New Post, Clever Title

Hi!  My last post was in May of 2013, so clearly its been a while.  I blame my lack of posting on being a busy Mommy, and my slow lap top.  I recently got a new lap top and its very fast.  Hopefully I can post more this next year (2014) it's going to take me a bit to get back into it,  just the writing part because I haven't been in school for couple semesters and my literacy isn't quite on point like it used to be.  I need to get back into because I don't want to lose my knowledge.  I don't get how some Mommy's have these amazing, personalized, awesome blogs, I have a pre made template, and have no clue how to create my own layout.  I guess you have to make time for what you love. 

Changes

You know that moment where you sit back and think "damn, something needs to change".  That's how I felt yesterday after measuring my body after a month of working out. My bicep went from 11.25, to 11.5, waist 33 to 32 and my hips stayed the same at 39. I would have thought that after a month I would at least see lower numbers, I also haven't lost any weight in the past month.  What sucks about my situation, is that I still breast feed, I can't "starve" myself because I need to produce milk for my baby.  I feel so discouraged, but I am not going to let numbers drag me down, I feel stronger, and better now that I am back at the gym. What I am going to do, is continue to watch what I eat with a fine tooth comb, I am going to be very specific as to what I eat, and limit consumption. I've done this before, I don't get why it's so hard for me right now, maybe because I have a baby. I recently purchased a Polar watch to accurately count the number of calories that I burn, that way I can monitor my physical activity.  Well, off to meal plan.  Wish me luck.

(First Mother's Day post to follow)

Chicken masala

I came across Rachael Ray's chicken masala recipe on Pinterest, and thought wow this looks good. After reading off the ingredients, I began to think that I can easily do this, and I did, but I did it "Allie style". Her recipe had butter, rice, and heavy cream. So I substituted non fat milk, quinoa, and Brummell and brown, and also took out the water and parsley.

Ingredients:
2 chicken breast
1 cup white wine
10 oz baby Bella mushrooms
3 basil leafs
Salt/pepper
1/2 cup milk
Lite mozzarella
Suggested serving of Quinoa
1.5 tbls flour

Directions:
Cook chicken in oven at 350 till done.

While chicken is baking cook quinoa according to package and let sit in pot till ready to spread in dish.

Slice mushrooms, melt "butter" then add mushrooms. Cook for about 8 min in "butter". Sprinkle flour. Slowly add milk (temper as you add), then add wine with same technique as milk. Stir occasionally till thick.

When chicken is done, take out of dish and spread the quinoa in the dish you cooked the chicken in, place chicken on top of quinoa, and add the entire mushroom contents over the chicken. Top with cheese and place in oven for about 5 mins.

I have to say that this was the best dish I've made in a while, and 1 serving rings in at under 500 calories! Total score. Enjoy.

http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/no-recipe-zone-recipes/marsala-chicken-and-mushroom-casserole

My Precious Baby

My girl Aubrey turned 9 months old yesterday, it's very bittersweet for me. As we do every month, I took her photo. Lately the weather has been nice enough to allow us to take the photos outside. Today I went through some of her clothes, and stored the items that no longer fit, and hung up some new clothes that she recently got. She's growing up so fast and is quite the little gem. We love her so much.

Kale Chips

I love kale, and any variation of it, especially when it comes in chip form.

Pre heat oven to 350.

Put kale into a bowl, drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper (or any other variety of seasoning) stir.



Put onto a cookie sheet and bake for about 20 mins.



And there you go, a tasty snack!

Switched up Breakfast

After eating steel cut oats everyday, I decided to throw a change up. I made a "quinoa pancake" topped with asparagus, green onion, and roasted red pepper, with a few spears of cheese. I cracked an egg, chopped up 2 slices of pepperoni and added cooked quinoa. The way it cooked looked just like a pancake so that's what I called it.  Topped it off with the veggies and it was dee-lish-us.Totaling  215 calories. Win win.

Steel Cut Oats

Are pretty much the best thing in the world. I eat them for breakfast practically everyday. I just can't get enough, and you can add almost any type of fruit into it. They keep me full for hours too, and I like that in a food. This is baby girl's and I breakfast the other morning. Of course the coffee is mine.

Quinoa Stuffed Mushrooms

I recently got a bag of quinoa from Costco, and we all know, like Texas, everything is bigger at Costco. My mushrooms were also from Costco so I had to do something with them.

I sautéed onion, garlic, and red peppers with salt, pepper and curry powder. While that was cooking, I hallowed out some 'shrooms with a melon baller and baked the water out of them. When that was done I added the quinoa to the mixture, and stuffed the mixture into the 'shrooms and had them as a side dish. I can't wait to make them again. (Please excuse the photo quality)

"Fried Chicken"

After eating chicken and veggies everyday for dinner, I had to switch it up. I wanted to keep it easy, simple and healthy so I thought of this "fried chicken" recipe on the fly.

2 chicken breasts
Salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning (any desired seasoning)
1 egg white
1.5 C Total cereal (corn flakes can be used as well)

Cut chicken into strips, dip strips into egg white, roll and toss into Total cereal. Place strips onto a wire rack on a cookie sheet, apply seasoning by sprinkling directly onto the chicken. Bake at 350 for about 30 min. Ta da!!! "Fried Chicken". So good.

Let The Power of Quinoa Compell You

      I should have known from the get go that this was going to be an epic fail.  I put the quinoa in the blender, well a magic bullet rather.  Me, not knowing that once the bullet is applied it starts blending.  I'm used to blenders and always put the lid on after I put the cup on the blander.  As I placed the bullet, the device turned on and quinoa went every where.  I called and thanked my Mom for letting me know you need the lid on before applying the bullet.  I used this recipe for my first time attempt at quinoa chips.  Since we returned from our vacation in Monterey I have been on a health kick and have already lost 2 lbs (go me), so I thought this was an awesome idea.  I thought that I would have these amazing quinoa chips and could avoid the whole corn, processed carby deal.  Well everyone I'd like to show you how my quinoa chips turned out.

Making flour, so far so good:

The final product:

What I learned from this experience is to leave it to the professionals, and that the serving size of tortilla chips is just fine.

The End is Near

      And no I am not talking about the world people.  I am glad to say that I have survived the rapture, apocolypse, the end, whatever everyone was calling it.  What I was refering to was school.  I just turned in my essays for economics (cross your fingers I did well).  I now get to fully enjoy "holiday break" and the upcoming Christmas holiday.  I am a much happier person compared to how I felt last year .  Thankfully that is behind me and I get to enjoy this time with family who loves and cares about me.  Well, that's it for now, I have about a mile long list of things to do that I have been putting off in order to finish my essays.  I hope every one has an amazing holiday, I know I will enjoy every minute of Aubrey's first Christmas.  I can't help but feel so blessed.

xoxo

Pinterest

      I have been using Pinterest a lot lately.  Mostly to look at all of the cool things, and to experiment with a few cool recipes I see.  Some work, most don't look as good at the photo provided on Pinterest, but for the most part I like to look at DIY and crafting, mainly for idea on decorating our future home.  Another thing that is in abundance on Pinterest are desserts.  My mouth waters, and my stomache growls when I see all of the amazing desserts.  Sometimes I have to revert my cravings and close the app completely.  I have gained followers via Pintererst and hope to get more followers, then use Pinterest as free advertising to revert them to this blog to see my creations, once I accomplish goal #3.  Now off to accomplish goal #1 while everyone is sleeping.

Future Goals

#1.  take the best care of Aubrey.

#2.  finish this semester, spring semester, graduate.

#3.  after graduation, start some serious crafting, and hope to sell some of my creations.

#4.  learn to use a sewing machine in order to accomplish goal #3.

#5.  blog more.  post more things.  stay in tuned with my blog world.

#6.  set aside a little bit of time during the day for myself in order to accompligh #5.


with that said, i also have a few new years resoloutions to ponder since the new year is right around the corner.

      ps: how do you like the new layout and title?  I figured it was time for a change, since my life has changed so much..

Graduation

(Imagine graduation music playing)

I would like to announce that I, ME, ALLIE will be graduating college in June of 2013.  I never thought I'd see the light at the end of the tunnel but it's shining and I can't wait to complete this chapter of life.  I got accepted into PTK (Phi Theta Kappa) one of the worlds largest honor society's for community colleges.  I accepted my membership (lifetime) and ordered my PTK tassel, and honor stoles.  I can't wait to graduate.  I am going to have a nice little get together to toast to my accomplishments.  Even though it's not a bachelors degree I'll be happpy to add my Associate of Art degree of Business to my resume.  I'm so excited to take pics in my cap and gown, haha its like high school all over again.  I feel like my AA is my third milestone in life (graduating high school, having Aubrey, and graduation from NVC) what will be my next?  I am hoping I can put the knowledge and skills I've gained into something amazing.  Opportunities are endless and I will find one. 

Cookies

Shh the baby is sleeping!  Thought I'd show case what I made during Halloween week. 

Just a generic no butter sugar cookie recipe that I found online, I then separated the dough into three even portion, colored one portion orange, and the other portion yellow.  I stacked the dough onto each other into a tupperware,then cut slices, and then cut in to triangles.  It was super easy.  Then bake for about five minutes.  Be careful though, you don't want food coloring on your clothes.

Hello from the new mommy

Hello to those who still read "The Adventures of Allie". Life has been a complete adventure for me, I've embraced motherhood with open arms and so far enjoying every minute with my amazing little girl. She brings such joy to both of our lives. Aubrey has changed me so much from the moment I found out she was growing inside of me. I started writing my birth story which I've yet to finish, I'm hoping to get that posted this weekend. With being a mother and taking online classes, it's hard to blog these days. I mean right now it's 1:36am, she's sleeping in her bassinet and jersey shore in on the tv. Lol. Now is my chance to do a quick update. Aubrey is now 2 months old, and she gets her shots tmw. :( eek. So nervous for my lil babe. Well that's all for now, just wanted to let everyone know yes I am alive, we are doing great! Things honestly couldn't get any better. I am working with what we have and making the best of it.
Love,
A&A
Ps: I went into labor shortly after my last blog post :) best day of my life.

Post Due

      I was due on Sunday 7/22, and I know only 5% of babies come on their due date but come on Aubrey!!!  As scared as I am, we both want to meet this life that we created.  We have everything ready, we are ready, but apparently she't not ready!  I wouldn't want to come out either.  So her arrival should come anyday now.  Wish us luck!       I went to the doctor on tues, so far I'm only 1cm dilated, an I go back for an NST (non stress test) on Friday to make sure the placenta is still functioning 100% and still delivering oxygen.  We'll see how that goes, maybe she'll have come by then.  Keep your fingers crossed for us that Aubrey comes out healthy and safe.

A Breath of New Life

      I think this my be one of my last posts for a while considering that my life is going to change in an instant any day now, and I probably won't have much time for the computer.  As I reflect back on the last 25 years of "Allie" I can't help but think, so far its been a good run.  I have done a lot of things that not many people get to do, I have experienced independence, I've worked hard, played hard, went to school, learned what it's like to be an adult who takes full responsibility of their own actions.  As the tables turn I will now be fully responsible for another human.  At times it's overhelming and I get emotional because it's not a gradual change, even though I've been anticipating the baby for almost 10 months it's more like a BAM here's a baby time to start changing diapers, feeding, and get ready for sleepless nights.  I am going to be a parent any day now, we will be parents any day now.  It's so wierd to think about because we both have been anticipating this moment for so long that once she's here it's going to be so quick and I'll have to adjust quickly. 
      I can't wait to meet my daughter, writing that and even saying that is just wierd to me.  I never imagined this moment in life and I am so happy I am not doing this alone.  Aubrey is already so loved and I couldn't be luckier, happier, blessed, and more thankful for the loving family that already cares so much about her. 

Meternity Leave

Yesterday marked the first day of my new beginning. I am officially on maternity leave and couldn't be more thankful that I have the most loving and supportive man. Even though I will be on disability and will still have some type of income, it won't last forever. And I know one day I will have to return to work. But for now I am going to be a stay at home mom as long as it allows us, income wise. I couldn't give Brett any more recognition for all of the hard work he does and to stick around to support his family. I love him with my mind, body, and soul. Everyday he gets so excited to meet "his baby". He's always telling me that his co workers tell him he's going to be such a good dad. He already has been an amazing dad and can't wait to see him be one.
Yesterday my friend Jessica came over and she helped me organize the rest of Aubrey's clothes. They're all sectioned by size and age group. She also somehow got my bassinet put together. I couldn't figure it out for the life of me so I'm so happy she figured it out. Out of no where I got a sore throat and a slight cough. I have been in bed all day trying to rest to get this sickness out of me before Aubrey arrives. I can't be sick giving birth and this bug has horrible timing considering my due date is 11 days away. Brett's delivery prediction is 7/29, mine is 7/24. But whenever she decides she's ready is fine with us.

Cabin Fever?

      This week was pretty slow, boring, uneventful.  Nothing really to write about but since I have nothing to do I am going to write about it.  My days off consisted of laundry, eating, cleaning, and walking. 

Monday:  I worked and got off early to go to my friends re-marriage ceremony.  They had gotten divorced, and decided to make it work and got re-married.  What happened during the middle of their vows I wouldn't wish upon anyone, but was very disturbing, and very hard to recover from.  The ceremony was supposed to start at 7pm, since weddings almost never start on time the gig started at about 7:30ish.  Right as the couple exhanged rings, a girl who wasn't invited, but got invited out of guilt HAD A SIEZURE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WEDDING!!!!!!!  The episode had postponed the entire event.  EMT arrived on the scene along with the fire department, and they took her to the ER.  She told EMT that it was the year 2007, she was 25 (she's 26), and that some other guy was the president, she knew she was in Napa though.   How do you recover such an intimate event after that?  I know she didn't mean to do it, or plan on having a siezure, however I feel what happened took all of the attention off of their happy monumental moment they wanted to share with everyone.  Now their re-marriage ceremony is remembered by the girl who had a siezure.  In the end the girl is ok.  She thought she just fell asleep.  But Im telling you it was the craziest thing I had ever seen in my life.  To see someone convulsing, and foaming at the mouth made me feel disgusting.  I've known this girl since 3rd grade and shes always had problems, invthe past few years she has heavily gotten into perscription pills.  It's sad.  Recently a friend passed away from overdosing on pills leaving behind 3 children.  Rumor has it she siezed up and went into a coma, and passed away.  Her boyfriend at the time is now hanging out with the girl who just siezed.  Later that night I called her mom, and talked to her for a while.  I thought it was best to pull the skeletons out of the closet even though it may have not been my place too.  I told her she has been abusing pills, I mentioned the guy shes been spending time with.  She thanked me for telling her.  It's not like I was trying to tell on her but I am honestly concerned that if it gets too bad she could too leave behind a child.

Now for the rest of my week...

Tuesday:  I basically just cleaned the house, did laundry, and went out to pizza with my Dad, bro and Brett.  Brett got off early so we waited for him to be off and then went out.  The pizza was sooo good, not to mention I could drink the ranch dressing Fazeratti's makes.  MMM MMM.  then we walkedto Rite Aid and some of us got an ice cream.

Wednesday:  Brett and I were both off together.  We went to the doctor to make sure that Aubrey is positioned correctly and thank God she is!  After we went to breakfast to Buttercream Bakery, it was delish.  Brett got some new shoes that he ended up wearing all day to break in.  We took a nap and believe it or not he cooked dinner. mmm.  We went on a walk, and went to Target. Then cabin fever set in, I got so bored out of no where.  I feel like there's so much to do but nothing to do at the same time.  I don't want to finish all the baby stuff yet because what am I going to do during maternity leave before she gets here?

Thursday:  Here I am writing this blog post listening to a show about people killing people.  I feel like this post is getting really long so I am going to end it now.