Oh my....suddenly clouds have lifted! Sun shines! I feel like skipping down the street! I suddenly feel like taking photos and blogging about my cooking antics! I feel like I'm back to myself again!!!!!!!
Yes chickadees - I have hit the second trimester of my pregnancy and IT IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!!!!!!!!!
Everything everyone has said to me has turned out to be true. The last week has seen me feeling better and better each day. I cooked for us three nights last week - this is a feat because I went approximately 2.5 months without cooking a single meal after work. Suddenly I have the energy to come home from work and cook dinner and blog and do laundry and not fall asleep before 8pm. Again, it's a beautiful thing!
I look forward to connecting with everyone again...it's been a long time and we're now entering the fun stage of this pregnancy. I'm so excited and feel great!
Later lovelies!
L.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta
Saturday morning/afternoon I was lazily doing laundry - watching my fave Food Network shows and also my fave PBS cooking shows. Around 12pm Everyday Food comes on PBS and normally I don't watch it, but there was nothing else good on. They showcased some easy and fast dishes for weeknight meals.
One that stood out to me was one called Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta. One of Shooter's favorite dishes is from a restaurant here in Atlanta called Kyma. It's a greek restaurant that features whole shrimp baked in a savory tomato sauce and sprinkled with crumbled feta. He adores that dish! In an effort to cook healthier and also get my seafood requirements in, I thought I'd try it out.
You should too! It's easy and oh so delicious!
After prepping everything you saute the garlic, oregano, scallions and tomatoes until soft and the liquid has evaporated. It makes it all sooooo yummy!
The recipe called for serving the dish with orzo and green beans but I thought serving it with couscous would be authentically Mediterranean. It was delicious and soaked up the yummy broth created when the shrimp and tomatoes baked.
Here is the baking dish with everything assembled...looks good enough to eat already, eh?
Oh, come to me lover of my soul....here is the final product fresh from the oven. The cheese is all melty and browned. It's all bubbly and luscious.
And here's my plate...it was soooo tasty...*burp*
Serves 4
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 thinly sliced scallions
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined large frozen shrimp, thawed, tails removed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh fresh mint, plus more for garnish
4 ounces feta cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 475 degrees with rack set in upper third. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add scallions, garlic, and oregano; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add tomatoes. Cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until no liquid remains in skillet, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Add shrimp and mint to skillet. Stir to combine; transfer to an 8-inch square (or other shallow 2-quart) baking dish. Crumble feta over top.
Bake until liquid is bubbling, cheese is beginning to brown, and shrimp in center of dish are opaque, 15 to 20 minutes.
One that stood out to me was one called Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta. One of Shooter's favorite dishes is from a restaurant here in Atlanta called Kyma. It's a greek restaurant that features whole shrimp baked in a savory tomato sauce and sprinkled with crumbled feta. He adores that dish! In an effort to cook healthier and also get my seafood requirements in, I thought I'd try it out.
You should too! It's easy and oh so delicious!
After prepping everything you saute the garlic, oregano, scallions and tomatoes until soft and the liquid has evaporated. It makes it all sooooo yummy!
The recipe called for serving the dish with orzo and green beans but I thought serving it with couscous would be authentically Mediterranean. It was delicious and soaked up the yummy broth created when the shrimp and tomatoes baked.Here is the baking dish with everything assembled...looks good enough to eat already, eh?
Oh, come to me lover of my soul....here is the final product fresh from the oven. The cheese is all melty and browned. It's all bubbly and luscious. And here's my plate...it was soooo tasty...*burp*And now, here's the recipe:
Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta
Courtesy of Everyday Food
Serves 4
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 thinly sliced scallions
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined large frozen shrimp, thawed, tails removed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh fresh mint, plus more for garnish
4 ounces feta cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 475 degrees with rack set in upper third. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add scallions, garlic, and oregano; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add tomatoes. Cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until no liquid remains in skillet, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Add shrimp and mint to skillet. Stir to combine; transfer to an 8-inch square (or other shallow 2-quart) baking dish. Crumble feta over top.
Bake until liquid is bubbling, cheese is beginning to brown, and shrimp in center of dish are opaque, 15 to 20 minutes.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Healthy Schmelthy
Ha! I went out and grocery shopped this afternoon. I mean REALLY went grocery shopping. Today was the first time in WEEKS that I have been able to go into the grocery store and not gag at least 2 or 3 times.
Shooter and I went to this fabulous market near out house called the Super H Mart. It's really an Asian market but it also carries a good amount of American and Spanish products as well. they also have a HUGE HUGE HUGE produce section and it's amazingly well priced too.
I had in mind that I wanted to make a couple of "dips" that would make good snacks for me to take to work this week. Plus I had some meals in mind for the week too.
I picked up four bunches of cilantro, two red onions, 6 serrano peppers and eight limes - going into a black bean and corn salsa (I'll post some pics and the recipe this week) and also a pineapple and mango salsa. Also for the pineapple and mango salsa I picked up a pineapple and two mangoes.
I also got a couple of 8oz containers of baby spinach that I wanted to put with some canned cannelini beans for a dip I'd seen Giada De Laurentiis make on Saturday. I have already made it and let me tell you, it is AMAZING!!!! I'll post some pictures and the recipe this week.
I also wanted to make a really fresh chicken stir fry so I poked around and found some fresh snow peas, bean sprouts, a red and a yellow bell pepper, and cremini mushrooms. I have some carrotts here at the house that I'll throw in with that as well.
I also got a couple of heads of leaf lettuce for side salads and lunches this week. I got a couple of quarts of strawberries that smell amazing...haven't tried them yet so we'll see. They'll likely go on a salad this week. They also had the most luscious, huge, crisp seedless green grapes and we picked up a couple of bags of those...one bag is almost gone. ha!
I mention all these items because we walked out paying less than $40 for all that produce. Now that I am finally starting to get some energy back I am looking forward to doing more cooking and posting that for you guys!
Later lovelies!
L.
Shooter and I went to this fabulous market near out house called the Super H Mart. It's really an Asian market but it also carries a good amount of American and Spanish products as well. they also have a HUGE HUGE HUGE produce section and it's amazingly well priced too.
I had in mind that I wanted to make a couple of "dips" that would make good snacks for me to take to work this week. Plus I had some meals in mind for the week too.
I picked up four bunches of cilantro, two red onions, 6 serrano peppers and eight limes - going into a black bean and corn salsa (I'll post some pics and the recipe this week) and also a pineapple and mango salsa. Also for the pineapple and mango salsa I picked up a pineapple and two mangoes.
I also got a couple of 8oz containers of baby spinach that I wanted to put with some canned cannelini beans for a dip I'd seen Giada De Laurentiis make on Saturday. I have already made it and let me tell you, it is AMAZING!!!! I'll post some pictures and the recipe this week.
I also wanted to make a really fresh chicken stir fry so I poked around and found some fresh snow peas, bean sprouts, a red and a yellow bell pepper, and cremini mushrooms. I have some carrotts here at the house that I'll throw in with that as well.
I also got a couple of heads of leaf lettuce for side salads and lunches this week. I got a couple of quarts of strawberries that smell amazing...haven't tried them yet so we'll see. They'll likely go on a salad this week. They also had the most luscious, huge, crisp seedless green grapes and we picked up a couple of bags of those...one bag is almost gone. ha!
I mention all these items because we walked out paying less than $40 for all that produce. Now that I am finally starting to get some energy back I am looking forward to doing more cooking and posting that for you guys!
Later lovelies!
L.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Whew - are the holidays really over?
Wow, I sit here on my couch on January 3rd and wonder where time has gone. I just realized that the last time I posted anything was one month ago on December 3rd.
Well, I am now almost 13 weeks pregnant and officially "out" to the world. I go on Tuesday for my perinatologist appoinment for the more involved ultrasound where they do measurements and such looking for possible defects such as Down's Syndrome or Spina Bifida. We're praying for a good appointment and that we will possibly find out whether we're having a boy or a girl. Well, we may not know for sure but we may come away with a good idea of the gender. :-) I am hoping that I am getting ready to turn the corner into the second trimester feeling pretty good.
Now that we're getting into the New Year we have to really start working on clearing out Shooter's man cave - yes, unfortunately he's having to give up the man cave so that the baby can have a room. He's actually being really good about it and has been working for weeks on clearing out all his shooting gear and consolidating all his stuff.
I did have an amazing appointment in December with a clinical psychiatrist and obstetrician (Dr. Newport at Emory University in Atlanta) in regards to my depression issues and current medication. (Refer to this post regarding my struggles: http://ramblingsrantsandrecipes.blogspot.com/2008/06/i-have-been-suffering-through-very.html) Luckily the news from the specialist was that we are no more at risk for birth defects than we would be if I were not on the medication. Also, he said that it would be better for me and the baby to stay on my current med than to come off or to switch meds. He also told me that there would be no problem with breastfeeding once the baby is born. Needless to say it was one of the most enlightening and uplifting doctor's appointments that I have had in a loooooooong time. I look back and now thank my OB for sending me over to see him.
One thing that I have been concerned about since finding out about this pregnancy is whether or not I will suffer post-partum depression. Dr. Newport told me that, unfortunately, I am 100% likely to suffer from PPD. At least we know this going in and can adjust medication appropriately so that I can be completely in the moment with my new baby once we come home.
Well, I can't wait to see what the next week brings!
Happy New Year everyone!!!
Well, I am now almost 13 weeks pregnant and officially "out" to the world. I go on Tuesday for my perinatologist appoinment for the more involved ultrasound where they do measurements and such looking for possible defects such as Down's Syndrome or Spina Bifida. We're praying for a good appointment and that we will possibly find out whether we're having a boy or a girl. Well, we may not know for sure but we may come away with a good idea of the gender. :-) I am hoping that I am getting ready to turn the corner into the second trimester feeling pretty good.
Now that we're getting into the New Year we have to really start working on clearing out Shooter's man cave - yes, unfortunately he's having to give up the man cave so that the baby can have a room. He's actually being really good about it and has been working for weeks on clearing out all his shooting gear and consolidating all his stuff.
I did have an amazing appointment in December with a clinical psychiatrist and obstetrician (Dr. Newport at Emory University in Atlanta) in regards to my depression issues and current medication. (Refer to this post regarding my struggles: http://ramblingsrantsandrecipes.blogspot.com/2008/06/i-have-been-suffering-through-very.html) Luckily the news from the specialist was that we are no more at risk for birth defects than we would be if I were not on the medication. Also, he said that it would be better for me and the baby to stay on my current med than to come off or to switch meds. He also told me that there would be no problem with breastfeeding once the baby is born. Needless to say it was one of the most enlightening and uplifting doctor's appointments that I have had in a loooooooong time. I look back and now thank my OB for sending me over to see him.
One thing that I have been concerned about since finding out about this pregnancy is whether or not I will suffer post-partum depression. Dr. Newport told me that, unfortunately, I am 100% likely to suffer from PPD. At least we know this going in and can adjust medication appropriately so that I can be completely in the moment with my new baby once we come home.
Well, I can't wait to see what the next week brings!
Happy New Year everyone!!!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Delish Chicken Tortellini Florentine Soup
Hey guys!!
I just discovered the most amazing recipe for a quick and easy weeknight soup that is sure to satisfy!
Chicken Tortellini Florentine Soup
1 32 oz box chicken broth
2 14 oz cans chicken broth
1 10 oz container refrigerated Alfredo pasta sauce
2 9 oz packages refrigerated three cheese tortellini
1 7 oz jar sun dried tomatoes (cut into strips)
1 package Perdue Short Cuts (Original flavor, diced)
3 cups baby spinach
In a stock pot add the chicken broth and pasta sauce, stir well. Add tortellini, tomatoes, and chicken and cook until pasta is tender but do not boil broth. Add in spinach and cook for a couple of minutes until spinach is wilted. Serve with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.
This was an incredibly delicious soup that I will definitely make again and again!
L.
I just discovered the most amazing recipe for a quick and easy weeknight soup that is sure to satisfy!
Chicken Tortellini Florentine Soup
1 32 oz box chicken broth
2 14 oz cans chicken broth
1 10 oz container refrigerated Alfredo pasta sauce
2 9 oz packages refrigerated three cheese tortellini
1 7 oz jar sun dried tomatoes (cut into strips)
1 package Perdue Short Cuts (Original flavor, diced)
3 cups baby spinach
In a stock pot add the chicken broth and pasta sauce, stir well. Add tortellini, tomatoes, and chicken and cook until pasta is tender but do not boil broth. Add in spinach and cook for a couple of minutes until spinach is wilted. Serve with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.
This was an incredibly delicious soup that I will definitely make again and again!
L.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Why doesn't the doctor hand out waterproof mascara?
Okay...this hormone thing is driving me batty! It's like perpetual PMS. Okay...so I know the little squirt growing in my belly is going to be worth it and all but geez...I sure hope its Dad and I are still married when it comes.
Poor Shooter....I've bitten his head off twice in the last few days for absolutely nothing in particular....actually, I think he sneezed in my general direction and that set me off.
Also, I recently had my end of year review at work and I ended up crying through 45 min of the 75 min we were in there. Yea, the boss was a little, no a lot, too direct and harped a bit much about the bad stuff. But geez, peeps. I couldn't get the waterworks stopped once they started. I did the whole hiccuping thing too....I HATE it when people do that and here I was completely and utterly out of control! My supervisor and HR director were looking at me like I was the most pitiful thing ever and that just made it worse. It didn't matter what they said...I just hiccupped and cried harder. I should have worn waterproof mascara yesterday....why didn't the doctor give me some when that test in their office came back positive? It should be mandatory.
Poor Shooter....I've bitten his head off twice in the last few days for absolutely nothing in particular....actually, I think he sneezed in my general direction and that set me off.
Also, I recently had my end of year review at work and I ended up crying through 45 min of the 75 min we were in there. Yea, the boss was a little, no a lot, too direct and harped a bit much about the bad stuff. But geez, peeps. I couldn't get the waterworks stopped once they started. I did the whole hiccuping thing too....I HATE it when people do that and here I was completely and utterly out of control! My supervisor and HR director were looking at me like I was the most pitiful thing ever and that just made it worse. It didn't matter what they said...I just hiccupped and cried harder. I should have worn waterproof mascara yesterday....why didn't the doctor give me some when that test in their office came back positive? It should be mandatory.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Monday morning catch up
I sit at home this morning....having called in sick to work. I started getting sick last Tuesday and it smacked me hard Wednesday afternoon. I spent most of Thanksgiving day without much of a voice (which has never happened to me!) and I didn't even go shopping on Black Friday. I ended up getting out for a little bit on Saturday but only about half a day before I was exhausted. I spent most of yesterday in the car driving back home from my brother's house and fell into bed around 8pm. I've got this cough that won't give but hopefully will ease up soon.
I will tell you one thing....I bought a generic neti pot at CVS before I left town last week and boy am I glad I did. It's a life saver.
Oh...and since I last posted we had our first ultrasound. My dating indicates a due date of July 13 but the ultrasound showed a date of July 17. So according to the doctor, we're going with a due date of July 13. We even got to see the heartbeat!!! I was amazed that something so small was growing inside me.
I go for another ultrasound tomorrow. I'm excited about getting a new picture because I am planning a really cool surprise for my extended family.
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Well, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and your Christmas preparations are moving forward smoothly!
L.
I will tell you one thing....I bought a generic neti pot at CVS before I left town last week and boy am I glad I did. It's a life saver.
This thing is amazing. It helps clean out your sinuses while moisturizing them. I know that sounds weird, but I get a really dry nose from the winter weather and all the indoor heating.
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All in all, the pregnancy is progressing right along. I've discovered that the progesterone is being tolerated very well and my levels are increasing with every blood test (yea!). I've also discovered that I can hardly watch certain food commercials. There's one for Longhorn Steakhouse that has a cheesy steak in it that makes my stomach do somersaults.
We also went out for sushi for my sister-in-law's birthday on Saturday and while I ate all "cooked" sushi, Shooter decided that he wanted some raw nigiri. I took one look at his plate and had to turn my back to him. My stomach threatened to ruin the evening, but I held it in check.
It seems that I am averse to the things that I shouldn't be eating anyway. Guess that's good!
---------------------------------------------
Oh...and since I last posted we had our first ultrasound. My dating indicates a due date of July 13 but the ultrasound showed a date of July 17. So according to the doctor, we're going with a due date of July 13. We even got to see the heartbeat!!! I was amazed that something so small was growing inside me.
I go for another ultrasound tomorrow. I'm excited about getting a new picture because I am planning a really cool surprise for my extended family.
---------------------------------------------
Well, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and your Christmas preparations are moving forward smoothly!
L.
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