Monthly Archives: May 2013

Weekend Recap

Is Tuesday night too late for a weekend recap? Hopefully you won’t find the pictures too out of date. Our weekend started out great went downhill in a hurry and I am finally feeling like things are returning back to normal.

Jack and I started our 4 day weekend together with a trip to the zoo with our friends, Nina and Meyer. (Isn’t Jack’s little safari hat adorable??)

And Meyer is such a happy guy! I almost don’t believe his mommy when she says nights are a little rough.

And we met up (unpictured) with friends Emily and David for happy hour. Although Jack was a good sport I know our days of having (relatively) easy dinners out are numbered. Once he gets more mobile we will have to have some sitters for sure.

We had family workout time on Saturday and did lots of little home projects. And we played lots of games with Jack like how fast can Jack kick, peek-a-boo, and “this little piggy.” He was also much more interested in books this weekend and likes to help turn the pages, and likes trying to put the book in his mouth.

Sunday morning was a little rough with more wake-ups than usual, but seemed promising when Jack decided to sleep until 8am. He wasn’t super smiley but sometimes he is a little more reserved in the morning (like Matt). Thank goodness not everyone is smiling and talkative at 5am! Jack and I went to the grocery store and when he didn’t get even the littlest bit excited about our pineapple purchase I knew he was really off. Pineapples are really his thing, you see. He can turn his head exorcist-style to check ours out at home (slight exaggeration but you get the point). He had a slight fever and some coughing so we took him into the pediatrician. (How wonderful is it that we can get a last minute appointment on a Sunday afternoon?!) And she diagnosed him with his first ear infection. Matt and I felt so bad for the little guy. He never got to the point of screaming or lots of crying so I’m glad we didn’t wait out the weekend to go see his doctor. So the rest of Sunday and Monday involved lots and lots of cuddling. He didn’t want put down, and his doctor said to make sure to give lots of liquids, which is breastmilk at this stage of his life so he and I spent lots and lots of time together. I think we were both exhausted!

Monday afternoon Jack and I went for a run together and he seemed to really turn around. He gave his big smiles again and was excited to play with his toys in the afternoon. I think that run saved my sanity and got us both in better moods.

This weekend was not like Matt and my Memorial Day weekends of the past. No drinks at the pool, no long run at the park, but there was some good food.

Nutella Banana Bread – Gone at the end of the weekend. Very good! I’ll share the recipe soon.

Matt used my rice cooker to make wonderful cinnamon apple steel cut oats. Seriously one of the best breakfasts ever. He put everything in the rice cooker the night before and set the timer to be ready at 7am and we woke up to a wonderful smelling breakfast.

I also used my crockpot to roast a small half turkey breast for turkey quesadillas and turkey sandwiches this week. Very easy – put the turkey breast (bone in) half in the crockpot and add enough water to cover the bottom of the pot. I seasoned the bird with lots of red pepper, black pepper, and some sea salt. Turn the crockpot on high for one hour and then on low for an additional 3 hours. Juicy, perfect turkey breast done! (adjust cooking times if you roast the whole breast)

And, of course, the salad jars for the week:

Layered, in this order starting from the bottom of the jar:
2 Tbsp Italian dressing
A handful of chopped bell peppers
*A new addition* chopped and roasted sweet potatoes (a great addition)
Chickpeas
Spinach and romaine
Grated Swiss cheese

I taught a great spin class tonight and need to get myself to bed to get up for another great spin class early tomorrow morning. Hope your week is off to a great start! Any suggestions of something to use my crockpot for next week? I think crockpots are even better in the summer because you don’t have to heat up your whole kitchen to do some cooking.

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Why I Love the Rain and Other Weekend Info

I hope your week is off to a great start and that you feel refreshed after the weekend. Last week was a little draining and made me enjoy my weekend even more than usual. Jack and I spent a lot of time outside on Friday. It was his first time to play on a blanket in the yard and the first time to feel grass on his little tootsies. He was one happy baby!

Saturday started with morning cuddles before heading off to teach spin class. I had a woman stay after class to say she came to my last class before Jack was born and that the class changed her perspective on fitness. She was viewing exercise as just another thing to check off the list, but got a kick out of seeing how much fun I seemed to be having even with a belly full of baby. What a great feeling to be able to have a positive influence on someone! It is easy to take our bodies and our abilities for granted. There are plenty of people side-lined out there who would love to be able to have your capabilities. Being able to move your body is a gift. Get a smile on your face and get going!

The rest of our Saturday involved grocery shopping with my sidekick, HopFest with friends, plenty of laundry and a graduation party. Sunday started with jogging with(out) Jack before Jack’s BFF, Meyer’s, baptism party. What cute boys!

Sunday continued with more picture taking and lots of family time.

During his last nap of the day, Matt and I chatted, chopped and put together these salad jars for the week:

Quinoa/Lentil/Chickpeas Mason Jar Salads

Bottom layer: Italian dressing
Next layer: chopped carrots, chopped celery, chopped bell peppers
Next layer: lentils and quinoa mix
Next layer: chickpeas
Next layer: spinach and romaine lettuce
Final layer: sharp cheddar cheese

This has been my favorite salad so far! I love, love, love cold quinoa and lentils on my salad. It is always my go-to at the salad bar at Whole Foods. I cooked the lentils and quinoa together in my new rice cooker. I think I’m in love with this appliance…after I experiment more I will give some details.

I saved the best for last (at least by my new standards). I am making an effort to live in the moment and slow down to enjoy the little things. Time is going by so quickly, and I am reminded of this fact every time I look at Jack. Sunday was his first big rainstorm. Matt, Jack and I stood in the door and let the wind hit us as we watched the rain together. He kept turning around to look at us with his eyes and his mouth open as if to say, “Do you guys see this?!” I think I was as thrilled to watch Jack’s reaction as he was to see the rain falling.

I hope your week brings many happy small moments and the ability to slow down and enjoy them!

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Hi, Again!

Another week gone incredibly fast. I am sitting on the couch drinking decaf cinnamon vanilla coffee right now. We have no sweets in the house (on purpose, I suppose) and I am trying to satisfy my sweet tooth with some good spices in the coffee. Its good, but a cookie would be even better!

Here’s what’s been going on with me this week:

We celebrated our first Mother’s Day together. I was spoiled by my boys all weekend with love and gifts. Jack did his best to wake us up super early on Sunday to make sure we were the at the door when our favorite breakfast spot, Succotash, opened.

I am pretty big into liquids apparently and had water, coffee and my favorite juice, the Lawnmower (cucumber, celery, green apple, spinach and lime) all at the table. I was so inspired that I bought all of the ingredients to make my juice at home this week…still hasn’t happened but hopefully I’ll make the time for juicing tomorrow.

Sunday also included a nice family walk. How cute are Jack’s baby sunglasses?! He tolerates them really well and loves walks. Matt asked me if I think walks are like TV for him. He zones out a little and is very entertained. What do you think?

This week included some good (unpictured) workouts. I subbed a spin class at City Gym tonight and am teaching again Saturday morning. Workouts were a little cardio heavy this week, so my 545am TRX class with Jenny tomorrow will be a needed change for my body.

Eats were a little repetitive but good this week. Jar salads from the week were layers of: raspberry vinaigrette dressing, cucumbers, red peppers, cherry tomatoes, black beans, romaine lettuce, spinach, and sharp cheddar cheese. Two of the jars have a boiled egg in addition to all of the other good stuff. Matt took two days of salads this week too. I made some mini turkey spinach meatloaves and had lots of leftovers for dinners. Good enough dinner but not really recipe worthy. Tomorrow morning I hope to do some menu planning so that I can go grocery shopping early in the weekend. Any suggestions of something that you made recently that was especially good? I need some inspiration!

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5 Month Update

Jack was 5 months old yesterday. We are all smiles here in the last month. Jack has grown so much, and his personality is growing along with the rest of him. His squeals light up my day, and I can’t help but smile every.single.time he giggles.

We’ve had some great moments over this past month with Jack’s first non-friend/non-family babysitter (we all survived). Jack also figured out how to get his feet in his mouth. His first experience involved biting his toe so hard he left a mark. No crying from him, but I saw him slowly put his foot down. He also works hard to pull himself up to sitting. He loves to do this in the tub and basically holds a V position with his little abs. I bet he gets sore!!

One of the biggest developments this month is that he plays independently. He is happy to lay on his playmat talking and playing with his toys for a good 20 minute stretch. He entertains himself with squeals, looking at his hands, grabbing for things, and lots of kicking.

Sleep is going so much easier too. We have a nice bedtime routine of feeding, singing and rocking. We put him down in his crib around 8, awake, and tell him goodnight. He usually falls asleep shortly after we leave his room. He has a wakeup somewhere around 3am for another feed and then falls immediately back to sleep before waking for the morning around 6:45 or 7. For his morning wakeup, he likes to slowly wake up and talk to himself before Matt or I go to get him.

Likes:

Kicking in the evening. He likes to spend about 15 minutes bicycling and rapid-fire kicking. He has such focus! Bonus if he can have Matt’s stomach to kick against.

Watching parents eat and drink

Most music, especially if mommy or daddy is singing

Going for walks in his stroller

Putting weight on his legs while “standing.” This always get a huge, open-mouthed smile

Bath time

Funny noises and silly faces

Dislikes:

Bob Marley – I don’t know what it is but we have to get it off the radio immediately because Jack protests whenever his tunes come on.

Having his nose wiped

Crashing noises. Matt got a huge frown and tears after dropping a bowl tonight.

I love looking back at how much he has grown and changed each month:

This next month will bring many more good memories and milestones. I need to do some food research in the very near future. Jack will be starting food soon!!

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Kale Chips

Jack apparently had a very hungry day. His teacher called to ask if it would be ok to thaw some milk to give him in addition to his usual servings. We all have hungry days, and I figure if Jack is having hungrier than normal day there is nothing better for him than an extra feed of the most complete food he can eat. (And some fresh air on a walk)

Similarly, on my hungry days when I need quantity I try to go for a nutrient dense food like greens. Greens that stand in for chips? Even better. We are pretty big on kale chips around my house. Preparing them is really easy and this is barely a recipe but is definitely worth sharing.

Kale Chips

Ingredients:

A big bunch of kale. Fresh kale really cooks up when baked so make sure you are generous and fill the baking sheet.
Olive oil
Sea salt
Fresh cracked black pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Wash kale and remove any of the tougher stalks.
Dry kale thoroughly.
Place kale on baking sheet with an edge. Drizzle kale with olive oil. Matt is more generous with his pours but make sure you aren’t too generous so that the kale gets soggy.
Sprinkle kale with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until lightly crisped. Keep an eye on them the first time you bake to get a gauge on your oven. These chips can burn easily!

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Mason Jar Salads (Again)

I am always a little amazed when Sunday night rolls around that the weekend is already over. I have always loved weekends but I appreciate my time with my family even more these days. Weekends this year don’t equate with sleeping in or half day crazy workout sessions, but they still include meal prep.

I mentioned how well Mason Jar Salads turned out. This weekend Matt said he would be game to try them too. His request was to include chicken breasts in his version.

Cobb Caesar Mason Jar Salad Directions:
Use a wide mouth quart-sized jar and layer, in this order:
1. Bottom layer – 2 Tbsp Caesar dressing
2. Second layer – ¼ cup chopped red peppers
3. Third layer – ¼ cup chickpeas
4. Fourth Layer – ½ chicken breast, chopped
5. Fifth Layer – 1 ½ boiled egg, chopped
6. Sixth Layer – Chopped Romaine lettuce
7. Seventh Layer – shredded mozzarella cheese

Make sure that the dressing is only at the bottom of the jar, and doesn’t get on the sides of the jar.
Matt said that it was one of the best lunches he has had in awhile. He is doing this again for lunch tomorrow, and said he would love to have a jar salad two or so lunches a week every week.

I based my salads for the week on the Main Street Chop Chop from the Mixx

Main Street Chop Chop Mason Jar Salad Directions
Use a wide mouth quart-sized jar and layer, in this order:
1. Bottom layer – 2 Tbsp Stone Ground Mustard Vinaigrette (recipe to follow)
2. Second layer – ¼ cup chopped red peppers
3. Third layer – ¼ cup chickpeas
4. Fourth Layer – ½ cup lentils
5. Fifth Layer – ¼ cup chopped chicken breast
6. Sixth Layer – Chopped Romaine lettuce
7. Seventh Layer – Thinly sliced cabbage
8. Seventh Layer – shredded mozzarella cheese

Mustard Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
• 1 tps minced garlic
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• 5 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions:
In a jar with lid, add all ingredients. Close jar lid and shake to combine ingredients. Taste and add additional salt and pepper to taste.

Do yourself a favor and add jar salads to your meals next week and save some time for important things, like naps.

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What I’m Loving This Week

Yay! Friday! I hope you’re getting ready to head into a wonderful weekend. Any Derby or Cinco de Mayo plans? Jack wants to party but they are already starting to know his name at our favorite watering hole so we might have to keep his sombrero wearing shenanigans to a minimum.

It has been an eventful week around here. Some quick iPhone pics to catch you up on the week:

Workouts this week were great! Highlights include Tuesday morning running group. What an awesome group of gals! (And Lewie, the dog)

I don’t have a picture but I met up with one of my favorite workout buddies, Emily, for a great Crossfit workout and catchup. It is seriously the best to have friends with whom you can share your start of the day with good conversation and fitness. We did “Jackie” with me modifying the pull-ups.

Jackie
For time:
1000 Meter Row
50 Thrusters, 45lbs (30 lbs women)
30 pull-ups

Two great spin classes thrown in the mix, and another spin class tomorrow. I’m teaching – hope some of you can join me at CityGym at 7:45am tomorrow!

Matt indulged me in one of my favorite quick dinners: an open faced egg avocado sandwich. This one features two over medium eggs on sourdough with an herb cheese and half of an avocado sliced on top. Delicious!

And of course, our little guy is big love of mine this week. He has really started to enjoy looking out the window. I think he is going to be a big outdoor lover like his mama and daddy.

And I love that we had some warm weather this week. Jack has so many cute warm weather clothes (Thanks Grandma!) and I love dressing up my little doll.

This weekend is going to continue with a fun friend’s wedding tonight (yay!) and Jack’s first non-friend or family babysitter. Wish all of us luck!

Hope your weekend is off to a great start!

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