Between traveling for thanksgiving and cramming holiday projects before traveling for Christmas, I've maintained a mile long to do list. :) This one time of year that generally enjoy my to do's.
Christmas is by far my favorite holiday. Going to a Catholic school as a kid, Advent and Christmas meant gorgeous decorations, my favorite church music and a ton of great food.
This week I made sure to change my table over to more season appropriate colors :)
Santa Mozart even got into the holiday action, although a bit reluctantly:
When I need a break from the holiday swirl, I'm working on planning our 2010 garden calendar. Our veggies were pretty successful in 09, despite the moving and a late start so I'm excited about this year's plan!
Yummm....maybe it's my Southern roots, but you just can't beat a big Sunday dinner. We'll be traveling this week for the holiday so I took advantage of the commissary's sale on spiral ham (.90/lbs) and picked up an 8.5 lbs bone in Spiral cut ham. This will give me the basics for our meals until we leave and I'll have a little bit to freeze for the day we get home.
To glaze today's ham I used honey, brown sugar and a packet of apple cider (the just add water type). We're having oven roasted potatoes and brussels sprouts with it. Super Yum.
Speaking of brussels sprouts. I have a new favorite product. Birds Eye Steamfresh Baby Brussels Sprouts. Single Serving packets. You can steam them in the microwave. Taste like fresh. Healthy eating just doesn't get any easier than that. LOVE THEM!
So, I had plans for lunch out today. Since it was a pretty day out, I thought I'd pull out some of my cute clothes (at least, the few that fit at three months post-baby). Baby cooperated by falling asleep about an hour before I was planning to leave. It's been a couple days since I washed my hair, but at least it was brushed. Make up went on without a hitch. Nice jewel tone fitted tshirt. Pulled out the super cute new fall boots. Got baby dressed, diaper bag ready, and we're headed out the door.
FABULOUS.
Popped into the bathroom to grab the cell phone I left in there. And realize that while I actually look put together like a normal person (as opposed to post-partum dishevled), there are three small stains on the front of shirt.
Pouches are my favorite convenience food. I find that most frozen meals leave a lot to be desired both in terms of taste and nutrition. This is a way that I can make sure I always have a tasty, good-for-you meal ready when life gets busy. They are also perfect for those times when I'm the only one eating and I don't feel like preparing a "full" meal.
A Sample Pouch Preparation
Ingredients: 4 chicken breast portions 2 small leeks 2 carrots, grated 1 garlic clove, crushed salt and pepper to taste
Method:
Grease (I use Pam High Heat) 4 squares of parchment paper.
Divide leeks equally among each piece.
Place 1 chicken portion on each paper
Combine carrots and garlic. Season with lightly with salt and pepper (or any other seasoning you like) and place on top of chicken portions.
Carefully wrap up each pouch, making sure the paper folds are sealed.
When cooking, bake pouches at 400 degrees for 20 minutes and serve hot.
Notes:
Pouches are easily frozen. I wrap each pouch in aluminum foil and place pouches in a Ziploc Freezer bag.
You can use any combination of protein and vegetable. I frequently toss a diced red potato in as well for a complete meal.
This is a great use for frozen chicken breasts and fish fillets.
A little drizzle of olive oil, especially paired with a squeeze of fresh lemon, lime or orange, creates a light sauce.
For quick meals, I sometimes will make several of these on the weekend and cook a big pot of brown rice that I store in single serving containers. Then, for lunch on the go, I can heat up the rice and eat with my pouch protein- healthy, filling and quick.
Any suggestions for new pouches? Seasonings? Veggies?
Soup is one of my absolute favorite things. Especially, traditional Italian soups. I didn't realize how much I liked these soups until I received a fabulous cookbook as a gift a few years ago. Soups of Italy is beautiful, informative and easy to follow. I'm slowly making my way through the recipes. One thing I've noticed is that while many of these recipes are higher in calories than many of my favorite meals, they are SO filling that I eat less at one sitting. Especially for chilly fall and winter weather, these substantial soups just hit the spot.
Pappa al Pomodoro (tomato and bread soup)
1/3 c EVOO 3 to 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 28 oz can of plum tomatoes or 2 1/2 lbs very ripe fresh plum tomatoes Pinch of crushed chili flakes (optional) 6 c broth (any kind) 1 lb stale whole wheat country bread, cut into 1" cubes salt and pepper 6-8 large basil leaves, finely shredded
Method:
Combine the oil and garlic in a heavy bottomed soup pot. Saute over low heat until the garlic is golden, 3-4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and chili flakes and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
Reserving a ladleful of the broth, add about 5 cups to the tomatoes. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes.
In a large bowl, add the bread with just enough of the reserved broth to soften it. Mash the bread, using the bottom of a whisk. Add to the soup, stir well to combine and gently simmer for about 10 minutes. If the soup appears too thick, add a little broth or water. Add salt and pepper to taste.
remove soup from heat, stir in basil and serve with a drizzle of olive oil
**soup is commonly served with a few tbsp of grated Parmesan cheese stirred in
For those in the Ft Campbell area, Silke's has a wonderful country wheat bread that is perfect for using in this soup. (just make sure to keep a crusty end to dip)
Today is the first day of my new training cycle. I'll be posting the daily details of my workout on a blog I set up just for that: All My Progress. I'll be updating weekly, especially in relation to my cooking/nutrition plans on this blog. So there will be some overlap. :)
I'm using a plan based off Lou Schuler's The New Rules of Lifting for Women. It's a great back-to-basics book. I have tendency to jump in with both feet and overwork myself, so I wanted something that was structured and easy to come back to if I get off track during the very hectic next two months. Holidays, possible deployments, travel, trying to figure out this whole parenting thing.
My first 4 weeks of Strength Training: The New Rules of Lifting for Women Stage: 1 Workout: A Exercise Sets Reps Rest
I find meal planning one of the single most effective ways of making my life easier. I spend less on groceries, eat healthier, stress less in the afternoons when the baby won't sleep and feel more organized. That last one might be the most important.
I eat the same breakfast every day for a week, then rotate. Just makes it easier for me. This week will be Nested Eggs.
Monday lunch- Cranberry Chicken Salad dinner- Creamy Chicken Chili
Tuesday lunch- leftover chili dinner- Couscous Stirfry
Wednesday lunch-tilapia pouch with rice dinner- egg fried rice
Thursday lunch-tilapia pouch dinner- chicken and broccoli pasta
Friday lunch-tilapia pouch dinner- acorn squash with beans and rice
