Animal Style!!

Ashley thinks we should forgo the typical pureed veggie/rice cereal first foods for In-N-Out Burger! She totally tried to jack my Double Double, Animal Style. Ummm, no - Gummy Bear! :)
But I DO think she will be ready to eat solids pretty soon!!

Done, like dinner...

Dinner.

Lately it's been a 4-letter-word around here... In light of the fact that I now have 2 kids... Holy crap!! I have 2 kids!! Also - the fact that one of them is a 4-week-old colicky mess in the evening....The name of the game is simplicity, shortcuts, and letting go. This means taking help from the store... and a more relaxed approach to things. No this isn't that "Semi-Homemade" crap.... it's real life. Anyone who knows me knows this: I love to cook! I KNOW how to cook, I just barely have the time right now. I still am using natural vs. additive-ridden, organic vs. pesticide-riddled, and I am just trying my best to keep things as balanced as I can.


Menu Monday week of May 5-9, 2008


Monday (Cinco de Mayo!)

Fish Soft Tacos (Tilapia) (Relish! Recipe)
Grilled on grill pan - Brush with Olive Oil, season with salt & pepper & grill. Squeeze lime juice on too & serve with Pepperjack Cheese
Guacamole (Trader Joes pre-made)
Chips
Refried Black Beans
Corn

Tuesday:

Thai Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Dipping Sauce (Relish! Recipe)
Sesame Sugar Snap Peas (Relish! Recipe)
Jasmine Rice (frozen, microwavable, from Trader Joes)

Wednesday:

Almond-Crusted Chicken (Relish! Recipe)
Garlic Mashed Potatoes (Packaged from Trader Joes)
Broccoli

Thursday:

Pasta

Friday: Dinner out with Dad


Also, the added challenge of trying to be as dairy-free (for me) as reasonably possible... I had an iced Soy Vanilla Latte the other day @ Starbucks... it wasn't half bad. Vanilla Rice Dream on my Kashi this morning. But, I absolutely had Cheddar cheese on my BBQ Beef sandwich yesterday, without apologies.

So, the next few weeks will probably continue to be a little tough as I/we continue our adjustment. I realized yesterday that we're still trying to run on 1 kid time. Thinking it will still only take an hour to go to the grocery stores... when in reality, it now takes easily twice that... when you factor in the baby needing to be nursed, changed, etc. Getting 2 changed, clean, dressed, and out the door, into the car... We're figuring this out... cause we're adaptable like that!

Note to self...

Red onions and pepperoncinis are officially on your "no-fly list" for the duration of this pregnancy.

Ugh. Heartburn hell.

Menu Monday Week of Jan 20-25

Sunday:

Quick Pasta with Mushrooms, onions, and Tomato Vodka Sauce (Jarred from Trader Joe's)

Monday:

Having James & Mish over for dinner...

Italian Parm Breaded Chicken (this was a special request)

Red Wine Risotto with Peas

Green Beans Sauteed with Garlic

Tuesday: Knitting Night... something quick, dunno yet

Wednesday:

Smokey Chicken Cheddar Quesadillas with Pea & White Bean "Guacamole" (Robin Miller Cookbook Recipe)

Beans/Rice/Chips/Salsa

Thursday:

Mac & Cheese with Ham (Rachael Ray cookbook Recipe)

Friday:

Dinner out with my dad

Menu Monday

Several years ago, I had an epiphany. My husband and I like to go grocery shopping together... but oftentimes we didn't have A Plan.

As in, we'd go into the grocery store after working all day. (Mistake#1)

We'd shop when we were hungry, tired, or otherwise cranky. (Mistake #2)


We'd forget what we actually had in the pantry cupboards, and end up buying duplicate items. (Mistake #3)

We'd spend $75.00 and STILL have "nothing to eat" in the house. Yup. Mistake of all mistakes.

So, for the last 4-5 years or so.... I make a meal plan each week. I used to be a lot more anal about checking the sales, coupons, etc... which stores had what... planning my list to the exact item. And, although I could do that again... I don't necessarily want to, given the whole I have a toddler, and soon to be infant situation.

We go to Trader Joes, Costco, and Safeway most weeks. We spend quite a bit on groceries each week. I mean, yesterday, we spent about $160 between Trader Joes and Safeway. But, again, I was planning on making lasagna, and then we were having friends over, so we bought extra beer. :) Still, Travis and I have breakfast, lunch, and snacks at home every day during the week... and we eat at home most nights, except for the occasional lunch out - or the more frequent - pizza for dinner.

I really do enjoy cooking... as anyone who knows me can attest. My lasagna is renowned... and if not restrained, Jeff could probably eat 1/2 a pan in one sitting.... although not without facing severe consequences later.

My challenge is that right now, especially... I am really exhausted... so I want mostly no-fuss recipes, with lots of flavor... but that Travis will also eat.

So this week... here is my menu... we shop on Friday or Saturday most weeks, so this week my menu starts on Sunday:

Sunday: Lasagna/Garlic bread/Salad

Monday: Herb Roasted chicken with garlic and lemon/ rice/ broccoli

Tuesday: Mexican with black beans, spanish rice, chips & salsa

Wednesday: Hammy Mac & Cheese/ Salad

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Usually dinner out with my dad @ Chili's.

Saturday: Out of town @ in-laws

Life is sweet!

Dinner for 2 at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena: $185.00 including tip.
Suite at a really nice hotel with HUGE bathtub in Napa: $339.00
Flosty Gritter Bubble Bar from Lush, resulting in bubbliest bubble bath EVER: $6.00

First night away together since Travis was born, with free and GREATLY appreciated babysitting from (wonderful) Grandma?

Priceless!

Food is good, mmkay?! :)

We had a lovely romantic anniversary dinner out... and a wonderful Halloween with Travis. Pictures on Flickr of H'ween!

It was definitely nice to have dinner at a place with no crayons on the table! We went to one of our favorite Italian places in downtown called Cibo.

We had a super-yummy dinner. I even had a glass of merlot with dinner. While 4 and nearly 1/2 months pregnant! Shocking! Scandelous! Arrest me now!

Sue me, I'm Italian! I didn't even feel a little tipsy. :p

We had:

ANTIPASTO MISTO
calamari fritti, crab cake, bruschetta, grilled prawn, half an artichoke (grilled on a wood grill, and topped with chopped tomatoes, basil, and olive oil)

SPAGHETTI DELLA CASA (me)
Pasta straws, baby shrimp, with a pesto vodka cream sauce (holy crap it was yummy!!)

TAGLIATELLE BOLOGNESE (Jeff)
Thin pasta ribbons with a rich tomato meat sauce, and a side of their house-made italian grilled sausage.

Neither of us had room for dessert, and I ended up taking half of my pasta home and had it for lunch yesterday. Helloooo heartburn!

Last night we (well - I) carved our pumpkin, and we took Travis out Trick-or-treating. My dad came with us, and we went out to Papa Chanos for dinner.

Travis had fun.... but the neighborhood we went to, even though it was really good last year, was mostly dark. Maybe we started out too late? I don't know. He didn't get that much loot, but he had fun. :)


We went to the grocery store today, and got some 1/2 off candy anyway. We are... I mean the kid is set. :)

Travis didn't want to wear his costume last night at first, but he got into character (Superman!) and the first thing he asked for this morning was to put his costume back on. And, yes, he wore his costume almost all day. Even to the grocery store. I t was a nice diversion, considering I didn't get a chance to shower this morning. Instead of looking at my and my oily hair, people were smiling and paying attention to the cute kid in the cart instead! Endearing and cute? Yes. BUT, we'll see how that flimsy costume holds up over the next week, though. Yikes!

Right now, I am making a yummy pot roast in my slow cooker. I am using a recipe from my "Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook!"


I am also going to roast fingerling potatoes, baby yams, pearl onions, cauliflower, zucchini, carrots, parsnips, and turnips - really simply with olive oil, garlic, and salt and pepper. Yummy!

"Our Best Pot Roast with Roots"
from "Not your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook"
Use medium oval or large round or oval slowcooker
Serves 4-6
Setting & Time Low for 8-9 hours


2 T olive oil, or more as needed
1/2 cup finely diced carrot
1/2 cup finely diced celery (including some leaves)
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1/2 cup finely diced turnips

3 lb boneless chuck roast, trimmed of all visible fat, patted dry
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/2 cup dry red wine
3/4 c. water

In large, heavy skillet, heat 1 T of the olive oil, over medium-high heat. Cook the veggies, stirring a few times, until softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker.

Heat the remaining 1T oil in the same pan, and add the chuck roast. Cook until well- browned, about 3 minutes per side. Add another bit of olive oil if needed before flipping over. (I was using a stainless pan, so needed the extra oil to keep roast from sticking.)Season with salt and pepper, add to the slow cooker on top of the veggies.

Pour wine into the skillet, bring to a boil. Scrape up brown bits, and boil until wine has reduced to a syrupy consistency, 1-2 minutes. Pour wine over the roast. Add the water, and bring to a full boil. Pour over the roast. Cook 8-9 hours on low.

To serve:

Transfer meat to a cutting board, scraping any clinging bits of veggies back into the cooker. Pour veggies & liquid through a mesh strainer set over a bowl. Use a spoon to press sll the liquid possible from the veggies. Discard veggies. ALlow liwuid to settle for a few minutes, and skim off as much fat from the surface as possible. Slice roast against the grain, and serve with the gravy.

Note: If the roast is cooked for the full 9 hours, it may be too tender to slice. If this happens, serve the fork-tender chunks over egg noodles, corkscrew pasta, or mashed potatoes to soak up the juice.

Constant Craving...

The cravings have started to hit.... Big Time.... and only over the last few days.

Mainly, Chocolate. I bought a bag of Dark chocolate dipped mini pretzels at Trader Joe's today... and ate an obscene amount of them. M&M mini snack size bags. Chocolate milk. This is insane. It's bad. Please send help!

That's not even mentioning the things I have been craving, yet haven't had. Caramel Dip and appples, Pumpkin pie ice cream, apple pie, and not a single damn good for you thing on the list. Sigh.

Here's to hoping I get through the second trimester without turning into Shamu!

Oh, yeah, 12 weeks yesterday! :)

Averting Dinner Disasters? We'll see....

Although I love to cook.... I have a BIG problem. Well, he's 3 feet some-odd-inches tall.... and HATES it when I have to be in the kitchen with the gate closed for ANY amount of time.

Sigh. So, since Jeff often gets home late.... dinners are most-often prepared with a screaming child hanging on the gate and wailing non-stop:"Open! Open! 'ichen! (kitchen) OOOOPPPPEEEN! MOMMY HUGS!"

No amount of TV, Play-doh, or anything else will Make. IT. STOP!

Fun times, I tell you! :) So, I decided to try the new Robin Miller book out.... and shop for the specific recipes.... (although I bought my copy at Costco for $11.95)

She bugs the HELL out of me on tv.... but I watch her show anyway...

Anyway.... I used Travis' nap yesterday (and Jeff was home!) to cook up a big batch of Tangy Tomato Ragout which gets "Morphed" for a couple of different recipes
this week. I also prepped the Broccoli Puree with Parmaesan, for tonight. So, ahead of the game? We'll see.... My goal is to minimize the amount of time I have to spend in the kitchen while home alone with a very PISSED OFF toddler!

Anyway.... here's the menu for this week....

Sunday (last night)

~Grilled Chicken tenders with Tangy Tomato Ragout, and melted swiss
~Pasta with more of the sauce
~Blue Lake Greenbeans sauteed in garlic, butter, and olive oil (not really a recipe, but I like to make them this way!)


Monday (tonight)

~Pan-seared pork chops with tomato chutney (the Ragout gets reduced, additional herbs, spices, and chopped dried fruit added to make the chutney)
~Potato Broccoli Puree with Parmesan (already made, just needs re-heating)
~Salad

Tuesday:
~Shepherd's Pie with cheddar-spiked mashed potatoes
Salad

(I'll make these the night of, most likely.... I ran out of diced tomatoes yesterday, and could NOT find frozen pearl onions at the stores on Friday.)

I will chop the carrots sometime today....

Wednesday: Home-made Pizza (using Trader Joes fresh pizza dough... and assorted toppings....)
Salad

Thursday (Jeff's Birthday!)

Bolognese over fusilli (using/modifying the tomato ragout from earlier in the week.)
Salad.... and most likely go to Baskin Robbins for dessert.

So, yeah... there's the menu for the week.