Tired? Tired can't even describe who I feel as I end my two week stint as a single mom. Lesson learned? I applaud single moms everywhere - I don't know how you do it!
For the past week, my darling husband has been stranded in Europe due to the eruption of a volcano in the far northern region of our world. This has been a lesson to me and to all of us of how interconnected we all are. For me personally, I have also learned that being a "single" mom is very tiring.
Each morning it was up at 5:00 am to get myself ready, talk with the hubby via internet,make sure my 13 year old daughter was out the door to school on time and that I was also out the door on time for my teaching job. Of course, the school year is ending so, the number of activities triple at this time as everyone tries to squeeze in that last important event. In addition to her regular busy school day Rachael has youth group, voice lessons, all county chorus practice, all state chorus practice, a talent show at church, and the all state chorus concert in Greensboro, NC.
Me? I had my regular faculty meetings, a SACS visit for school accreditation, and family geography night! I also had a new unit to write and papers to grade! Don't even get me started about the house! It will take one entire weekend (at least) to get caught up on the mess there!
Rachael and I did treat ourselves to a trip to IKEA last Saturday to pick up some practical and some fun things that we needed for the house. She picked out her dream loft and some cute pillows for her room. We bought the cute pillows and will wait on the loft.
This weekend we are in Greensboro for all state. It is nice to be in a clean hotel room with someone to clean up after us. I am even thinking about stretching this out for one additional night. Something about coming back to a clean room that is only a few minutes away from the venue appeals to my tired self.
To single moms out there - I applaud you. To my husband...I can't wait for you to get home - I will never doubt what a good team we make or take you for granted again!
Rachael's trip
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Asian Chicken and Broccoli
Here is the new recipe I tried this evening. I really liked it and Rande does too. To be honest - Rachael wouldn't even try it.
2 tsp oil
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips (I bought mine cooked already)
2 cloves garlic (I used 1 T of Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic mix)
1 large bunch broccoli, cut into florets (5 cups)
1/2 c water
1/4 c Catalina Dressing
2 T soy sauce
1/4 t crushed red pepper
1/4 c cashew halves and pieces
Heat oil in a large skillet on medium high heat. Add chicken and garlic; cook 6 - 8 min or until chicken is done - stirring occasionally. Remove chicken from skillet and cover to keep warm.
Add broccoli and water to skillet; cover. Cook 3 - 4 min or until broccoli is crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.
Stir in chicken and all remaining ingredients excepts nuts; cook 2 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Add nuts.
I served this over brown rice.
2 tsp oil
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips (I bought mine cooked already)
2 cloves garlic (I used 1 T of Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic mix)
1 large bunch broccoli, cut into florets (5 cups)
1/2 c water
1/4 c Catalina Dressing
2 T soy sauce
1/4 t crushed red pepper
1/4 c cashew halves and pieces
Heat oil in a large skillet on medium high heat. Add chicken and garlic; cook 6 - 8 min or until chicken is done - stirring occasionally. Remove chicken from skillet and cover to keep warm.
Add broccoli and water to skillet; cover. Cook 3 - 4 min or until broccoli is crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.
Stir in chicken and all remaining ingredients excepts nuts; cook 2 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Add nuts.
I served this over brown rice.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Five Things
I was watching Ruby the other night and was inspired to change five things in my life in order to get through my weight loss plateau. I am still thinking but this is what I have decided:
1. Get to the gym at LEAST three times per week.
2. A fruit or vegetable at EVERY meal(Including breakfast).
3. Choose water first when thirsty.
4. Park farther away to get in extra steps.
5. switch to fat free milk for my coffee.
When I went to the doctor on Friday - I had already lost a pound. That was just contemplating and being more aware of my habits as I compiled my list! Lets see what these five small changes will bring.
No one is home today because they are in WV for Easter. I stayed home to take care of my poor allergic self. Tomorrow I will try a new recipe. It is chicken and broccoli with brown rice. I'll write about it then.
1. Get to the gym at LEAST three times per week.
2. A fruit or vegetable at EVERY meal(Including breakfast).
3. Choose water first when thirsty.
4. Park farther away to get in extra steps.
5. switch to fat free milk for my coffee.
When I went to the doctor on Friday - I had already lost a pound. That was just contemplating and being more aware of my habits as I compiled my list! Lets see what these five small changes will bring.
No one is home today because they are in WV for Easter. I stayed home to take care of my poor allergic self. Tomorrow I will try a new recipe. It is chicken and broccoli with brown rice. I'll write about it then.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
When in Rome Tortellini
I adapted a Tastefully Simple recipe this evening for dinner. It is the bruschetta tortellini recipe that is on their website. Only, I didn't have the brushcetta cheeseball mix like I thought. I had the When in Rome Cheeseball mix - which is now a discontinued item.
Here is the recipe:
Bruschetta Tortellini
Submitted by Rosemary (MN) HQ Resident Chef
Ingredients
Bruschetta Cheese Ball Mix
8 oz. cream cheese
1 1/2 cups milk
12 - 16 oz. prepared cheese or other filled tortellini
1/2 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Combine first 3 ingredients in a large saucepan; stir with whisk over low heat until cream cheese melts. Stir in prepared tortellini and spinach; spread mixture in a greased 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until bubbling. Makes 6-8 servings.
I used the When in Rome Cheese ball mix and then topped the casserole with Parmesan Cheese the the crumbs from the cheese ball mix.
This is a really good meal. Nice and hot, rich and filling. Its a do again type of dinner. Easy, too!
Here is the recipe:
Bruschetta Tortellini
Submitted by Rosemary (MN) HQ Resident Chef
Ingredients
Bruschetta Cheese Ball Mix
8 oz. cream cheese
1 1/2 cups milk
12 - 16 oz. prepared cheese or other filled tortellini
1/2 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Combine first 3 ingredients in a large saucepan; stir with whisk over low heat until cream cheese melts. Stir in prepared tortellini and spinach; spread mixture in a greased 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until bubbling. Makes 6-8 servings.
I used the When in Rome Cheese ball mix and then topped the casserole with Parmesan Cheese the the crumbs from the cheese ball mix.
This is a really good meal. Nice and hot, rich and filling. Its a do again type of dinner. Easy, too!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Snowed In
I have successfully tried new recipes just about every Sunday - much to the chagrin of my family. They would be happy to eat the same meals every week! Especially my daughter who could live off of chicken nuggets and pizza!
This weekend we are totally snowed in so, it looks like we will be scrounging something out of the freezer today and feasting on it. I am thinking about oven fried chicken breasts, green beans and homemade steak fries. Just an ordinary Sunday dinner.
I get to go to Myrtle Beach this week for a Paideia workshop. I am looking foward to it! Family won't get a new meal next weekend either. I guess they can survive ! LOL
Sunday, January 3, 2010
First New Recipe of 2010
"You've never fried me a turkey." My husband informed me after I asked him what he would give a 4 out of 4 stars. Finally, my chicken and dumplings earned a 4 star rating.
Tonight we tried "Bruschetta Chicken Bake" from my Kraft Foods Recipe box. Rande gave it 3 out of four stars. The dish was relatively easy to prepare and very filling. I served it with steamed broccoli and brussel sprouts. Perfect for today's winter chill there in North Carolina.
http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/bruschetta-chicken-bake-65546.aspx
I have promised to get back into the habit of cooking by trying one new recipe every Sunday evening. Unfortunately, we got into a habit of eating prepackaged or fast food meals the past two years while I was in grad school. So, I am trying to wean us from this habit. Hopefully, I will have a new repertoire of favorites by the end of this year and my family will be more likely to want to eat at home.
Well, honey, I may never have fried you a turkey - but at least we still have our back porch!
Tonight we tried "Bruschetta Chicken Bake" from my Kraft Foods Recipe box. Rande gave it 3 out of four stars. The dish was relatively easy to prepare and very filling. I served it with steamed broccoli and brussel sprouts. Perfect for today's winter chill there in North Carolina.
http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/bruschetta-chicken-bake-65546.aspx
I have promised to get back into the habit of cooking by trying one new recipe every Sunday evening. Unfortunately, we got into a habit of eating prepackaged or fast food meals the past two years while I was in grad school. So, I am trying to wean us from this habit. Hopefully, I will have a new repertoire of favorites by the end of this year and my family will be more likely to want to eat at home.
Well, honey, I may never have fried you a turkey - but at least we still have our back porch!
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