My love for cooking ebbs and wanes much like a pregnancy craving. There are weeks and even months when I love putting together meal plans for my family and delight in trying new recipes. There are other weeks when hearing the question, "What's for dinner?" is enough to push me toward a psychotic episode.
Much to my husband's delight, I have been in the former state of mind toward cooking since the new year. Below is my meal plan for this week. I still follow the rule of cooking 3-4 times /wk and making enough for leftovers. We eat out or get takeout once a week, usually on Saturday.
On my meal planner, I also note which evenings I plan to have after-dinner treats for my family - denoted with a (t). Treats are anything from fruit& whipped cream to hershey kisses to cupcakes. However, as a rule we don't eat treats every night. I use the freezer for all our candy and baked treats. For example, when I made valentines cupcakes a few weeks ago we each had one on Valentines Day and then I froze the rest. I do this with all homemade treats and chocolate. On a treat night, I can pick something from the freezer and thaw just enough for everyone to have a small serving. Right now my treat freezer section is empty so I may need to remedy that this weekend. :)
This plan has worked well for me since our hectic weekdays don't allow a plethora of time in the evening for meal prep and cooking. Below is my meal plan and some links to the recipes. Happy Cooking!
Sunday: chicken spinach pasta bake & Caesar salad
Monday: pork medallions & roasted vegetables (t)
Tuesday: grilled chicken tenderloins, mac & cheese, and green beans
Wednesday: leftovers
Thursday: leftovers (t)
Friday: leftovers (if any) & vegetable stuffed loaded baked potatoes
Saturday: Out (t)
http://www.savingmoneylivinglife.com/2010/06/chicken-spinach-pasta-bake.html
http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2009/05/grilled-pork-medallions.html
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-vegetables-10000001842424/
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Brief Update
I want to apologize to my family who are probably a bit frustrated at my lack of posting lately. I have every intention of putting a little something up here from time to time, but finding a few minutes to do that has been tough lately. Here is a quick rundown of the goings on at our house.
My husband and I are playing musical chairs between all the committees we're chairing or members of between work and church right now. He and I were asked to chair the elder selection committee at church and he is in the throws of the usual hustle and bustle of things at his work. I am currently chairing 2 committees at work, one of which is a search committee for an open faculty position. Things picked up quick for this in January when we began reviewing applicants and bringing them in for interviews. On top of that, the residency committee, of which I am a member, is interviewing residents for the upcoming year. Therefore, in addition to 4 faculty interviews which last 2 days each, I have to interview potential residents several times over the next month. Needless to say, things are BUSY!
My oldest son is happily trekking through kindergarten. He is testing for a higher belt in karate next week. His primary hurdle is being a bit scared of sparring. Those of you who know my son probably understand that he is anything but aggressive and the thought of hitting a friend (no matter how padded they are with gear) goes against his gentlemanly, sensitive nature. However, he is determined to get to the next level so we will see. He is also signed up for spring t-ball.
My middle child read her first book this week. She was so proud of herself (and had two proud parents as well!). What made this such a milestone is that she has been reading words, sentences, and phrases for a while but hasn't had the desire to focus for the time needed to complete a whole book. She decided to read one of her brother's books that he had brought home from kindergarten (I think that had something to do with her motivation) last week, and she focused and read the whole thing!
My baby who is now almost 2 and a half (sniff, sniff) has become quite the chatter box and dancer. Unlike his brother, aggression comes naturally to our youngest and is often the source of his time-outs. His favorite evening activity is dancing to our just dance kids Wii game. Of course, since his mama also loves to dance, our evenings are a party! :)
Well, that's all the news from here. Oh, I've been easing back into running. It's slow going but that is okay. It is just such a joy to be able to run again!
My husband and I are playing musical chairs between all the committees we're chairing or members of between work and church right now. He and I were asked to chair the elder selection committee at church and he is in the throws of the usual hustle and bustle of things at his work. I am currently chairing 2 committees at work, one of which is a search committee for an open faculty position. Things picked up quick for this in January when we began reviewing applicants and bringing them in for interviews. On top of that, the residency committee, of which I am a member, is interviewing residents for the upcoming year. Therefore, in addition to 4 faculty interviews which last 2 days each, I have to interview potential residents several times over the next month. Needless to say, things are BUSY!
My oldest son is happily trekking through kindergarten. He is testing for a higher belt in karate next week. His primary hurdle is being a bit scared of sparring. Those of you who know my son probably understand that he is anything but aggressive and the thought of hitting a friend (no matter how padded they are with gear) goes against his gentlemanly, sensitive nature. However, he is determined to get to the next level so we will see. He is also signed up for spring t-ball.
My middle child read her first book this week. She was so proud of herself (and had two proud parents as well!). What made this such a milestone is that she has been reading words, sentences, and phrases for a while but hasn't had the desire to focus for the time needed to complete a whole book. She decided to read one of her brother's books that he had brought home from kindergarten (I think that had something to do with her motivation) last week, and she focused and read the whole thing!
My baby who is now almost 2 and a half (sniff, sniff) has become quite the chatter box and dancer. Unlike his brother, aggression comes naturally to our youngest and is often the source of his time-outs. His favorite evening activity is dancing to our just dance kids Wii game. Of course, since his mama also loves to dance, our evenings are a party! :)
Well, that's all the news from here. Oh, I've been easing back into running. It's slow going but that is okay. It is just such a joy to be able to run again!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Explanations
"If it's not broken, why is it still hurting you?", were the texts I received from both my sister and husband minutes after sending them my elated, "My hip isn't broken anymore!!!" text sitting in the exam room of my ortho's office. I hadn't actually seen the doctor yet, but had asked the intake nurse to print out the most recent MRI report for me as quick as she said hello. Happiness & relief filled my heart when the "impressions" section read, "No sign of fracture or necrosis". This was a good thing b/c both were present on my MRI from a few months ago. In my relief and happiness I skipped over the section that said, "fluid visible..."
After receiving those back-to-back texts from husband and sister, and after exchanging quick pleasantries with my otho, I demanded, "if it's not broken, why does it still hurt?" Just FYI, the hurt has definitely improved. What was once a sharp, catch-your-breath, grit your teeth kind of pain has dulled to a steady ache that worsens if I step wrong or wear high heels. My ortho smiled, pointed me to the section of the MRI report that I had skipped over, and said cheerfully, "See how much swelling there still is? Your hip won't start to feel better for another 3-6 months". We then went on to negotiate a rehab program that would allow me to ease back into running ending with a stern raised-eyebrow warning, "You don't want this to happen again, do you?"
Well, orthos know best and he was right. I ran a bit on the treadmill the next day (very slowly as instructed) and while my hip didn't hurt while running, it ached for days afterwards. My rehab program will likely be even slower than anticipated. Despite that, I'm okay with it simply because I have an explanation.
As a Christian, I am okay accepting things on faith. In fact, I daresay my faith has more of an impact on me than explanations. However, as far as my once-broken-now-healed-but-still-hurting-hip goes, having an explanation was a very good thing!
After receiving those back-to-back texts from husband and sister, and after exchanging quick pleasantries with my otho, I demanded, "if it's not broken, why does it still hurt?" Just FYI, the hurt has definitely improved. What was once a sharp, catch-your-breath, grit your teeth kind of pain has dulled to a steady ache that worsens if I step wrong or wear high heels. My ortho smiled, pointed me to the section of the MRI report that I had skipped over, and said cheerfully, "See how much swelling there still is? Your hip won't start to feel better for another 3-6 months". We then went on to negotiate a rehab program that would allow me to ease back into running ending with a stern raised-eyebrow warning, "You don't want this to happen again, do you?"
Well, orthos know best and he was right. I ran a bit on the treadmill the next day (very slowly as instructed) and while my hip didn't hurt while running, it ached for days afterwards. My rehab program will likely be even slower than anticipated. Despite that, I'm okay with it simply because I have an explanation.
As a Christian, I am okay accepting things on faith. In fact, I daresay my faith has more of an impact on me than explanations. However, as far as my once-broken-now-healed-but-still-hurting-hip goes, having an explanation was a very good thing!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Christmas, One Day Early
Due to the fact that we'll be traveling over the next couple of weeks, Santa arrived early. We faxed him a letter requesting he come on the 23rd instead of 24th night and he was happy to comply. :)
Our Christmas Eve day started with snow! The kids enjoyed playing and drinking hot chocolate! The longer we live here the more I absolutely LOVE the weather! The snow made things so Christmasy and festive.
The rest of the day was spent doing some last minute shopping, decorating cookies for Santa, and getting the band back together. :) We have our family Christmas dinner on Christmas eve so that we can spend Christmas day munching on leftovers (the ham rolls are my favorite!) and relaxing.
Santa came that night and the kids were excited to see what he brought them.
Now, I am typing this rather than cleaning up the mess - can you blame me??? Ha! Merry Christmas Everyone!
Our Christmas Eve day started with snow! The kids enjoyed playing and drinking hot chocolate! The longer we live here the more I absolutely LOVE the weather! The snow made things so Christmasy and festive.
Santa came that night and the kids were excited to see what he brought them.
Now, I am typing this rather than cleaning up the mess - can you blame me??? Ha! Merry Christmas Everyone!
Monday, November 28, 2011
November
How time flies! I had forgotten about my blog until last weekend when a friend I hadn't seen in a while mentioned that she liked reading it. Sorry! November has been a nice month for our family. It started off a little sad when my parents headed home after spending the month of October with us. Having them here was such fun and they are missed.
Soccer season was in full swing at the beginning of the month and my son played goalie for some of the games. When his father asked him if he liked playing goalie he replied, "Yes, because it's pretty tough". :) His sister has not taken to soccer as we thought she would. Perhaps next year on an all-girls team she might come out of her shell a little more.
Ballet keeps her busy while her brother takes swim lessons on the weekend to try to get him ready for summer swim team. We had some family pictures taken a few weeks ago. I am always amazed at how the photographers can get some good shots. Snow and sleet pelted us all during the shoot and both my younger two were grumpy. Thankfully we got a few good ones!
My in-laws came out the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and brought my youngest his new (to him) bedroom furniture. The furniture was formerly my husband's when he was younger so it's special to our family and I'm glad to have it. No more cribs for us! We are so thankful that Grammy and Papa were willing to drive all the way out here pulling a U-haul with the bedroom furniture and dining room chairs - our house is much better looking thanks to them! Thank you Grammy and Papa!
I had a follow up appointment for my hip before Thanksgiving. My orthopod thinks it's healing and gave me the okay to start exercising longer and harder; however, still no running for another 6 weeks. I'm used to not running by now and honestly, it's been a good break. I've been biking and elliptical-ing. I started race walking again recently and hope to hit the pool some over the next few months. My oldest went to the appointment with me and when I conveyed my disappointment to my ortho after being told to lay off running for another 6 weeks, he turned to me and said bossily, "Mom, instead of running you just need to relax more." Clearly he doesn't understand that relaxing is not an easy feat for me!
Thanksgiving was a lively holiday - we had 17 people including the five of us. I enjoy cooking the Thanksgiving meal but never quite understand how every year some of my dishes turn out well and others do not. It's the luck of the draw! This year I was pleased with the turkey (we fry it - YUM!), the dressing, and my vegetables. My guests provided deserts and other sides and all were yummy. Grammy always makes the gravy and cranberries - her dishes turn out wonderful every time (I strive for that to be me in a few years!). My rolls decided to be ornery this year - they never rose and looked (& tasted!) like little rocks. Oh well - I'll try again next year! Happy Holidays!
Soccer season was in full swing at the beginning of the month and my son played goalie for some of the games. When his father asked him if he liked playing goalie he replied, "Yes, because it's pretty tough". :) His sister has not taken to soccer as we thought she would. Perhaps next year on an all-girls team she might come out of her shell a little more.
Ballet keeps her busy while her brother takes swim lessons on the weekend to try to get him ready for summer swim team. We had some family pictures taken a few weeks ago. I am always amazed at how the photographers can get some good shots. Snow and sleet pelted us all during the shoot and both my younger two were grumpy. Thankfully we got a few good ones!
My in-laws came out the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and brought my youngest his new (to him) bedroom furniture. The furniture was formerly my husband's when he was younger so it's special to our family and I'm glad to have it. No more cribs for us! We are so thankful that Grammy and Papa were willing to drive all the way out here pulling a U-haul with the bedroom furniture and dining room chairs - our house is much better looking thanks to them! Thank you Grammy and Papa!
I had a follow up appointment for my hip before Thanksgiving. My orthopod thinks it's healing and gave me the okay to start exercising longer and harder; however, still no running for another 6 weeks. I'm used to not running by now and honestly, it's been a good break. I've been biking and elliptical-ing. I started race walking again recently and hope to hit the pool some over the next few months. My oldest went to the appointment with me and when I conveyed my disappointment to my ortho after being told to lay off running for another 6 weeks, he turned to me and said bossily, "Mom, instead of running you just need to relax more." Clearly he doesn't understand that relaxing is not an easy feat for me!
Thanksgiving was a lively holiday - we had 17 people including the five of us. I enjoy cooking the Thanksgiving meal but never quite understand how every year some of my dishes turn out well and others do not. It's the luck of the draw! This year I was pleased with the turkey (we fry it - YUM!), the dressing, and my vegetables. My guests provided deserts and other sides and all were yummy. Grammy always makes the gravy and cranberries - her dishes turn out wonderful every time (I strive for that to be me in a few years!). My rolls decided to be ornery this year - they never rose and looked (& tasted!) like little rocks. Oh well - I'll try again next year! Happy Holidays!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
It's Broken
As I mentioned in my previous post, I found out last Friday that my hip is fractured. Right after I left the ortho's office, my sister and I started getting ready for my mom's birthday weekend so I am just now able to focus on it.
The fracture is a hairline, stress fracture on the ball of the hip ball & socket joint. Considering that I have been running on this injury since my youngest was a few months old (he turned 2 in Sept) I have likely been in various stages of fracture/healing for well over a year now. I'm beginning to question the pain center of my brain after walking around with pleurisy from pneumonia for months last winter and running on a broken bone for over a year. Not sure it's working right! I felt pain with these ailments but nothing that would indicate the severity of both.
The likely cause is two-fold. The first contributing factor was 3 very closely spaced pregnancies that sapped my bones and left them weak and brittle (there are only 3.5 years between my oldest and youngest). Second, I felt so good after the delivery of my 3rd child that I was up and running within a week and up to 5 miles in a few months.
The good news is that whatever shape my bones were in when the fracture occurred, they look great now and the doctor is hoping that the fracture will heal on it's own. I cannot run for at least 6 weeks, but can bike, do the elliptical or other machines, walk, & swim. Plenty of exercise options! If it doesn't heal on it's own, then they'll have to surgically put in some pins.(really hope that it doesn't come to that!) but it is not likely that that will be needed. Have a great week!
The fracture is a hairline, stress fracture on the ball of the hip ball & socket joint. Considering that I have been running on this injury since my youngest was a few months old (he turned 2 in Sept) I have likely been in various stages of fracture/healing for well over a year now. I'm beginning to question the pain center of my brain after walking around with pleurisy from pneumonia for months last winter and running on a broken bone for over a year. Not sure it's working right! I felt pain with these ailments but nothing that would indicate the severity of both.
The likely cause is two-fold. The first contributing factor was 3 very closely spaced pregnancies that sapped my bones and left them weak and brittle (there are only 3.5 years between my oldest and youngest). Second, I felt so good after the delivery of my 3rd child that I was up and running within a week and up to 5 miles in a few months.
The good news is that whatever shape my bones were in when the fracture occurred, they look great now and the doctor is hoping that the fracture will heal on it's own. I cannot run for at least 6 weeks, but can bike, do the elliptical or other machines, walk, & swim. Plenty of exercise options! If it doesn't heal on it's own, then they'll have to surgically put in some pins.(really hope that it doesn't come to that!) but it is not likely that that will be needed. Have a great week!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Happy Birthday Mom!
My sister and I have been planning a surprise birthday weekend for my mom's 60th birthday since last February. My mom is notoriously difficult to surprise because she delights in figuring out what we're doing for her birthday before it happens. My father, the master of surprises, suggested we have her family 60th celebration out here. It was a great idea and this weekend was a LOT of fun!
My mom was completely and utterly surprised! She could not believe that so many people came out to help celebrate. For me, it was so neat getting to show everyone around our town. We kicked off the surprise at my house on Friday night.
The next morning was an early one for everyone to get to the balloon fiesta (hundreds of hot air balloons) before dawn. A few who are not morning people (namely my sister and daughter) chose to rest rather than brave the early morning cold.
The afternoon, I took those who wanted to get a little exercise on a hike and the we finished up the evening with a fun evening of just hanging out.
Yesterday after church, a few of us took my mom out to get her a new outfit for the evening party. We finished off the weekend with a dressy party at our country club. It was a great weekend! I found out on Friday before everyone arrived that my hip that was hurting when I run is actually fractured. More on that later. :)
My mom was completely and utterly surprised! She could not believe that so many people came out to help celebrate. For me, it was so neat getting to show everyone around our town. We kicked off the surprise at my house on Friday night.
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