My baby's journey to eating food

I love food.

Clearly, in some periods of my life, I love food so much I cannot stop myself from enjoying it.

I like to cook. I like to chop. I like to bake. I like to read food blogs. I love free samples at the grocery store.

I love to eat.

My son...doesn't. I mean, he's fat so he eats. But he eats milk. And by eats I mean drinks.

Eating is tough. It's a skill. I never really thought about it. You have to learn it.

My son is learning to eat.

He's learning to taste, to swallow, to gnaw, to suck, to bite. He loves to put EVERYTHING in his mouth. It's the swallowing and actually eating that's hard.

But we're trying. We are doing purées and chunks and raw veggies and pieces of our dinner. He's learning. And trying. And still nursing. I'm ready to stop. But I can't without knowing he can eat some real food!

Luckily, tonight he liked peaches. Or at least tolerated them. And let me take pictures!

My Dallas Weekend

This weekend has a long time comin'.

We drove right after work to Dallas, stopping at the Rib Crib for some delicious barbecue. We pulled up to our swanky hotel.

We went to bed feeling fancy in our room and ordered room service for breakfast. Well, not that fancy because we split one breakfast between us.

The next day, I had a knife skills class. Baller!

We had sushi for lunch. Don't murder me: I had shrimp tempura. And lots of edamame.

We shopped at a gigantic mall (four floors and an ice skating rink). Where I decided to chop off all my hair. So fun!

Then we went to our date night cooking class. And learned how to be fancy.

And not cook raw scallops. Even Gordon Ramsey would be impressed.

The next day, we woke up and went straight for IKEA, our favorite furniture store. We had fun playing house and thinking about redesigning kitchens and all the things we "need" but can't fit in our little car.

We hit the outlets, so we could shop for great deals on nice clothes. Bryan stocked up on professor shirts for the fall. I got Brooke some cute things from JCrew for her birthday. And of course, a few things for the baby. Most of the time, I was wishing I was back to my size 4 and could buy up everything. Le sigh.

The drive back was nice. We enjoyed talking about philosophy and recycling and prayer and the baby and the fall semester. I like road trips with Bryan. He really is an awesome companion.

We spent the remainder of the weekend sleeping for 11 hours at a time (we still got it!), chopping veggies with our new knives and new skills, napping, watching all the tv we missed, napping some more. And making some creme brulee.

We do our weekends right.

Pregnancy Update/Confession: 28.5 Weeks

I went to the doctor for a TB scare after interacting with a few students who tested positive for TB. They squeezed me in on an hour's notice.

Nurse did the normal pee in a cup, weight, blood pressure, heart beat, all that jazz. I was surprised at the number on the scale, but I've come to expect surprise.

Doctor comes in and says we need to reweigh. Something must be wrong, she says. Back on the scale. That number can't be right. It is. She looks at me and back at the number.

I'm in trouble.

We get back in the room and she says, "Let's talk about your weight gain. Tell me what you've been eating."

Uh oh.

Damnit, guys. I've been eating GREAT. Protein, yogurt, watermelon, whole grain English muffins, bananas. Except for last weekend when I ate lots of cake, cupcakes, mousse, flautas, muffins and drank my weight in soda.

Apparently my snoring is due to my weight gain. And my swelling to my soda intake. And my soda intake is making me gain weight. EVEN IF IT IS SPRITE!

Hence the FIVE pounds I gained in a week.

So, she put me on a diet until Wednesday (my next appointment). I'm only allowed to consume water - and water with lemon. No soda, no coffee (not a problem), no tea, no caffine, no ice cream, no fast food (not a problem), no sweets. I'm supposed to do this all weekend until Wednesday.

If my swelling doesn't go down (she used a fancy word to describe how when she pushes on my calves or feet and the fingerprint stays indented - not good), then I'm on a diet for awhile. This really sucks. And it comes on the heels of doing really well. I really thought about not posting this, but I need to be honest with myself and with my ladies. I messed up.

Damnit.

Miniature Happiness

It's definitely the little things in life.

Like fresh watermelon. And eating it with my eyes closed thinking about vacation

Fruit is good for you. Watermelon is one of the best. Especially when you're pregnant.

Vacation is good for you. Anticipating it is just as good.

It's Not Easy Eating Greens

Can I be honest for a second, ladies?

I haven't been acting pregnant. I mean, I look pregnant, but I haven't changed much since November. I have maintained much of the same life. And, unfortunately, my eating habits.

Now, don't get scared: I've been religious about taking my prenatal vitamin and drinking lots of water (did that before, too), but I didn't change what I ate to reflect the growing life inside me.

I gave up sushi, hot dogs, steak that is rare/medium, runny eggs, wine, beer, and liquor. I still eat soft cheeses (that I buy and say pasteurized), deli meat (on occasion) and drink caffine. But adding all kinds of extra calories or nutrients: I have not, really.

My doctor didn't care. And I really didn't care.

Until I read the internet.

There are 10 foods that I should be eating: eggs, sweet potatoes, nuts, beans, lean meat, orange juice, yogurt, oatmeal, leafy greens and salmon. And I haven't been eating ANY of them.

I'm not a huge fan of eggs, beans or salmon. I just don't eat much sweet potatoes, nuts, orange juice, yogurt, oatmeal and leafy greens even though I do like them. And meat has been something I haven't really been enjoying with my pregnancy. BUT WHO CARES!? I AM GROWING A LIFE!

What have I been doing to my child? I had a freak out yesterday after I read all this. How is my baby supposed to get strong on a breakfast of Cap'n Crunch Peanut Butter Balls, a lunch of prime rib sandwiches with fries, and a dinner of Arby's or mac-n-cheese or pasta with no meat. How am I supposed to be a strong mom when my diet sucks? There's no protein (or very little), no veggies, no calcium. What I am doing?

I'm so upset, and I hope that I haven't caused any long term damage to my son. I'm embarrassed, too. Clearly, I haven't come to terms fully with the fact that I will be a mother. Or that I am a mother already.

I can't do anything about what days have already passed. I can only harness the guilt I feel towards making these last 14 weeks count.

Which means I went grocery shopping and bought ONLY healthy food. We stocked up on pork and chicken breasts, yogurt, whole wheat English muffins, fruit, veggies, and beans. I'm making a chicken chili (so much protein and veggies), chicken and veggies and another dinner of pork and veggies.

I'm changing my daily diet:

Breakfast:

Cap'n Crunch peanut butter on whole wheat English muffin with a glass of water and half glass of orange juice

Lunch:

burgers and fries tomato soup and grilled cheese on whole wheat OR peanut butter sandwiches with carrots and celery

Dinner:

takeout meat and veggies

Snacks:

jelly beans, chocolate grapes, yogurt, carrots/celery with peanut butter, pistachios, cashews

I am still feeling upset for not making these choices sooner, but I am looking at the positive side: I'm still making the good choice. I will start acting pregnant from here on out. My baby's health (and mine) rely on it. I need to do this. I should've already done this.

Baby, please forgive me for all the Kraft mac-n-cheese dinners and the peanut butter ball breakfasts. I'll give you what you need, starting with today. I've already had 64 ounces of water, some orange juice, a whole wheat english muffin with peanut butter, tomato soup and a grilled cheese on whole wheat bread. You're so nutrious today! I'm gonna take care of you. I promise.

To my readers, this is not my proudest moment. It is harder to be pregnant than I thought.

Failure: Population Me

I completely failed at my pre-Thanksgiving diet/workout plan.

Upon the first day of my be healthy kick, I consumed Sonic onion rings for lunch and Texadelphia's burger covered in queso for dinner. The following morning, I ate at Good Gravy Diner and had to indulge in the biscuits and gravy. I've completely failed. Oh, and last week, I had three bottles of wine. Geez. I'm in trouble, and I can start to see it on the scale.

With this dreary gray and rainy weather and the sun setting at 5:30, I haven't gone outside to run after work. In like two weeks. Somebody shake me.

Thursday is Thanksgiving, and clearly, I cannot diet then. I need to get my butt in gear, and I'm so disappointed in myself I don't know where to begin. Walking? Salad lunches? Lose the soda?

How can I be successful when I'm so clearly tempted - and so willing to give in?

I need to change, and clearly, unless I'm doing a full workout like Jillian Michaels, I can't seem to do it for more than a week. After I return from Thanksgiving, I'm getting another monthly membership. My ass needs it. Literally. The ass that's growing needs it.

How will I look hot on Christmas? Somehow. Let's do this...after Thanksgiving break.

Happy Easter!

I love holidays: the decorations, the celebration, the food, the gifts, the family. I love to celebrate Easter. This year was a good year for me. Not only did I get a new dress yesterday, but we stayed up and watched Harvey (a rabbit movie) until it was midnight. We ate chocolate rabbits, robin eggs and milky way eggs that my mother in law sent us. We nibbled on the bowl of jelly beans and played our new Wii game from the Rayman Rabbids collection: Rabbids Go Home (totes recommend this one) - thanks, Easter Bunny!

My favorite tradition of Easter comes from the first Easter I spent with Bryan, my then boyfriend. We made Rice Krispie treats. I only make them at Easter, and man are they delicious. Especially if they are still a little warm and gooey. The ingredients are cheap ($3) and the recipe is easy ( 3 TBL butter, 6 cups cereal, 1 bag of mini marshmallows: melt butter, melt marshmallows, mix in cereal). If you're looking for a new Easter tradition - or just a yummy snack from this week, I recommend Easter krispie treats.

It's the start of spring, and I bet it's beautiful out. Go outside, love somebody and get pumped for a new season.

Sometimes lazy happens.

Last night was a night that was awesome. Bryan came home from work just as I finished my afternoon project. We took a tiny nap and changed to pajamas. As we walked into the kitchen to figure out what we were going to make for dinner, Bryan pulled a flyer off the fridge and said, "Free Receipt Night at ChickFilA!"

It was rainy and we were hungry, and feeling a little rebellious, so we slid on some flip flops and ran to the car. After ordering a #3, a twelve pack of nuggets and a milkshake, we pulled back into our driveway, grabbed our bags and started running to our door. As we run in our pajamas with our fast food bags and milkshakes, out runs our neighbor and her two young daughters. She's stressed and talking on the phone and trying to juggle her purse and lock the door and wrangle her daughters in the rain.

And we laughed and kept being kids, eating dinner on the floor and watching Phineas and Ferb. Life is as fun as you make it. So make it the best goddamn thing you can.

Tomato Soup in a Breadbowl

Tuesday nights are busy for us since Bryan gets home from work at 5, and we have to leave by 6 for improv rehearsal. It's not that much time to change into casual clothes, have our after-work relax and get out the door - with food. Sometimes we swing by ChickFilA, but that can get old.

This is a great recipe that's cheap, yummy, healthy and FAST!

Tomato Soup in A Breadbowl
1 can of tomato soup
1 can of milk (same can as soup)
2 large rolls from your local bakery
grated mozzarella cheese



Empty the soup into a large microwavable bowl. Add the milk, stir and microwave for 3 minutes. Stir and microwave for another 2 minutes. (Feel free to use the stovetop instructions if you prefer). When your soup is microwaving, take a bread knife and slice the top off. Don't go too deep, and be sure to cut an angle. Think carving pumpkins, how you remove the top.

When the soup is done, stir and ladle it into your bread bowl (inside a regular bowl, in case it spills through the bottom). Sprinkle with cheese. Refill your bowl until your soup is gone. Easy peasy, guys.

Baking Cookies with Photoshop

This is so cool.

Adobe Photoshop Cook from Lait Noir on Vimeo.

Calzones for Dinner

These are Bryan's favorite. He loves them because he loves calzones but also because he can control what goes in them. They're a great way to please a lot of different kinds of eaters.

Pizza Sauce (you can buy a jar in the Italian aisle, too)

2 tomatoes

some garlic (we use minced garlic)

a pinch of oregano

a pinch of sugar

a pinch of basil

salt and pepper shakes

Using a food processor, grind up your tomatoes. Put in a bowl, add spices and stir. Done.

Calzones

pizza crust (I buy mine, but if you have an extra day, try making your own)

veggies: green pepper, onion

meat: sausage, deli pepperoni

cheese: mozzarella

Preheat the oven to 425. Get out a cookie sheet, cover with tin foil. Spray with Pam to prevent sticking. Roll out pizza dough onto sheet. Cut in half: perfect for two calzones. Spoon on some pizza sauce (less is more), then add your veggies and top with a sprinkle of grated mozzarella cheese.

Pull the nonfilled side over top the fillings. Pinch the edges. This is the important part: really pinch them until the dough seals. If you have extra dough on the corners, rip it off and help seal the parts that need it. Put it in the oven and wait. I don't want to put a time because all ovens are different. Keep an eye on it. You know what a finished calzone will look like. Let it sit for five minutes to let the sauce thicken. We like to microwave the rest of the pizza sauce for dipping! Also, I brush butter and garlic salt on top. Roll up your tin foil and you're done.

This is Bryan's calzone.


This is mine. I had trouble evenly cutting the dough, but it worked out nicely. It was like a stuffed breadstick.

Easiness: 4.5 out of 5
Taste: 4 out of 5
Cleanup: 5 out of 5

Lady Tip: Meal Planning and Grocery Shopping

Everyone has to eat. Eating out is expensive. Buying packaged or frozen food is not tasty. The solution I've found for affordable, healthy, yummy eating is cooking at home. This means having a well-stocked kitchen and planning ahead. It's not that hard, and this week I'm walking my lady friends (and my male lurkers) through how to effectively and deliciously plan a week's worth of food.

This week's lunch includes:

Salad with Mexican fixin's

Tuna Salad Wraps

Peppered Turkey Breast Sandwich

This week's dinner menu includes:

Texas Chicken Taco Salad

Spicy Sausage Jumbalaya

Chicken Parmesan

Make it Yourself Calzones

Spicy Vegetable Lo Mein

Tomato Soup in a Bread Bowl with Side Salad

Breakfast for Dinner

I went to the store to buy all the ingredients. This week's protein is chicken which means you can save money and buy a club pack. Pick out however many chicken breasts you're using and store the rest in the freezer for next week. Here's a picture of all the groceries I bought, and the total cost was only $65.


If you break it down, each meal costs $5.40 and per person that's about $2.75. You can't beat that with frozen food OR by eating out (even if you go to Wendy's). And you aren't just getting cheaper food, you're getting healthier food. Each meal has at least one serving of vegetables and one serving of protein.

Here's your grocery list:

bread (whole grain if you can), two large rolls for bread bowl & wraps (whole grain if you can)

cheese: cheddar, Mozzarella, Parmesan (the nicest you can afford)
tortilla chips (multi grain if you can find it)

medium grain rice

pizza crust (near cookie dough; you can make your own if you like, I just never have the time)

cans: crushed tomatoes and tomato soup (I like Campbells)

spaghetti noodles (whole grain if you can)

Belgian Waffle mix

meats: bacon, andoullie sausage and chicken breasts

deli: provolone cheese (.25 lb), peppered turkey breast (.5 lb for two days)

produce: broccoli crown, lettuce, avocado, tomatoes on the vine, green pepper, zucchini

snacks: bananas, grapes, raisins, dried pineapple slices, almonds

Look for pictures and the Calzone recipe tomorrow morning. I dropped the pizza crust and it exploded open, so I'll be making that tonight.

SNomg

Snow has yet to lose its novelty on me. This morning, I opened the blinds to see a beautiful winter wonderland. Our apartment overlooks a farm and some cute houses, and I remember moving in and thinking to myself, this will look so beautiful covered in snow. My imagination didn't do justice to what it looks like. It's incredible. It's breathtaking. It's more than what I imagined living the North would be like.

Everyone says you have to have a snow day tradition. Some people at work hit the diner before coming in, others make french toast. I make oatmeal and hot chocolate. As a lady who spent eighteen years in Florida, I feel that I can truly appreciate both oatmeal and hot chocolate now that there is snow outside.