Let the baby food making continue...

I have done well with this little project. I have steamed and pureed apples, butternut squash, pears and carrots. I think these were all pretty easy. I frozen them in an ice cube tray, and they are now sitting in the freezer. Each little portion ready to warm up in a few seconds, either under hot water, or in the microwave.

How does Jocelyn like it? She loved it! So far she has had the carrots, but she is an eater! So different than her big sis. She kicks her little feet in anticipation between each bite (see the top picture.) She has also had some prunes for a little natural remedy. Just sticking with the oatmeal alone was causing a little constipation. So she ate 1 meal of prunes with rice for about 4 days. Then we did 4 days of carrots. Next I think we are going to do squash for a few days.

My next plan is to add in some green veggies. Spinach and/or green beans. I have the whole "rainbow" mentality in my plan. We'll see how it goes. I will also be feeding her fresh bananas, and fresh avocados.

Side note: Stuck indoors on this snow day has been fun, but I am getting a little antsy. I want to get out there, but I don't want to be unsafe. So, I will stay inside. I will plan my meal plan for the next two weeks. I am going to start doing more healthy things that I can track calories. I am back to using www.sparkpeople.com to track my total calories. I did pretty well last week. I don't track calories on the weekend, I just try to watch portion control and sweets on the weekends. I did this last time, and it worked out great. I am going to use www.eatingwell.com to plan meals again.

Lately, my meal plan has revolved around coupons. That tends to lead to a lot of processed stuff. I will incorporate a mixture of both, and see how that works out. Meal planning takes just a few minutes, and a list of what you need to buy at the store. I love it, and do it all the time. It makes it so easy when I walk in the door knowing what we are having that night. I also have it listed to my Google calendar, color coded, and it syncs to my Android phone. So, I always know what we are going to have. I just look at it quickly, and pull out some meat to defrost, and voila! We have a winner.

Blog follower challenge: What's your favorite meal? Do you plan ahead? If you could change 1 thing about your eating habits what would it be?

Making my own baby food...

As my blog title suggests...I am starting something new. Again.

For some reason this seemed daunting, like "Who do I think I am? I have no time, not enough storage etc. etc. Well the more and more I read about it, the more excited I got about it. I already plan our family meals, so what's a few extra veggies that I can steam/bake while cooking dinner? Nothing. Easy peasy.

My plan:
Each week prepare 1 fruit and 1 veggie. Then when Jocelyn is ready to start, I have a good supply.

She isn't eating ANY fruits and veggies just yet. We started her on rice cereal on January 12th, and started oatmeal this past Saturday. This is for two reasons. 1. She is a VERY hungry girl. It was going to start soon, so why not now? 2. There is a learning curve for a baby to learn to eat. I feed her about 1-2 teaspoons of cereal at dinner time when the rest of us sit down at the table to eat. I feel good about this because it starts a very good habit of all of us eating together. We go back and forth on this. In a perfect world we would eat dinner at the table together every night. We usually do it at least 5 times a week. Sometimes on the weekends we eat in the living room while watching a movie. Or just eat at different times. I am VERY pleased that during the week we all get to visit and check in with each others day. But I digress.

I read a lot at different websites about the who, what, when, where, why and how's of baby food. The very basic techniques, the warnings about nitrates, and the suggested ages for babies to eat certain things. It's been 7 years since I last looked into baby food stuff and I forgot a lot. My favorite website is www.wholesomebabyfood.com. Nothing fancy, just the ins and outs of baby food. Making. Storing. Tips.

I wrote out a list of what I wanted to do, and voila! I started tonight. I figured I would start with something fairly easy. Carrots. I went to Sam's and bought a huge bag of organic carrots. I don't always buy organic, just here and there when it seems to make sense. I also bought Gala apples. These weren't organic, but I will wash them good, and peel them. I think that will be fine enough to be "safe."

I first washed the baby carrots then put them in a large pot with lots of water, and turned on the stove. After they were cooking I went ahead and read the website again to make sure I didn't miss anything or forget anything. Organic? Check. Stick Blender? Check. Ice cube trays? Check. All seems good. Then I reread the part about steaming the carrots, and not boiling them. Oh well, close enough. Steamed carrots apparently are better because they retain more nutrients. I'll remember that for the next time.

After the carrots were fork tender I drained them. Retaining about 3-4 oz of the cooking water. I let it cool a few minutes. Then I took the stick blender and blended away. Stopping about every minute to give the batch a stir and check for lumps. All good. About 5 minutes later I was done. I transferred the puree into a large Ziploc bag. Snipped off the corner, and filled each cube in the two trays. 24 cubes later...and my bag was nearly empty. Not a bad estimate of how much I would need and not a lot waste.

I bought specific baby food ice cube trays. I liked them because they had a lid that sealed the tray, thus protecting them from things falling in the food or accidentally getting spilled because they got knocked over.

Rinsed off the dishes, loaded them in the dishwasher and less than an hour later I was done. An hour? Really? Well, it might have been about 45 minutes, but that was just the waiting for the carrots to be done, a little more waiting for the carrots to cool and washing up the dishes.

Tomorrow I will pop the cubes out of the tray. Transfer them into a Ziplock freezer bag. Label it with the date and "Carrots." The move on to apples.

My plan for the apples. Wash. Peel. Core. Cut into cubes. Place in pan. Add water to just cover the apples. Then cook until fork tender. Puree. Transfer to Ziploc bag, pipe into ice cube trays. Freeze.

Two days = 24 servings of carrots, 24 servings of fruit.

Dusted off the treadmill...

I can't remember the last time I was on the treadmill. I got it two years ago. For the first year I had it I used it a lot and it helped me lose 45 lbs. I was feeling GREAT!! Then BAM! I got pregnant last Christmas and took a long break from working out. Over a year since its been used. There its been right in my room. Collecting dust. I told myself I would use it pregnant. I never did. I told myself I would start right after the baby was born, never did. Now, 3 months later, I FINALLY plugged it in.

I have a long journey to complete and starting near the holidays isn't always the easiest thing to do, but my philosophy is better to start now and lose vs. gain more and have a bigger mountain to climb. From now until December 23rd, I will be on "a diet." Then I will allow myself a little bit of splurging, and then get right back on it again.

Where am I now? Well I currently weigh 5 lbs more than I weighed right after I had Jocelyn. So, I am heading in the wrong direction. That is only 15 lbs away from the most I have ever weighed. (A number I am keeping a secret until I feel comfortable to reveal.) I have done it before and I can do it again. I have never done this journey with a newborn, and never tried to lose weight while still nursing a baby, but those are obstacles I believe I can accomplish one way or another.

Why am I telling you? Well, I feel that if I am open and honest with my journey that maybe someone(s) will join me on it too. Also, by making a commitment to a group of people who are in and around all parts of my life I have to be real. I can't go ahead and post this blog about my weight loss, and then go into work tomorrow with a double-patty with extra cheese, a strawberry shake and large fries.

What's my commitment to myself? I will eat approximately 1700 per day, and work out for at least 30 minutes 3 times per week. I talked with Danny and he is going to help me stick to my commitment.

How am I doing this? I added an app to my phone (btw - I hate the word app. Is it really that hard to say APPLICATION?) to help me track my calories and track my workouts, weight loss, etc. This week my goal is to control my breakfast and lunch, and make it to the 3 workouts. Dinner is usually a little harder for me to figure out calories unless I put a lot of work into it. So, I am saving that for my accomplishment for next week or the week after.

What am I most worried about? Lots. I am worried about not sticking to it. Getting down on myself about food choices I make. Not working out because "I don't have time." Being tired. If you haven't noticed I love food. I just need to remind myself that there are alternatives for everything. Instead of indulging in a banana split with all the toppings, get a small serving of a smarter choice. Instead of a spaghetti dinner with garlic bread, lots of cheese, etc. I will choose whole wheat pasta and add more veggies instead of cheeses.

Well...I did 30 minutes on the treadmill tonight. I think I went about 1.5 miles in that time. 1/2 way through I hit the safety magnet and reset the darn clock. I usually do that when I am jogging, and it really ticks me off!!!!! I will take 1 day of rest and then try to workout again on Wednesday. I may even try to get in the gym at work and do some weights tomorrow. I think that really helped me last time. So here we go. Let the journey begin!

FLYing through...Day 3.

So yesterday I got tons and tons of stuff done. I read on FLYlady that you aren't supposed to do too much because you will get burnt out. I am going to try to focus on my routines and keep a shiny sink. Its shiny RIGHT now!! YAY.

I just tried to take a picture of my shiny sink, but for some reason the camera didn't like how shiny it was. The flash was messing up, and after about 5 minutes I gave up. I will figure it out and post a shiny sink pic.

I am late in starting my morning routine. I am dressed, but haven't put on my make-up. I need to make the bed and "swish and swipe." It shouldn't take me long. The baby was up a lot last night, so I have a morning routine that has turned into an afternoon routine, but I will get it done.

Its so comforting having a plan in place to tackle things at a controllable pace. Instead of looking at the mountain of things that need to be done. I just put the baby down for a nap. In her REAL crib. First time in the big crib. When she was still in that awake, but sleepy state I turned on her little music thingy and she seems to be asleep. I don't want to crack the door to peek, just in case she isn't.

Yesterday: I did some laundry. I swept and mopped the kitchen. Shined the sink, of course. I did some general pickup around the house. I cleaned toilets and bathroom counter tops.

If you are following FLYlady this week is Zone 3. Bathrooms and 1 other room. My 1 other room is going to be Maia's room. We need to donate some stuff out of her closet. That will make it so much neater in there. I mean really how many blankets and pillows does 1 kid need?? And clothes? I know there is some stuff in there that she has outgrown. Time to purge!

In the bathrooms today I am going to focus on the drawers and get rid of old stuff that has been hanging around.

Last night, I created my "Control Journal" and I am working through the things for Wednesday. These things are: Weekly Home Blessing (vacuuming, dusting, cleaning mirrors, emptying the trash and wash sheets.

A little more about the control journal: This is RIGHT up my alley. I love a list, and this list encompasses SO many things. I also have my Menu Plan in this same 3-ring binder. I think I will also put our calendar in this book. Then everything I need is RIGHT there. This is like my "perfect" plan.

www.flylady.net - If you want to find more about the plan that I am following to balance cleaning, menu planning and life please visit this site.

I know that I am only one person, and I can't do it all. But if I make lofty goals to try to get it done, and do this with organization I will be better than I was before. Well, time to swish and swipe and put on a little make-up. ;)

Newest, latest and greatest "project"

Starting something new again.

I have decided to take a stab at keeping the house clean and organized. I don't do a "bad" job necessarily, but I know I can do better (as I stare at my closets that need to be cleaned, and dusting that hasn't been done in ages). I am taking some advice from "FlyLady," http://www.flylady.net/. Which I found via a Facebook link from Jill...thanks Jill!! So it appears I am a FlyBaby. I have just read a little bit of the website. I am just taking some tips and suggestions from it and tweaking it to fit the ever-changing lifestyle of Lisa.

The gist: plan a cleaning schedule, stick to it, and don't try to do it all in one day. Seems like there is a daily task to accomplish to organize your house and eliminate chaos.

Day 1 (Sept 14, for me) - Shine your sink!! I can do that. Seems like an easy day 1, and I just shined my sink YESTERDAY....so I could be ahead of the game, but I will "play nice" and shine my sink tomorrow.

I cheated and looked ahead to Day 2, and that is just to make sure you get ready in the morning, which I do anyway. So I cheated again, and read Day 3. This seems to be when it starts. I am about to log in and find out the rest of it, and I will keep you posted. If you decided to join me on this journey, keep me posted on how you are doing.

Update on Food Plan (previous project): This was the best idea ever!! Jocelyn is 19 days old, and I still have frozen meals left. With generous friends that also gave us some meals, we ate for days and days and I have barely had to cook a thing. It has been wonderful and relaxing not to think about food, but at the same time I miss it too. My freezer still has meals in there, but I am now mixing in a few of my own cooked meals with the already prepared meals, but being able to warm something up on a whim is GREAT vs. trying to plan and prepare something when I feel like I don't have much time.

Heath and Fitness: Prior to being pregnant I had worked hard to lose about 43 lbs. I put on 34 pounds over the last 9 mos, and I want to get back to being fit and healthy. I am not exactly sure how to do this while maintaining the calories I need for breastfeeding, but I joined a site today http://www.babyfit.com/. Its a place to track calories and a workout routine with cardio and strength training. While I haven't been given the "green light" from the doctor yet, I am going to start tracking my food, water and vitamins, and work in some light strength training and cardio. Its free, and is a great way to put down what you have eaten. This is by the same creators of SparkPeople, but is specifically geared towards pregnant/breastfeeding women. Since having the baby I have lost 16 lbs. Which of course is mostly the baby and her previous "room" she housed, but its a start. I do feel extra round at the moment, but I know that will change as soon as I start actually working on it.

In a perfect world I see this in my future: A mother of 2 (done), married to a great man (done), trying to find a balance between work and family while maintaining a healthy lifestyle, a clean house, and the crazy schedule of a newborn and a busy 6 year old with many school activities.............

The more I think about all of it.......the more I worry that I can't do it. I am going to try to take it day-to-day and not stress about it. Who REALLY cares if there is laundry in the laundry room and a floor that hasn't been swept? In the end, I will not be judged by how clean my house is, or how organized my food plan is, but to me its important. I want to set and example for my daughters that it can be done if you want it bad enough. I want them to know that if you make a plan, and do everything you can to stick to it you can accomplish anything you want.

So, back to Day 1: I will shine the sink! I also will feed the baby every 3 hours, find Maia's cheer clothes, do some laundry, and some generla pick-up/cleaning of the house. Maia's school lunch is already packed, and her clothes are ready for school tomorrow. The baby is due to eat in an hour, she is happily sleeping. Then I will hope that she sleeps well tonight so I can maintain this mental momentum to start tomorrow off with a BANG!!

Altering the plan a tad...

I believe earlier in my posts I wanted to be "done" with the plan by the end of the month. Well, I got a little side tracked(family visiting, Maia was sick, birthday parties), but...I am ready to hit the ground running to finish up in my original time plan. Its July 21st, so I have 10 days to finish up. I only have 4 meals left to make. No big deal. At least, that's what I am telling myself.

I have completed the lasagna, chili, spaghetti bake, and the chicken and bean enchiladas. That leaves me with Beef Stew, Chicken Noodle Soup, Chicken Mexican Casserole and Pulled Pork with BBQ sauce.

I have a good start on the proteins for the meals. I have beef, pork, and chicken for the Mexican casserole already. So, I just need to get a chicken for the chicken noodle soup. I will just add that to the meals for next week, and POOF... RIGHT back on track.

I keep telling myself reasons why I haven't "kept up" with the plan, but really...those reasons don't matter, and I am going to wish them away. They are negative excuses that are weighing me down. I still have plenty of time. When you look at the "big picture" one could say I am ahead of the game, since, so far, many of my meals have made more portions than I expected.

That reminds me, I need to pick up some more disposable Glad OvenWare. I ran out. I am about to make my meal plan for next week. We have some leftovers from some family gatherings, we will just eat those this week, so they don't go to waste. I will be creative and think of a way to re purpose them. I am getting a little tired of sandwiches...my pantry is filled with odds and ends. If I come up with anything good, I will blog about it.

Monday 7/26: Beef Tacos

Tuesday 7/27: Grilled chicken with side of fresh fruit

Wednesday 7/28: Hot Ham and Cheese Subs (new must-have pregnancy thing)

Thursday 7/29: Pork Chops with Apple Bourbon Glaze (getting a little fancy), with Rice.

Friday 7/30: Lemon Pepper Scallops with Rice Pilaf and side salad

Wow, I am excited about my menu already! I want those scallops now. HA! Well I have included a shot of my grocery list, and what it looks like. Please ignore the handwriting...

Now I will work on cooking tomorrow and/or Friday night, at least 1 meal on the list, while we eat leftovers. Guess I should pull out the pork and the beef to defrost. Then this weekend I will try to tackle two or three more, then I will be pretty much done. Then its time for the baby shower, and preparing for this tiny little bundle of joy. I am a very lucky woman. I have a wonderful husband and a fantastic daughter. They both really appreciate me, and I them. I have a supportive family, and learn something each and every day. My family is extensive - Aunts. Uncles, cousins. Some I talk to very often. I truly appreciate them and everything they taught me about love and life, the good the bad, and the ugly. My mother is very good to me, and to Maia. I know she is super excited about her 8th grand baby that is due sometime next month. Thanks to everyone, I love how you have impacted my life.

Wow...guess that was some pregnancy mushy gushyness...but...its all true! :)

Mmmmmm lasagna!

I made the lasagna and it turned out perfect! Here is the recipe I used, slightly adapted from my Mom's recipe. Which I will say is my favorite. I am getting better!!!

Ingredients:
1 package of hot sausage links (6 links total).
1 lbs ground beef
1 large package on baby Portobello sliced

2 cans of tomato sauce - my favorite is the Garlic & Herb by Hunts, the one way down at the bottom and usually the cheapest.

1 package of lasagna noodles (not cooked)

1 large container of cottage cheese
1 C Parmesan cheese
1 C shredded mozzarella
2 eggs

I made a "red sauce" with the meat and mushrooms, and a "white sauce" with the cheeses and eggs. Here is what I did exactly.

Red sauce:
1 C of water into large skillet. Add sausages. Cook 5 min on one side, 5 min on the other side while covered on medium-high heat. Then remove the cover, and toss most of the liquid. Cook another ten minutes total, turning 1/2 way until both sides are browned. Then remove from pan, leave the delicious goodness on the bottom of the pan. Add the ground beef. Add oregano, salt and pepper (to taste). Slice the sausages. When brown, add mushrooms, and cover again. Leave covered until mushrooms are done, add back in the sliced sausages. Then I let it cook for another 2-3 minutes to cook-off some of the liquid. Add 1 can of tomato sauce.

White sauce:
Mix 3 cheeses and 2 eggs. Add oregano and pepper. I didn't add any salt here since there were so many cheeses. This should be a pretty thick sauce.

Layering in 13x9 pan:
I put 3 large scoops of white sauce on the bottom. Maybe 1 cup total (it didn't cover the bottom completely). Then added uncooked noodles lengthwise. 3 long ways and 1 to finish off the end. Next I added a 1/2 of the red sauce, topped with 1 cup of white sauce. Add more noodles in the opposite direction. Add the second 1/2 of the meat sauce, and the last of the cheese. Top with noodles in the same directions as the first layer. Shake on more Parmesan cheese, then add 1 full can of tomato sauce to the very top. Shake down the sauce so its fully covered all over. Top with mozzarella. Cover with foil. Cook covered in foil for 1 hour. Then cook uncovered for 25 min or so. Until the top is golden and a little crunchy. Let sit for AT LEAST 30 min before you cut it.

Voila! The lasagna smelled SOOOOO good cooking, I couldn't resist cutting myself a slice. This was a good 3 hours from start to finish...(and the kitchen isn't clean yet). I can think of a million ways to change this up. Using spinach in the white sauce, using chicken instead of beef, etc. I am sure with the right selections, you could make a healthier version with fat free cheeses, more veggies, etc. If you don't like sausages or mushrooms, omit those, add your favorite veggies. You can use ricotta in the white sauce if that's what you have or like. I prefer the cottage cheese. I like the texture and the moisture it adds. I might to to make another one with more veggies. I love zucchini in tomato sauce, so maybe I will make up something to do with zucchini....but I am getting ahead of myself. I have a plan, and I am doing our best to stick to it.

Danny ended up eating a late lunch today, so I didn't make the Chicken Mexican casserole, but I will make it tomorrow. No reason I can't "rearrange." I have to learn to be flexible.

Well those dishes aren't going to wash themselves....