Menu Monday with a Twist!

I've decided to go ahead and jump right on board the "Menu Monday" bandwagon.  I'm big into the meal planning around these parts and I personally enjoy scouring blogs for recipes...so I thought I would create a segment of my own!  Not sure who came up with this whole "Menu Monday" idea...since it's on quite a few blogs that I read, so if it was you, let me know and I'll give you some cred.

But for a twist, I think I will include the WW points for each meal and update you on our meals from the past week.  That way I can include pictures.  I'll start that next week.

And just so you know upfront, I get a crazy amount of WW points.  Reasons include:  1.  I'm huge.  2.  I'm a nursing mom.  I currently have 49 points for the day so sometimes my points for dinner are seemingly high.  But right now, I need to eat more calories for my little girl so I'm obliging :)  Feel free to scale down for yourselves as necessary as the portions I eat now are larger than I have eaten in the past.  I'm also using higher point ingredients so I am able to hit my point value for the day.  This, unfortunately, will not last.

Here are some highlights from last week:

Monday:  Pulled BBQ Chicken

I found this recipe from I Love You More Than Carrots a while back.  Honestly, it's my new favorite meal.  It is ridiculously easy, super yummy, and I would make it every week if Matt let me.  Plus, you do it in the crock pot so my house smells delicious all day long.  We serve it on hamburger buns, but I was recently thinking it would be awesome with tortillas and cheese.  Yum!

Notes:
33.5 oz. chicken breast used
6 servings
11 points/serving
3 point wheat hamburger buns makes this meal 17 points for two sandwiches

Tuesday:  Leftovers

Wednesday:  Pizza Calzones

This is a go to recipe for us around here.  It's very simple and comes together quickly for a yummy meal during the week.

Notes:
This recipe makes 4 calzones.  Matt and I each eat two, but I could definitely just have one and call it a meal.  I don't, but I could.
9 points/calzone

Thursday:  Beef Casserole

This is a new recipe for us this week.  I really enjoy Southern Living recipes, as does Matt, so it's a site I frequent to search for yummy new meals to try.  It ended up being a super yummy dish!  I will say, the recipe instructed me to roll out some crescent roll dough, cut it into strips, and form a lattice on top of my casserole.  Um, that did not happen.  I did roll it out, cut it into strips, and then proceeded to just lay them all over the top.  I found there to be too many strips and I sure as heck was not going to throw away pieces of crescent roll dough.  No way!

Notes:
Lean ground beef used
Points do not include toppings which I chose not to use
6 servings
15 points/serving

Friday:  Leftovers

As a side note, the leftover beef casserole was just so so in my book.  Crescent rolls reheated are just never the same.

Saturday:  Chicken Skewers w/ Brown Rice

We ended up having a little bit of a change of plans Saturday.  We met our friends at a festival in town and they invited us over for dinner.  We did bring these skewers over for appetizers, but we also had steak for the boys, turkey dogs for us dieting girls.  And no rice.  Matt marinated the chicken in soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, and a few spices and it was really good on the grill.  Doesn't grilling something just make it taste so much better?

Notes:
3/4 lb. chicken tenders used
2 servings
8 points/serving (this includes using all of the sauce...which we intended to boil and use over rice)

Sunday:  Pepper Seared Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream Sauce; Crab Legs

I went a little fancy today to celebrate Father's Day.  I let Matt chose the meal.  He also got Peach Cobbler for dessert.  I cannot vouch for how that turned out as cooked fruit is something I am not super fond of...so this dessert was special for Daddy.

The steak was so good!  But my favorite part of the meal was the sauce.  I will say that it made way more sauce than necessary so I bet the points were considerably less as I didn't even come close to using it all.  But hey.  Better under points for the day than over, am I right?

Notes:
I halved the recipe but used 1 lb. of meat.  The more meat the better in our house.
2 servings
19 points/serving
3 oz. of crab meat= 2 points + 3 points for the necessary tablespoon of butter used for dipping

Hope you enjoyed the first installment of Menu Monday a la Jenny!

I Have a House...and a Huge Belly!

I spent Wednesday evening with several girlfriends at Melt in Lakewood.  Melt specializes in grilled cheese sandwiches...but has seriously crazy varieties.  It is always super busy so I've only ever eaten there once before....and this time was just as yummy.

I decided on The Godfather.   Here's the description:
3 cheese lasagna, fresh fennel-oregano pasta sheets, spicy red sauce, provolone, garlic spiked bread

Dude.

It was insanely good.

Yesterday, Matt and I were invited to walk through our new house for a pre-drywall inspection.  Oh ladies, I could not be happier with how everything is coming along.  It almost makes me want to cry looking at how everything we chose is coming together so beautifully and perfect.  I snapped a picture of the outside which is almost completely done.  I'm in love...and those trees....they're staying :)

Now, onto the babies!

How Far Along:  18 weeks! Apparently my baby is moving like crazy; however, I cannot feel it yet!  Honestly, it's driving me nuts.  I went in for a checkup last week and the doctor listened to the heartbeat and said she could hear the baby moving a lot.  It's completely surreal to not be able to feel it yet.  I just can't wait!!

Maternity Clothes:  Oh yeah.  I still wear mostly normal shirts...but the baby is even poking out of t-shirts now.  I'm thinking the days of wearing my normal clothes are almost behind me.

Sleep:  Mostly not bad...but last night I could not fall asleep to save my life.  But overall...no complaints.

Food:   I've really stepped up my eating healthy routine this week. I stocked up on strawberries, grapes, and pineapple and have been eating chicken wraps for lunch.  The only bad part of my day is when I get home from work.  I have no control and keep making myself nachos.  I cannot stop! 

Best Moment of the Week:  Getting to hear my little one's heartbeat again.  150 and going strong!  We also chose where we are going to deliver our sweet baby...and having started investigating child birth classes.

What I'm Looking Forward to:   In one week we have the ultrasound to find out what we're having!  I just can't wait to see our little baby again and see how much he or she has grown!  I'm hoping everything looks just perfect :)  Also, I'm attending my first pre-natal yoga class on Monday with a friend of Matt's who is due one day before me!  Can't wait!

Yummy Gummy

The day I got home from the 3-Day, this little guy was waiting for me on my porch.

If you can't tell, it's a 5 lb. gummy bear. 

And we all know how much the baby loves gummy bears.

He's huge.  And I love him. 

He was a gift from my BIL...my dear, sweet BIL...

I haven't had the heart to bite into him yet...but the time is fast approaching.  He's cute.  But not that cute.


Also...I had my first official belly pat today.  Hm.  I'm hoping this isn't a trend....

Clear is my Favorite Color

Since finding out I was pregnant, I've had a lot of trouble figuring out what to eat.  Nothing sounds good or I'm too tired to cook...it's been quite the experience.  I had a lot of trouble making a grocery list over the weekend so I ventured out to Costco to scout out new and yummy foods sans list.   

So what did I find?

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Gummy Bears.

For some reason I was just drawn to these things.  But there was a problem.  I was at Costco, remember?  This wasn't your average bag of gummies.  This was a 6 lb. bag.

A 6 lb. bag of goodness.

After a little begging, I got Matt to agree to this essential purchase.  (tip:  All you have to say is, "The baby really wants gummy bears." and he'll give in.  Genius.)

And I haven't looked back since.  Granted, I've hardly made a dent in this bad boy...but not a day has gone by where this girl has not enjoyed the yumminess of those clear gummies.  

Oh clear, how I love you.

Opening my Lunch Bag

What's in my lunch today?

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Just in case you were wondering.

A Great Combo!

Today I wanted to talk to you about something really, really important.


Food.


Did you really think it would be anything else?


I discovered this little combo from Pink Sass and my tummy has been thanking me ever since!

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I had been eating the crackers plain for a few weeks when she posted about eating them with laughing cow cheese. Let me just tell you...I ran out the very next day and got some. My favorite flavor is French Onion. But I'm also a fan of Garlic and Herb. So yummy!

I eat one wedge of cheese with about 24 crackers for 3 points. Currently, it is the best part of my lunch. Honestly, it's the best part of my day until I leave work. Sad? Maybe. But tasty nonetheless.

A Christmas to Remember

Because Matt and I were leaving for Indianapolis on Wednesday afternoon, we decided to do our Christmas on Tuesday evening. This year we opted for just stockings. Here is my sweetie with his goodies:

Check out all of my loot!

Every year my two best friends and I go out for a fancy shmancy Christmas dinner to celebrate the holidays. It's become a tradition to get our picture taken in front of the Christmas tree as a little memento.

Jill, AJ, and I

Seriously delicious dessert! Carrot cake, Cheesecake, and a Chocolate Truffle that was to die for.

Jill and me

Matt and I stayed Wednesday evening with my parents. When we woke up, my sister and her husband were there. We spent the morning chatting and decorating sugar cookies. So fun! Well, for a little while :)

Jessi was really, really good. I was okay...and then I sucked. Those cookies take so long to decorate!

Here is her cookie of her husband. Absolutely hilarious. He's even holding candy. Love it.

So, of course, I had to make a cookie that looked like Matt. This is what I came up with. What do you think? He was not impressed.

Jessi's Santa

Matt and I headed over to his parents' house to visit for a few hours and to do some last minute wrapping. Then we went to Mass with my family and headed out to Chili's for our annual Christmas Eve meal with my dad's side of the family as well as Matt's parents. After dinner, everyone came back to my parents' house for a gift exchange and family game night.

Mom's Christmas Eve spread

Me, my brother, and my sister

Action shots during the gift exchange: FIL, cousin, grandma, aunt, and grandpa. I took away two board games and Matt came home with a dirt devil. Great. I know who that gift is really for.

Let the games begin! Here is my BIL in action. It was boys vs. girls in a game of Funglish. I had never played this game before and it was super fun. Great game for a party!

Matt and I stayed another night with my parents and woke up Christmas morning to find this:

Clearly Mom went a little nut-so with the large gifts this year! We could hardly walk in the room! But what a beautiful tree!

Every year we get lotteries in our stockings. Here is my BIL, sister, Mom, and brother scratching them off. Matt was actually the big winner with $10 :)

My BIL decided to wrap himself up as a present with the excess wrapping paper. Oh dear.

Highlights of my gifts include some cake decorating supplies, a new sweater, a leopard Snuggie!, a dutch oven, a new stock pot, several books, and a few kitchen gadgets. Matt got a lot of Colts gear, a Brooks Brothers gift card, an outdoor smoker/grill, and a shop vac. My family was so generous with all of their gifts and we were so thankful!

We played a few games and then bid farewell to my sister and her husband who headed up to Fort Wayne to spend the rest of the weekend with Dave's family. Matt and I went over to his parents' house around 12:30 p.m. and spent the rest of Christmas with them. It is there that I received my new Chi straightener!! I'm super stoked about this! I have already used it and it is just fabulous. I could not love it more! Matt cleaned up with every tool you can imagine. Now, what can I make him build me?? Hm.

Saturday some of Matt's extended family came up from the Louisville area and we walked away with a few more board games. Later in the afternoon, Matt and I left for our final Christmas celebration with my mom's side of the family. She is one of seven so it is always a houseful no matter where we go.

After the gift exchange there, we had the joy of watching my brother participate in a pick up game of football. Oh how the mighty have fallen...

For some reason, Mook had tucked his jeans into his boots whilst playing. I guess they were too long?? Who knows...but it was hilarious.

We had an amazing Christmas with family and friends and I am so sad to see the season ending. But I am looking forward to the New Year with much anticipation for new adventures to come!

Roll Me Home!

My parents got into town Friday afternoon around 4:30 or so. I gave them the official tour and we settled in for the night with some homemade lasagna and a nice bottle of wine. Yum!

Saturday morning I made a breakfast casserole with homemade turkey sausage, eggs, and cheese! Then we made our way to the West Side Market near downtown Cleveland to shop for some necessary ingredients for our next meal. As you can see, this weekend was all about food! We got some fresh veggies, meat, and seafood and headed home to catch the Purdue game. And that is all I will say about that.

After the game, my parents and I headed to a local winery for some tastings! Matt stayed at home peeling and deveining shrimp. Which would you rather do? Hm. The winery was super low key and relaxing and we had a great time!





Ha! Maybe a little too great a time?

Oh relax....these pictures were staged people!

We headed home and Mom and I whipped up shrimp chowder for dinner. Yum again! What a difference fresh shrimp makes!

Sunday was the day we had been waiting for...The Fabulous Food Show! After a breakfast of yummy pumpkin muffins, we headed out to the convention center to see Bobby Flay!





I think it was the best demonstration ever! He made three dishes (including crepes Lucy...with homemade Nutella!!!) and there was very little audience participation of which I am actually a fan. People always ask stupid questions that just waste the chef's time...like, "Will you come to our restaurant for a Throwdown?" Give me a break people. Quit trying to promote your restaurant and just enjoy the show.

After Bobby, we made our way through all of the vendors and sampled a ton of food including (but not limited to) ice cream, chicken, dips, sauces, chocolate, cheese, cakes, soups, popcorn..seriously so much fun! And I got to have my very first cannoli!


We rolled ourselves home and ended up having a late lunch/early dinner at a local panini place. Overstuffed salami sandwich? Don't mind if I do.

Our night ended with the Colts game where they beat the Patriots in an awesome finish! Couldn't have had a better weekend. And the best part is...I get to see my family again in just 9 days! I heart the holiday season...

Weekend Round Up with Recipes!

Friday:

Matt and I went to dinner with some of our friends at a Mexican restaurant. Now, this not your typical Mexican food....as it is actually called mod mex and the restaurant serves things like duck and boar taquitos, weird flavors of margaritas, and crazy types of guacamole. Excuse me for not being sophisticated enough to understand the coolness of "mod" but I really much prefer chicken soft tacos, chips and salsa, and a regular lime flavored frozen margarita...but whatever...no one asked me.

Dinner was followed by....wait for it...salsa dancing lessons. Ha! Obviously not our idea. It was...interesting...but overall pretty fun. We learned the basic moves of salsa and were given a chance to do a little dancing after the class. My dear husband, bless his heart, did such a great job. I was so proud of his effort. He was the cutest little salsa dancer I had ever seen.


Saturday:

This weekend was filled with all sorts of yumminess! Thanks to my wonderful friends Lucy and Shaina...I was introduced to the amazingness that is pumpkin. Matt and I headed out to buy some ingredients for my pumpkin baking extravaganza and also bought a few more decorations for the outside of the house which I will share later this week. They may or may not include hay stacks and pumpkins!

I whipped up some pumpkin chocolate chip bread as well as pumpkin cream cheese muffins in the afternoon. They were both delicious. I was partial to the bread...because of the chocolate of course...but Matt fell in love with the muffins and had three for breakfast the next morning :)

Sunday:

Still overflowing with apples from our apple picking adventure of '09, Matt and I made an apple pie in the morning. We also tried our hand at homemade pie crust which was oh so yummy!

Here's a before picture of the pie before it went into the oven:


And the after:


It smelled delicious. And this is coming from a girl who does not like apple pie. Matt loved it...and I loved the crumb topping...so success all the way around :)


With the leftover pie crust we made these fabulous pie crust cookies!


Baked up...they were freaking unbelievable and ruined my diet for sure.


Matt went to the Browns game with a friend Sunday afternoon...so I hit up DSW for a new pair of black boots and Old Navy where I snagged these gorgeous fall items:

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I had a coupon for $50 off! Who can beat that??

I hope everyone had a great weekend! I am looking forward to getting out of work and heading to the gym to try and work off all of those devilish pie crust cookies!

XOXO

Shrimp Chowder

After the icing extravaganza of 2009 (by the way Lucy, I took pictures but didn't have time to upload them..so tomorrow..be prepared!), I managed to throw together a dinner as well.

We had Quick Shrimp Chowder. It was ridiculously fast (hence the name...duh), easy, and so yummy! Great dinner for a chilly evening on the couch under the electric blanket. And it was very WW friendly. The entire recipe serves 12...I only made 1/2...and then was able to eat a 1/4 of that for only 6 points. Did you follow that?? Hm. If not, just know it's healthy and yum!

I've been finding my recipes lately on My Recipes, a division of Southern Living. It's easy to search by ratings...so we always make 5 star meals :) It's been a yummy couple of weeks. They also feature recipes from Cooking Light which is always a plus!

So here's the recipe! Enjoy

Yield

Makes 12 cups

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 (10 3/4-ounce) cans cream of potato soup, undiluted
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds medium-size fresh shrimp, peeled*
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Garnish: chopped fresh parsley
• Oyster crackers (optional)

Preparation

Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat; add onion, and sauté 8 minutes or until tender. Stir in cream of potato soup, milk, and pepper; bring to a boil. Add shrimp; reduce heat, and simmer, stirring often, 5 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink. Stir in cheese until melted. Garnish, if desired. Serve immediately. Serve with oyster crackers, if desired.

*1 1/2 pounds frozen shrimp, thawed; 1 1/2 pounds peeled crawfish tails; or 3 cups chopped cooked chicken may be substituted.

Snackies!

We are utterly slow at work. I have already made my grocery list for the next two weeks, written out a schedule for my cake decorating activities for the week, planned my workouts, and caught up on all of my blogs. What's a girl to do at work when there is no actual work to be done?

My solution:

List some of my go to healthy snack foods that I eat on a daily basis. At first I was going to list the things that I am craving right now...but I decided against posting pictures of cupcakes, candy corn pumpkins, and Oreo truffles. Your waistlines can thank me later.



For breakfast, I always have cereal. Always have, probably always will...for one reason. It's easy. Oh...and I'm lazy.

My current cereal is:

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It is okay. I probably won't buy it again. I'm not a huge fan of the Fiber One cereals, but I had a coupon. I'm just hoping there are some Frosted Flakes left in the house when I'm done with this box.


I eat breakfast just before 5 a.m. so my morning snack comes around 8:45 a.m. My staples are currently:

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I usually add a cup of fresh fruit to my yogurt to punch it up a little.


For lunch, I'm currently on a sandwich kick. I either do salami or chicken breast with a 35 calorie/slice bread and a very little spread of this to eliminate the dryness:

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I've also been enjoying low fat cottage cheese, one of the billions of apples I have leftover from apple picking, and these:

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I have an afternoon snack when I get home from the gym and then my husband and I eat dinner around 7:30 p.m. when he gets home from work. My afternoon snacks vary, but I adore these...as they usually serve as my sweet of choice:

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What are your favorite go to healthy snacks??