals once this becomes a habit if you want. I find that I have enough leftovers that I don’t have to think about lunches.
After the first month, you’ll find yourself thinking about your week even before you have to plan. It just becomes a part of your routine. Now if I skip planning a week, I regret it immediately. I go over budget by going to the store a few extra times and by eating out when I have to work late. So that hour of planning a week actually can save me at least 5 – 7 hours in the long run. Think of all the fun things you can do in the time you’ll save!
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Check out the Kroger Cart Buster Sale that is going on now at your nearest Kroger!
This program offers great deals on many of your favorite brands! Here is a little information from MyBlogSpark, General Mills and Kroger who are sponsoring this giveaway and this program! They have sent me a $25 gift card that I am planning on using this week to stock up on great sale products for some upcoming cookouts we have planned!
From now through March 14th, shop the Cart Buster Savings Event and find the hottest prices around on your favorite name-brand products in over 60 categories at the Kroger Family of Stores, which includes Kroger, Ralph´s, King Soopers, City Market, Dillons, Smith´s, Fry´s, QFC, Baker´s, Owen´s, Jay C Food Stores, Hilander, Gerbes, Food4Less, Pay Less Super Markets and Scott´s Food & Pharmacy.
Here are just a few of the great brands participating in the event: Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, Hamburger Helper, Yoplait, Progresso, Totino´s, Green Giant, Cascadian Farm, Tide, Charmin, Bounty, Pampers, Pantene, Crest, Iams, Febreze, Old Spice and many more!
To enter this $25 giftcard giveaway:
Leave a comment telling me what you would fill your cart with if you were to win the $25 giftcard!
Thanks Kroger, MyBlogSpark and General Mills for this great opportunity!
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Is it the weekend yet? Actually I hope it’s not here yet because I have a lot to do before then! This morning started at 5:15 for me and I made it to 6am spinning class. After a full day at school and a staff meeting that went until 5pm, I ran some errands and came home to get ready for our dinner guests!
We had dinner tonight with Katie and Kurt for Katie’s birthday tomorrow! It was a super simple because they brought Chinese over! I made sure to set out the birthday plate for Katie and a cookbook for a present!
I had the Hunan tofu which was tofu with broccoli, water chesnuts, bamboo shoots and mushrooms in a spicy sauce.
Katie had the garlic broccoli.
I didn’t take pictures of the boys’ food because it not very appealing to look at – General Tso and Peking chicken. Both fried and coated with a orangish sauce. They seemed to be good and tasty though! Everyone enjoyed it and it was nice to not have lots of dishes from cooking!
For dessert, I made oreo pie with fat free cool whip, skim milk, jello pudding and Oreos. It tasted good, but I would not say it was healthy. I should have taken a picture of the three candled cake.
On a side note:
I am totally impressed with Nuval’s rating system at Meijer! I stopped there today to grab a photobook that had been shipped there from my friend in Spain and witnessed it first hand! I can’t wait to go back with my camera and my grocery list.
Coming up:
Kroger Cart Buster Giveaway!
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So…have I mentioned that I am obsessed with Northstar. I think I have gotten my parents hooked too. After the shower Saturday we came home and put everything away and looked at it all! Then we chilled out and talked about wedding plans with Lindsey and Kevin. Finally around 7, we got a little hungry so we snacked on appetizers and had a little late happy hour. At 9, we decided we needed to go to dinner or make something substantial because carrots and crackers weren’t going to act as dinner. Instead of starting the cooking process, we went to Northstar. It seemed like a good idea because it was fast and healthy and of course, delicious!
I got some fun pictures of everyone’s meal. Nothing too new and exciting though.
Brady and my dad had the pork burrito:
My mom and I had the Northstar burger.
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And Kevin and Linds spit the Square meal (a bowl of brown rice, black beans, veggies, salsa, avocado and cheese) and the chicken basil burrito.
I was extremely happy with my choice, as always!
Sunday morning we woke up to sunshine! It was amazing! It looking like it was 80 degrees outside, when really it was about 20 degrees. Things did warm up throughout the day though! Everyone left after a breakfast of egg burritos:
The wraps were made on Flat Out Wraps and the toppings included:
- eggs
- egg whites
- salsa
- leftover Square Meal from Northstar
- brown rice
- cheese
- black beans
- corn
- fresh salsa
- a new batch of Brady’s guac
- hot sauce
I went with egg whites, salsa, beans and guac. I ended up not eating my wrap for some reason.
Brady’s burrito:
Then we spent the rest of yesterday car shopping! What a painful and exhausting process that is. We found some more SUV’s we liked but we haven’t committed to anything yet.
This week is busy with something every night! I am looking forward to it!
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Saturday was my first baby shower! My girlfriend Jen threw the shower for me and it was so nice! We had delicious food, great company, adorable gifts and so many fun treats! Her menu was perfect for a early spring lunch, and it couldn’t have been presented better! Jen is my go to girl when it comes to hostessing.
Classic Egg Salad sandwiches on sweet rolls.
Veggies and Greek Hummus
My favorite lemon bread turned into sandwiches with cream cheese in the middle. Plus this amazing raspberry shortbread cheesecake bar that I need to get the recipe to!
Chicken Salad Croissants
One of my favorite (I have a lot of favorites!) treats! Gourmet sweet popcorn from the North Market in downtown Columbus.
Amazing fruit! I could have eaten this entire bowl. This baby makes me crave fruit so much!
Jamie’s fabulous salad with blue cheese on the side so you could add your own
Pinwheels!
Duck cookie favors with the plates and silverware
Duck cupcakes made with cupcakes and donut holes for the head – so creative!
Bethany made the centerpiece. A diaper cake with lots of fun things: blankets, toys, hats, booties, outfits, and bibs!
Thanks so much Jen! We can’t wait until Hadley (3 months) and Baby H can play!
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I don’t even know where to start so I will back up to Friday night. My brother had come in from Chicago on Thursday and my parents arrived Friday night, so did Lindsey (my future sister-in-law)!! We had to celebrate their recent engagement with some fun appetizers and champagne!
 Carrots
Fresh Salsa
Brady’s famous guac.
Blueberries in our Champagne (I had some white grape juice – faux wine)
After snacks and some unpictured pizza and salad, we had baby practice time. Here is Kevin after he successfully diapered the stuffed lion.
Saturday fun at my first baby shower to come!
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Tonight was our hospital tour day! I came home from school and made dinner for my brother(who is in town for the weekend), Brady and I. It was the basic taco bar which included:
- lentils for me
- shredded chicken for the boys
- corn
- black beans
- tomato
- avocado
- lettuce
- salsa
- brown rice
Lentil Taco Meat:
- 1 c. dry lentils, cooked until tender
- 1/2 packet of taco seasoning
- 1/2 c.(ish) of water
- Cook lentils as directed. I cook mine by bringing them to a boil and then turning the heat down and letting them simmer until tender.
- Once lentils are cooked, add taco seasoning and a little bit of water. Heat lentils and seasoning and water is dissolved and lentils are a more sticky,pasty consistency.
- Serve in a taco or taco salad!
I had mine in the form of salad and Brady and Kevin had taco shells. Then we were off in different directions. Kevin headed for a meeting and Brady and I went to our tour.
The tour went well and we learned a lot about the procedures of how things go…pretty crazy!
Here is the latest pic of the belly – from last weekend, I think it has grown since then!
34 Weeks!
We have a lot to look forward to this weekend! My first shower is Saturday at my girlfriend Jen’s house and I can’t wait! Should be lots of fun pictures to share!
Happy Friday!
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I was so tired last night, I crashed at 9:00pm. That made it possible to get up and go to 6:00am spinning this morning, which I was very happy about. I made it a chaotic day at school – the kids were super wound up because it is Dr. Seuss’s birthday today! After school, I got my oil changed in my car and new wipers put on. It is like a new car – I can finally see! My old wipers would totally miss the area that I looked though so I could never see, not very safe I know.
Anyways, by the time I got home I was starving! I quickly threw some brown rice in my rice cooker. Then I took the marinated salmon out of the fridge and coated it with sesame seeds. While that cooked I made the green beans and asparagus. This was a delicious dish! I can’t wait to make it again!
Sesame Green Beans and Asparagus
- 1 bag of frozen green beans from TJ’s
- 1 bunch of asparagus cut and washed
- 1 1/2 tbl. tahini
- 3 tbsp. rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp. soy sauce (I used light)
- 1 tbsp. sesame seeds
Mix green beans and asparagus in stir fry in a frying pan or wok. While this cooks, mix tahini, vinegar, soy sauce and sesame seeds together in a separate bowl. When this is combined and the veggies are coked – pour the sauce over the veggies and cook until the sauce coats the veggies. Serve hot!
This was a great meal! I had been craving salmon for a while!
Tomorrow we have dinner plans at our neighbors and then our hospital tour on Thursday!
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When we picked out pediatrician we came up with a list of questions to ask the three we were interviewing. We had talked to friends and family about what was important in a doctor and we discussed what we wanted in a person.
Some of the things that we were looking for were:
- a doctor who has kids him/herself so they could relate to how we were feeling and what we were thinking
- a doctor with a good reputation and good credentials
- a doctor with a friendly comfortable demeanor
- a doctor that was accessible
Those were just a few of the qualities we were looking for. Some of the things we asked or researched about the doctors were:
- When and where did the pediatrician complete medical school and residency?
- How long has the pediatrician been in practice?
- What hospitals does the pediatrician have privileges at? We were looking for them to have privileges at one specific hospital.
- How soon after the baby is born will the pediatrician come to see it at the hospital?
- Is there a line at the office that I can call if I have a “new mom” question?
- What are the office hours and are there any early morning or late evening hours?
- How long in advance must you book appointments?
- Can you get in the same day if you need a sick visit?
- Is there a specific time during the day that the doctor will take phone calls, and how does the office handle your phone-in questions?
- How does the office deal with after-hours emergencies?
- Is there a 24-hour answering service that can connect you to a doctor?
- Who covers for the doctor when he/she is on vacation?
- What books does the doctor recommend for new parents to read?
- What are the doctor’s views on: sleep, vaccines, breastfeeding and other philosophies
- Is there a lactation consultant in the office?
A big question is this:
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- Does the pediatrician accept our insurance? We checked this before we set up the interviews.
We didn’t ask these questions all at once and many of them we didn’t ask at all because we found the answers to the questions on the doctor’s website or through the packet of information they gave us while we waited for the appointment.
This process was really good for us because we didn’t know where to start when picking a doctor for our baby. We met with three people and two of the three we really liked. I would have been disappointed if we picked the doctor(the one we didn’t like) and had nothing to compare it to.
Wow! We have learned so much already and we still have SO much to learn before the baby even gets here! The countdown is on…6 more weeks!
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