Huffing and Puffing along...

This weekend was another good one.  There was a big running/walking event in our neck of the woods.  The hubby did the 10k and walked with us on the 5k.  My lungs aren't back to normal yet but it felt good to get out there. We also had a few brunch dates with our friends.  It was so fun to see the kids together and spend some quality time with other new parents.  The rest of the weekend was pretty relaxed.  Did a lot of inventory and restocking among other things.  Let's just move on to dinner:

• Sunday:  Turkey Panini's and roasted artichoke hearts and potatoes
• Monday:  Baby back Ribs* and sweet potato fries
• Tuesday:  Taco Pizza
• Wednesday:  Chicken Satay* and veggies
• Thursday:  Pasta Casserole
• Friday: Fish or something...
• Saturday:  take out

*denotes Crockpot or new meal

This week is a busy busy one.  We have alot of stuff to do to get ready for a Earth Day Festival we'll be at.

It's a little crazy how fast this month went.  Can you believe next week is going to April?

Wordless Wednesday

I did not buy the bib for her...

Booked...

Finally... I convinced the hubby that we need to get away before the Kupcake's first birthday and figured out this was the perfect opportunity to head up north to Portland and Seattle (YEA!!!!! I LOVE THIS TOWN).  We are flying to Portland, spending a few days there, taking the train to Seattle (been there, loved that) and spend another few days before flying back home.  So excited! 

Goal now is start pricelining rooms and checking LivingSocial and Groupon on find any cool deals daily.

We've been to Seattle a bunch of times and I've been to Portland for two days and really only saw the Japanese Garden there.  Any suggestions on things to do in Portland?  Thanks!

I'm alive!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had/have the worst cold/flu/bronchitis/yuckiness in decades last week and am finally feeling more like myself (still a bit sick though).  Away from the drug induced haze I was living in, I tossed all blogging, working, socializing, living, out the window for sleep and a tissue.  By the weekend I was actually talking like a normal human without hacking up a lung or two and dragged the family out to Santa Barbara for some zoo action and bonding time.  It was oodles of fun but when we got home, I crashed once again.  On Sunday, I woke feeling like I needed something filling (since I was barely eating, throat hurt to much to even think about swallowing).  I made Banana Flax seed Waffles, Strawberry Blueberry syrup and a few sausage links.  Oh boy was it yummy.  It poured cats and dogs and we proceeded to be holed up all day chasing the precocious little girl around and trying to eat the house by baking and cooking.  I made a few different types of cookies (Kitchen Sink and Double Chocolate Cranberry), a batch of Ham and Corn Chowder, and even some veggies for the rugrat.  It was good.  By the end of the night we finished cleaning the house (something that didn't get done all week), did laundry, and even dinner planned.  Let's see what we'll be chowing down on:

• Monday:  Mushroom and Asparagus Quiche
• Tuesday:  Sausage Pizza with salad
• Wednesday:  Chicken Satay with swiss chard quinoa
• Thursday: Ham and Swiss Paninis
• Friday:  Fish
• Saturday:  Burritos
• Sunday:  Soup --undecided what kind

  Nice and easy dinners, nothing fancy over here.  This week I'll be recovering as fast as I can so I can do the race this weekend.  At the moment, running isn't an option since I'm on two different types of inhalers.  I just hope I can finish.

As for what do I have to do this week?

• Photos of the garden (seriously... i'm sure you sick of me talking about this and not showing you)
• redesign blog  (yup, it's finally time for this)
• rest

Yup, I'm busy!  I'll be back to blogging on schedule.  I hate getting sick and I think what was worse than before is being sick with my daughter.  Poor girl was one big snot ball.  This morning I'm happy to report she was able to breathe without me suctioning her nose ever 15 minutes!

  Have you gotten hit by this year's cold? 

Wordless Wednesday

Fun filled weekend in the backyard

I had the most perfect weekend any dirt loving girl could have.  On Saturday morning, thanks to forgetting what Pilates class I signed up for I was early and got a chance to go buy plants.  I spend the afternoon repotting and seeding, and planting lots of different things like: cabbage, purple king beans, broccoli, corn, squash, zucchini, strawberries, cantaloupe, and watermelon.  I cleaned and tilled and got dirt all over myself and it was just pure bliss.  on Sunday, we took advantage of OSH's no tax sale and bought more dirt, solar lights, irrigation kit, grass seed, and other fun goodies.  It was PARADISE!  Nothing is better than the smell of fresh dirt!  After lunch, my friend and I spend the afternoon putting in the irrigation system, planting lots of sunflowers, garlic, and cauliflower.  Everything is sprouting and blossoming I really need to take some photos to share.  It is just so nice that we have that extra hour now of light.  Now if only I can get the Kupcake's schedule back to normal!  :)

  Now onto this week's dinner menu:

• Sunday: Take out-didn't feeling like cooking
• Monday:  Chicken Pot Pie (with crockpot chicken*) -- Happy ╥ Day!
• Tuesday:  Leftover chicken & garlic lemon pasta
• Wedensday:  Cuban Sandwiches & spring salad
• Thursday: Shepard's Pie* -- Happy St. Patty's day!!
• Friday:  Grilled Salmon & veggies
• Saturday:  eat out...

    *falls into my new meal and slow cooker meal of the week

Looking forward to this week's meals.  What is on the weekly to do list?

• Run!  RUN LOTS!  12 days away till my next 5k race. 
• Start working on Kupcake's first birthday decorations... will talk more about it later.
• Clean up the website
• Finish cleaning our room (seriously, you'd think that I'd want to keep my own private space nice and clean.)
• Get everything ready for a garage sale this weekend
• Finish irrigation system
• lay rock border for shade garden

Yup, that's about it.  This week should be a good one.  I still have to get used to the new time change.  The alarm went off just a little too early for me today!  Need to acclimate myself!

How is your week shaping up?  Doing anything fun?

Day 13....

No garden photos. Maybe tmw. Did zero food prep and just relaxed. Felt nice. This fulfills my Post of the day requirement!

G'night!

Sent from my iPhone

Perfect day

Pilates and strawberries
More Itty bitty teeth
Seeds and dirt
Shopping and naps
Paninis and dvr
Cuddling and sleep

Taking a moment...

Living in Southern California, I grew up with the notion that an earthquake could hit anytime.  We were taught about getting under our desks and even had a homemade earthquake bag I made in my sock drawer (I don't even know if my mom knew it was there).  Still, when they hit, it's traumatic and throws you for a loop, even if it's just for 10 minutes after.  My hubby lived through the Northridge earthquake in '94 and his house had extensive damage.  His school was condemned and they moved locations and went to doing half days the rest of the year to accommodate. I lived in a town that at one point was the earthquake capital of the world and Sony even made a commercial about it.  Still, when you live with them and hear about them hitting somewhere else and the devastation it causes, you have to take a moment and say a prayer for all those people and hope the damage isn't that bad. 

  To my friends in Japan, know that we are thinking and praying for you and your families.  We hope you are all okay and the damage to your homes are unsubstantial. 

Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe

You know sometimes you just need that sweet fix and don't know what to make?  What about kitchen sink cookies!  I made a few nights ago because I needed something like I needed a million bucks.  I had to have something yummy but didn't know what to make.  I started pulling out a bunch of things from the pantry and fridge and ended up with these!

Kitchen Sink Cookies

makes 1.5 dozen small cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup flour (I used rice/whole wheat flour mix)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 2 tbsp crunchy peanut butter
• 2 dates chopped up
• 2 tbsp coconut 
• 1 tbsp chopped walnuts
• 1/6 cup chocolate (I have a bar of baking chocolate so I just cut off some)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

• Preheat oven for 375°
• Toss everything together
• Bake for 10 minutes

  The nice thing about these cookies is that 2-3 of them does the trick and the rest can go in the cookie jar!

Wordless Wednesday

Celebrating Mardi Gras: Slow Cooker Jambalaya and Bread Pudding Recipe

In our house, today is the day where we let loose and savor things we might give up for lent.  This year, I decided to make some Jambalaya for dinner and Bread Pudding for dessert to really get in the mood!  Now I don't have all day slaving over the stove so I tossed dinner in the slow cooker and the dessert into a pan for the oven when I get home! 

Slow Cooker Jambalaya
serves 4
Ingredients:

• 1 chicken breast
• 2 sausages (I used sweet pork italian sausage)
• 1 cup of celery
• 1/2 cup onion
• 1.5 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1.5 cups water
• Cajun seasoning (to taste)
• Cayenne pepper (to taste)
• Seasoning salt (to taste) 
• Oregano (to taste)
• Thyme (to taste)
• Parsley (to taste)
• 1 tsp garlic
• 1 cup of tomatoes diced
• 1 cup wild rice

Directions:

• Cut up chicken and sausage.  Toss chicken into pot and pan sear sausage, then add into pot.
• Cut up tomatoes, celery and onion and garlic and toss into pot
• Add 1 cup of broth and 1.5 cups of waters save the 1/2 cup broth for rice
• Add seasonings
• Turn on 8-10 hours on low
• In the afternoon, make the rice with water and add the 1/2 cup of broth for flavoring.  When finished, add into pot.

It was sooo good!  Usually Jambalaya has shrimp but the hubby isn't a fan so I cooked some on the side for me. Definitely going to make this again!  

Bread Pudding

serves 2

Ingredients:

• 2 french rolls
• 1 tbsp I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Spray
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 Egg
• 1/4 Vanilla fat free coffee creamer
• 1/8 cup Splenda
• 1 tbsp Raisins

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees
• Chop up rolls into 1 inch squares
• In a separate bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients
• Spray dish with Cooking spray and toss in rolls and pour the mix on top
• Cook for 45 minutes (until golden)

Serve Warm... Oh soo good!

The good and the bad...

That is the best way to explain the weekend.  Saturday was amazing while Sunday... not so much.  First thing in the morning the hubby threw out his back and became immobile for the rest of the day.  Taking care of the kupcake is one thing, taking care of a person how is at least 8 inches taller than me is another.  Then to top it off I had to take today off so I could be his servant help him.  He's feeling much better and fingers crossed that by Wednesday he'll be able to wait on me.  ☺

Now since I'm so tired from cooking, cleaning, laundry, gardening (of course I'd toss some of that in), I'm just going to get down to this week's menu:

• Sunday:  Easy Quesadillas
• Monday:  Turkey Burgers
• Tuesday:  Slow Cooker Jambalaya*  (Happy Mardi Gras Y'all!!)
• Wednesday:  Fish and Chips
• Thursday:  Turkey and Artichoke Paninis
• Friday:  Mahi Mahi
• Saturday:  Eat out?!

 *falls into my new meal and slow cooker meal of the week

  Now, what's on the agenda for this week?

• Gym Gym GYM!!! Go at least 3 times.  
• Pilates classes (2 -get certified to go up a level)
• Put away clothes
• Clean room
• Finish getting the shade garden ready
• Plan a side dish for get-together on Saturday afternoon
• Set up the teddy bear's physical
• Go to bed before 11pm

Yup, that's me in a nut shell.  Now, I'm utterly beat.  Until tomorrow, peace!

Waffle Mania

Ever since this bad boy came into our house we've griddling like there's no tomorrow.  We got a Cuisinart® Griddler® because we just die over panini's and this seemed like the best one out there.  When I found out that you can buy waffle plates that attach I was all over it and ordered them quickly.  When they all came, it was like our kitchen appliance cabinet was complete and filling a void.  The first day we made them, I didn't have a clue what I was doing and didn't do the best job, but the second day, I knocked it out of the park.  This weekend I decided to change things up and made some amazing Blueberry Banana flax seed Waffles with strawberry sauce. Even the Kupcake loved them.  Here's what we did:

Blueberry Banana Flax Seed Waffles 
with Strawberry Sauce

Makes 12 waffles

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of regular flour
• 1/2 cup of rice flour
• 3 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
• 1 egg
• 1 ripe banana
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 2 teaspoons of flax seed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sauce:

• 2 cups of cut up strawberries
• 1 teaspoon of Splenda (to sweeten up)
• 1 splash of Balsamic vinegar 

Directions:

1. Turn waffle iron on to highest setting
2. Mix dry ingredients together (this include flax seed)
3. Separate egg and mix in yolk, almond milk, extract, blueberries
4. Mash in Banana
5. In a Separate bowl, mix egg white till fluffy and fold in last.
6. Spray waffle iron with Pam and pour mixture in waffle and cook for appropriate amount of time (I cook ours for 3.5 minutes).
7. While they are cooking, heat up sauce pan and toss in all sauce ingredients.  Let mix simmer and mash up strawberries in there. If you want it a little more runny, add just a splash of water.  
8. Serve up and eat!

Nutritional information for waffles and sauce (1 waffle and dollip of sauce is one serving):

Enjoy!!!

Today was filled with...

Little giggles and big smiles
Perfect weather
Pilates classes
In & Out grilled cheese
Family and a big bird chair
Hedgehogs and foxes
Dirt and blueberries
Crock pot dinner
Apple crisp and movies

Just another Saturday in Little Miss Planner's life.

The backyard... the evolution of our suburban homestead.

I always loved to garden since I was little girl.  During spring break in junior high and high school, my parents would buy me 6 packs of flowers to plant in the front yard.  I never thought about planting anything else.  That is what my mom did.  When I moved on my own, I never thought about it again.  It wasn't until we moved to our home did I toy with the idea of growing a vegetable garden.  Our backyard has been revolving since the year we moved in.  First it was just simple as adding some flowers.  Then we took the leap and with a good friend who knew a lot about all this stuff, he helped us add a retaining wall to start a small garden back in 2009. 

Then I got bored and needed to expand. I talked my friend into helping again and we added onto that:

Two years past (didn't do much last year since I was growing a baby instead!) and I decided that I wanted to do more and we added yet again...

In total now, the garden is about 30 feet long and two tiers to grow whatever we like.  Thank you Southern California for a good grow zone!!!

Then while we were borrowing a friend's chainsaw, we decided to cut down a tree (the one on the far right on this photo):

Planted a concord grapes, hung a swing for the Kupcake, laid pepples over the dirt (nothing grew here because of the tree roots) and turned the remaining area into our grilling area. (Note our mini compost bin to the right of the covered grill.  I asked for a heavy duty one for mother's day! ☺)

With all that, we done, we still have a container garden.  We decided to keep all the herbs together (except for basil since that is going to scattered all over the garden) near the door.

It's come such a long way sometimes I forget how little we started.  Right now, in the garden we have quite a few things growing:

• Brussels Sprouts
• Artichokes
• 4 kinds of Tomatoes (heirloom - 2 types, cherry, and grape)
• Celery
• Sweet Onions
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Kale
• Swiss Chard
• Strawberries
• Bok Choy
• Carrots
• Garlic
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• 2 types of Grapes (Concord and Thompson)
• Apple Tree
• Orange Tree
• Plum Tree

 This weekend we are going to add a few more blueberry bushes and perhaps toy with planting the corn too.  I want to make one more run to Home Depot to see if I can find a date tree.  I'm just in love with dates now.  We are also going to start a shade garden for the Cabbage family plants and hopefully I can get that up and running too.    

What are you growing anything this year?

mmmm.... peanut butter!

If you know me, I have a fascination for all things peanut buttery.  It's the cat's pajamas and to say I love love love it is a vast understatement.  When I heard it was National Peanut Butter Month (YEA!!!) I decided I will celebrate weekly by making forms of peanuty goodness at least once a week. This week I made Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal cookies.  OMG it was delish!  I had about a trillion of them (okay, I had two but would have had more but they fill you up).  I knew once I tasted them I had to share the recipe.

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup of regular flour
• 1/2 cup of brown rice flour
• 2 cups of oatmeal
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup (or one small container) of apple sauce
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup of splenda
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

Topping

• 2 ripe bananas
• 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (I used Trader Joe's Organic non salted peanut butter)
• 2 teaspoons of natural honey

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°
2. Mix dry ingredients together in large bowl
3. Mix wet ingredients together in small bowl until fluffy, then add into big bowl and mix together.
4. Spray pan with Pam and spoon out cookie mix.  Push down each cookie so it's flat and not rounded.
5. Bake for 10 minutes.
6. While cookies are baking, mix and mash all the topping ingredients together.
7. After Baking, take out and let cool on rack.
8. After they are cool, spoon the topping mix on top.
9. Eat!

They are just too good to be true.  I made about 36 of them.  You can always use regular flour instead of the mix of flours I used.  I've been toying with healthifying recipes I find hence the apple sauce instead of oil and Splenda instead of regular sugar.  If you use regular sugar, use 1 cup.  

Wordless Wednesday

Hello March!!!

  So did anyone notice that we are in the third month of 2011?  Where did the time go?!    I think this month I'll tackle another goal on my list, blog for two months straight.  I have a feeling it's going to be rough at times and there will be posts coming from my phone at 11:59pm but what can you do?!

  It's weird to think that Summer is around the corner and Spring is knocking on the door.  I'm happy that it's here and we can start enjoying more time outside.  This means more gardening, more outdoor dinners, more walks, more outside.  It isn't like we don't have weather the rest of the nation is basically jealous of, it's the fact we'll have more sun in the day.  I'm looking forward to it all. 

  What are you looking forward to this month?