Pages

Thursday, March 5, 2015

The Bar Is Officially Closed

Last night was the first night I've put my daughter to bed without nursing her. Forty days shy of her second birthday, she has officially weaned. We've been gradually weaning since her first birthday, so it came as no surprise. I knew it wouldn't go on forever; and yet, I cried. I bawled my eyes out. And then I laughed because we started our nursing relationship with tears, and ended it with tears as well. I remember the first few weeks. The cracks, the bleeding, the painful letdowns, the contractions as my uterus returned to its pre-baby size. It hurt like hell, and I cried. I hadn't been able to nurse my twins, so I was bound and determined to make it happen with my daughter. We pushed through. She had silent reflux. We pushed through. She seemed to spit up everything I was managing to get in to her. We pushed through. We learned together, and now, nearly two years later, we've come to the end of our nursing journey. I hated it at the beginning, didn't enjoy it every step of the way, but I'm going to miss the hell out of it. 

Monday, January 19, 2015

Top 10 Favourite Family Meals of 2014:

Our Family's Favourites From the Past Year


1.  Roasted Red Pepper Pasta



I. Love. This. Pasta. Seriously! It's meatless, it's Monday, get this in your belly for dinner tonight! This is in regular rotation at our house. I love it, hubby loves it, and even the kids love it! WIN!!!

2. TACOS! 


Have y'all seen the Lego Movie? Every Tuesday is Taco Tuesday in our house! 

3. Cajun Chicken Pasta



Loads of veggies. Light sauce with a kickin' spice. Love this one!

4.  White Chicken Enchiladas



I add some frozen corn and hot sauce to the mix, but these are pretty darn delicious as is. 

5.  Pepperoni Pizza Puffs



Pop-able, delicious, kid friendly. These make a great, quick weeknight meal! It's super easy to change up the ingredients to suit your tastes too!

6.  Stove Top Mac & Cheese



The kids can't get enough of this delicious mac and cheese! It doesn't come from a box, but comes together almost as quickly! 

7.  Soup and sandwiches/biscuits/buns. 


It doesn't really matter if you make something from a can, are using up leftovers, or just feel like a straight up delicious homemade soup. Get your slurp on, and warm up with soup!

8.  Chicken & Rice Casserole (AKA Killer Casserole)


We call this killer casserole for two reasons:
-it's wicked good
-it almost killed me once! We were eating dinner and my husband got me giggling. I inhaled a piece of the rice and started choking. He sat there staring at me because he didn't realize I was actually choking. Needless to say, I survived, and we reviewed first aid procedures after that meal!

Proceed with caution....

1C rice - uncooked (or 2C of leftover cooked rice if you'd like it a bit mushier and delishier...yeah I just made that up! HA!)
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 3/4C water (DO NOT add water if you're using pre-cooked rice)
1 pkg onion soup mix
2 chicken breasts - uncooked, and cut into bite sized pieces
Veggies of choice (I usually use peas, green beans, and carrots, but go nuts with whatever you like)

Preheat oven to 350
Spread rice on the bottom of a 9x13" baking dish (make sure it's been greased well). Cut chicken into bite sized pieces, and arrange over the rice. Top with veggies. Combine remaining ingredients, and pour over top. Cover tightly with foil. Bake for 60-90 minutes. 

9.  Mexican Mac & Cheese


I have no idea where I found this recipe, but it's an huge hit in our house!

1 lb ground beef
1 pkg burrito or taco seasoning (I prefer the flavour of burrito seasoning, but either one works)
Water per package instructions

1 lb pasta of choice 

2tsp butter
1/2tsp garlic powder
1/2C milk
1C sour cream
1 can green chilies
4C sharp cheddar - grated

Preheat oven to 325

Brown beef until cooked through. Stir in seasoning and water per pkg directions. 

Cook pasta per pkg directions.

Melt butter in a medium saucepan, over low heat. Add garlic powder, and milk, whisking to combine. Add sour cream and stir to combine. Stir in chilies. Add cheese, and stir until cheese is melted, and sauce is combined. 

Combine cooked pasta, taco meat, and sauce. Stir well to combine. Pour into greased 9x13 pan, and bake for 25mins.

10.  Breakfast for dinner! 


Every once in a while, we like to have breakfast....for dinner! We're such rebels! Hahaha We'll fry up some bacon for ourselves (the kids don't eat it....seriously....whose children are they?!?!?!?) make French toast, or pancakes, and have at 'er! My all time favourite pancakes are from Catherine over at Weelicious...


There you have it! Our family's favourite meals! Enjoy!


New Year, New Me!

My brother absolutely despises this phrase, "New Year, New Me". He gets so irritated by all of the people proclaiming their New Year's resolutions from the rooftops on the first of January each year, only to fall back into their lazy regular routines shortly after. Now that it's almost the end of January, I feel like I'll be able to avoid his wrath in uttering these words. I've made a resolution this year, and so far, I'm sticking with it! It's a New Year, and I'm going to be a brand new me! I've decided that I'm going to do a mile per day. That mile may be walking, or running, or a mix of both on the treadmill, biking, rowing, or any combination thereof...but I'm doing it! I have a wicked cold right now (thanks again, husband!!!), but I'm still getting on the machine every day. I got some vinyl calendar decals from my aunt for Christmas. 12 little owl stickers, and I've nearly filled one of them already. I've never been a runner. I wrecked both of my knees skiing when I was in my teens, and have to be careful not to overdo it, so I'm taking it slow! I set the treadmill to run on intervals, and it gradually takes me through my mile each day. I'm getting faster. I'm getting stronger. I'm feeling better. I have more energy. I'm doing it for me...a brand new me!