I love weekends at home with my two boys. Jimmy was traveling for work all of last week and will be heading out of town again this coming week so I tried to get as much QT as I could this weekend. On Friday night, I took us on an adventure to find some authentic Mexican food. I used my trusty Yelp app to find a highly rated place and it led us to La Parada, a tiny place off the beaten path of downtown Indy. From the moment we pulled up, I knew we would find authentic fare. It was in a small plaza with a panaderia (bakery) and Mexican grocery store. On the tv was a telenovela and the waitress gave those who looked the part (we didn't make the cut) the option of a spanish or english menu. Needless to say, my craving to be back in LA for some comida autentica was temporarily satisfied. I ordered enchiladas with a side of guacamole and Jimmy ordered a beef chimichanga. My only disappointment was that they didn't have a full bar because a margarita would have set the meal off right. Even Carter enjoyed chomping down on the tortilla chips.
Saturday Carter and I joined a mommy group for swim lessons at the IU Natatorium. Carter and I took a swim class last month so that took the edge off a bit of whether he would be receptive to it. Despite the fact that they had us in 5 ft deep water-causing me to be on my tip toes the whole class-we had a great time. Carter is shaping up to be a little fish. He likes floating on his back and is starting to kick his legs when on his tummy. He also gets great pleasure from splashing as much water as he can in mommy's face. After swimming, the mommy group went to lunch. Luckily, we chose a place where we could be confined in a private room because we had 6 kids between 12 and 20 months that wanted to run a muck. By another stroke of luck we had a server that was very patient and accommodating. I know this sounds strange coming from me, but I loved every minute of it (except when Carter was trying to escape and run through the restaurant). After lunch, we came home and hung out with Da-Da (Jimmy) for the rest of the day.
Today has shaped up to be my normal "Lazy Sunday." It started with an hour bike ride followed by a 20 minute run for my triathlon training. I was so stinky that I was trying to run away from myself. Jimmy stayed at least 5 paces behind me. After a much needed shower, I cooked breakfast and then had a quick visit from a friend who came over to check out our new digs. After she left, our plan was to pick us some furniture we purchased. To our dismay, it started pouring rain on the drive over. This was a problem since we were using a pick-up truck to haul the load. Oh well...better luck tomorrow. We headed home to veg out and play for the rest of the evening. I took the opportunity to take a much needed nap while Carter took his afternoon nap. I've never been a "nap" person but since having Carter, I take advantage of them whenever I can. It buys me a few extra hours after Carter goes to bed.
Now I'm in bed trying to hurry up and finish this post so I can cuddle up next to my honey. On that note, goodnight!
24 July 2011
17 July 2011
Frittata Anyone?
Here's a quick breakfast recipe that can serve up to 5 people. It's call a frittata, which is an italian dish similar to a quiche or omelette. The beauty of a frittata is that you can put whatever you like in it, such as potatoes, meats, veggies, and cheese. I will share the recipe for the one I made last week when we had friends over. The prep is about 15 minutes and the cook time is about 25 minutes. I will call this the Potato, Bacon, and Cheddar Frittata.
Ingredients
6 large eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream or milk
4 strips of bacon
1 baking potato
1/2 cup of sharp cheddar cheese
salt and pepper, to taste
3 tbsp olive oil
Preheat oven to Broil. Start by peeling the potato and cutting up into bite size pieces. Cook the bacon as directed on the package. Combine the eggs, cream/milk, salt, and pepper, and whisk until smooth. You will need a skillet that can also go into the oven (meaning, the handle won't melt). Once you locate that skillet, put about 3 tablespoons of olive oil in it and warm over low to medium-low heat. Add the potatoes to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and allow them to cook until browned and soft (about 15 minutes), stirring often. When potatoes are ready, add the eggs to the same skillet on top of the potatoes. Crumble the bacon into the skillet right after adding the eggs. Do not stir the eggs, just allow them to stiffen. This will take about 5 minutes. When they are almost cooked through but still a little yolky on top, add the cheese, and place into the oven. Broil for about 4 minutes or until browned on top. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Use a spatula to loosen around the edges and carefully remove the frittata in one piece to a serving plate and cut into pie-like slices.
Serve with a fruit salad and mimosas. Yummy!
Ingredients
6 large eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream or milk
4 strips of bacon
1 baking potato
1/2 cup of sharp cheddar cheese
salt and pepper, to taste
3 tbsp olive oil
Preheat oven to Broil. Start by peeling the potato and cutting up into bite size pieces. Cook the bacon as directed on the package. Combine the eggs, cream/milk, salt, and pepper, and whisk until smooth. You will need a skillet that can also go into the oven (meaning, the handle won't melt). Once you locate that skillet, put about 3 tablespoons of olive oil in it and warm over low to medium-low heat. Add the potatoes to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and allow them to cook until browned and soft (about 15 minutes), stirring often. When potatoes are ready, add the eggs to the same skillet on top of the potatoes. Crumble the bacon into the skillet right after adding the eggs. Do not stir the eggs, just allow them to stiffen. This will take about 5 minutes. When they are almost cooked through but still a little yolky on top, add the cheese, and place into the oven. Broil for about 4 minutes or until browned on top. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Use a spatula to loosen around the edges and carefully remove the frittata in one piece to a serving plate and cut into pie-like slices.
Serve with a fruit salad and mimosas. Yummy!
One More Thing to Check Off My Bucket List
As if I weren't busy enough, I have signed up to do my first triathlon on August 27th. It's called the Go Girl Triathlon and it's an all-female sprint distance triathlon at Eagle Creek Park in Indy. What this will entail is a 500 meter swim (in a lake), a 10 mile bike, and a 3 mile run. In the last few years I have run 3 marathons and 3 half marathons so a triathlon is just the next step in the progression to challenge myself physically. I've signed up with a training group so I could get some guidance from a coach who has experience doing triathlons. I am most worried about the swimming. I can swim...which to me means I won't drown...but I can't SWIM...which I learned very quickly on our first day of practice. I thought I was going to die after swimming 2 laps. Swimming laps is no joke. You literally are working every muscle in your body.
What I didn't research before signing up for the event, however, was the investment I would need to make in a new bike and tri gear. Who knew that a bike could be so expensive. The last time I got a bike I was a pre-teen and I'm pretty sure we got it from Meijer for about $100. My new bike was $550 (and that was an inexpensive one) and that doesn't even include gear like a helmet, air pump, shoes, pedals, etc. This is definitely a rich (wo)man's sport. I realize now why I like running so much. All you need is $80-100 for a good pair of running shoes and you're out.
Nonetheless, I'm having fun so far and my swimming is finally starting to improve a bit. I will keep you posted on the progress of my training as the event gets closer. Bike $550...Training Class...$200...Gym Membership (with pool) $400...Tri Registration Fee $60...The joy of getting my pre-pregnancy abs back...PRICELESS!
What I didn't research before signing up for the event, however, was the investment I would need to make in a new bike and tri gear. Who knew that a bike could be so expensive. The last time I got a bike I was a pre-teen and I'm pretty sure we got it from Meijer for about $100. My new bike was $550 (and that was an inexpensive one) and that doesn't even include gear like a helmet, air pump, shoes, pedals, etc. This is definitely a rich (wo)man's sport. I realize now why I like running so much. All you need is $80-100 for a good pair of running shoes and you're out.
Nonetheless, I'm having fun so far and my swimming is finally starting to improve a bit. I will keep you posted on the progress of my training as the event gets closer. Bike $550...Training Class...$200...Gym Membership (with pool) $400...Tri Registration Fee $60...The joy of getting my pre-pregnancy abs back...PRICELESS!
Long Hiatus
It seems like it's been almost a month since the last time I posted something. I swore to myself that if I started this blog I would keep up with it regularly. The problem of course is finding the time during my "hectic" life. Some of you may be chuckling at the use of the word "hectic" but trust me I am worn out at the end of everyday just like I was when working 10 hour billable days.
Jimmy and I closed on our first house together (my first house, period...woo hoo!) on July 1st. Since then, it's been a whirlwind of unpacking boxes, organizing, furniture shopping, repair guys, etc. Doing all of this with a 1 year old has forced me to redefine the word "efficiency." By the time Carter goes to sleep around 8:30-9:00 p.m. I try to squeeze out another 2-3 hours to get some things done before crashing. Theoretically, this is the time I should be using to add a new blog post but in reality, sometimes my brain is such mush I wouldn't even be able to form a coherent sentence. Instead, I end up using the time doing something that doesn't take much brain power, like folding laundry or surfing the web for the rug I need to buy for our living room. Or even better, I just use the time to cuddle up with my honey.
On top of getting the house ready we also had houseguests last weekend for the Kappa Centennial Celebration. Thankfully, we got the chance to relax, hang out, and have fun with friends. My parents were also in town and they got a chance to hang out with Carter who I think is finally starting to recognize them.
Now that things have settled down a bit, I plan to post more regularly. As I'm writing right now, I think the most ideal time will be during Carter's morning nap.
Jimmy and I closed on our first house together (my first house, period...woo hoo!) on July 1st. Since then, it's been a whirlwind of unpacking boxes, organizing, furniture shopping, repair guys, etc. Doing all of this with a 1 year old has forced me to redefine the word "efficiency." By the time Carter goes to sleep around 8:30-9:00 p.m. I try to squeeze out another 2-3 hours to get some things done before crashing. Theoretically, this is the time I should be using to add a new blog post but in reality, sometimes my brain is such mush I wouldn't even be able to form a coherent sentence. Instead, I end up using the time doing something that doesn't take much brain power, like folding laundry or surfing the web for the rug I need to buy for our living room. Or even better, I just use the time to cuddle up with my honey.
On top of getting the house ready we also had houseguests last weekend for the Kappa Centennial Celebration. Thankfully, we got the chance to relax, hang out, and have fun with friends. My parents were also in town and they got a chance to hang out with Carter who I think is finally starting to recognize them.
Now that things have settled down a bit, I plan to post more regularly. As I'm writing right now, I think the most ideal time will be during Carter's morning nap.
29 June 2011
My First Recipe
I've been cooking since I was about 6 years old. It started with scrambling eggs, boiling hot dogs, frying bologna (you know what I'm talking about), and making grilled cheese sandwiches. By the time I was 10, I was responsible for cooking dinner for my family one night a week. Needless to say, by the time I reached adulthood I had a pretty good repertoire. Some people are surprised to learn that I cook. I guess I don't give off that impression. I actually come from a family where eating in was the norm, eating out a treat, and where everyone (dad and brother included) contributed in the kitchen. I am so thankful for that upbringing now that I have a family of my own.
My main cooking inspirations are my mother and late paternal grandmother. These two ladies can (could) throw down in the kitchen. My mom loves to cook flavorful yet healthy food using fresh ingredients. She's also like MacGyver in the kitchen. No matter what you have in your fridge and pantry, she can whip up a gourmet meal. My grandmother made cooking look so effortless. I don't know if it was something she loved to do but growing up in Tennessee, her southern roots definitely shined through. Dinners around her kitchen table went fast. If you didn't get there when dinner was served, you probably didn't eat. I have to also give props to my dad who taught me a lot about the basics of cooking. His specialty is baking pies. I get my apple and blackberry pie recipes from him.
I don't consider myself a great cook but I can execute a recipe. Now that I have more time to focus on cooking I have started exploring new and different cooking styles and adding my own flare. Until recently I did not eat poultry, beef, pork, or any other kind of meat (except seafood) for about 13 years so the variation of what I'm cooking now has definitely expanded. I blame my husband for this. :-) With him being a carnivore, I quickly became annoyed at having to cook two separate meals. One night, I made him a t-bone steak and myself a tofu steak. While he was grubbing away at his steak, I looked down at my place and said to myself: "self, why are you eating this? It doesn't even taste good." At that moment I decided it was time for me to tip-toe back into the carnivorous world and I haven't looked back since.
Some of my recipes will be exact duplicates of a chef and I will give them credit where due. Others will be based on someone else's recipe with my own tweaks. On rare occasions I may even throw in an original recipe. Most of my cooking is semi-homemade, meaning I cook some things from scratch and get other things from a can, bottle, or frozen pack.
My first recipe is for spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs are from scratch and the sauce and pasta are store bought. The meatballs recipe is based on one from Bobby Flay but I have substituted some things based on what was available in my kitchen.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
4 ounces milk
4 large eggs
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1 slice whole wheat bread (tear into small bread crumbs)
2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic (can get this in a jar)
A generous sprinkling of dried Italian Seasoning (usually includes oregano, rosemary, parsley, and basil)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray cooking oil on top of foil. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl with your hands. Form into golf ball sized meatballs and place on foil. If mixture is not sticking together add more panko bread crumbs. Place in the oven and bake for 40 minutes.
While meatballs are baking, cook spaghetti in desired amount as stated on the package. Also, take a jar or two of your favorite pasta sauce and pour into a large deep skillet, cover and simmer over low heat. Once the meatballs are finished in the oven, place them, one by one, into the skillet with the sauce, making sure you spoon some sauce over them so they are covered. Continue to simmer for about 10 minutes.
After straining, place cooked pasta in a large serving bowl. Pour sauce and meatballs over pasta. Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan (or the Kraft stuff from a bottle) and serve with garlic bread (found in the frozen food section). Serves 3-4.
We had this last night for dinner and the leftovers for lunch today. So good. Enjoy!
My main cooking inspirations are my mother and late paternal grandmother. These two ladies can (could) throw down in the kitchen. My mom loves to cook flavorful yet healthy food using fresh ingredients. She's also like MacGyver in the kitchen. No matter what you have in your fridge and pantry, she can whip up a gourmet meal. My grandmother made cooking look so effortless. I don't know if it was something she loved to do but growing up in Tennessee, her southern roots definitely shined through. Dinners around her kitchen table went fast. If you didn't get there when dinner was served, you probably didn't eat. I have to also give props to my dad who taught me a lot about the basics of cooking. His specialty is baking pies. I get my apple and blackberry pie recipes from him.
I don't consider myself a great cook but I can execute a recipe. Now that I have more time to focus on cooking I have started exploring new and different cooking styles and adding my own flare. Until recently I did not eat poultry, beef, pork, or any other kind of meat (except seafood) for about 13 years so the variation of what I'm cooking now has definitely expanded. I blame my husband for this. :-) With him being a carnivore, I quickly became annoyed at having to cook two separate meals. One night, I made him a t-bone steak and myself a tofu steak. While he was grubbing away at his steak, I looked down at my place and said to myself: "self, why are you eating this? It doesn't even taste good." At that moment I decided it was time for me to tip-toe back into the carnivorous world and I haven't looked back since.
Some of my recipes will be exact duplicates of a chef and I will give them credit where due. Others will be based on someone else's recipe with my own tweaks. On rare occasions I may even throw in an original recipe. Most of my cooking is semi-homemade, meaning I cook some things from scratch and get other things from a can, bottle, or frozen pack.
My first recipe is for spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs are from scratch and the sauce and pasta are store bought. The meatballs recipe is based on one from Bobby Flay but I have substituted some things based on what was available in my kitchen.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
4 ounces milk
4 large eggs
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1 slice whole wheat bread (tear into small bread crumbs)
2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic (can get this in a jar)
A generous sprinkling of dried Italian Seasoning (usually includes oregano, rosemary, parsley, and basil)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray cooking oil on top of foil. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl with your hands. Form into golf ball sized meatballs and place on foil. If mixture is not sticking together add more panko bread crumbs. Place in the oven and bake for 40 minutes.
While meatballs are baking, cook spaghetti in desired amount as stated on the package. Also, take a jar or two of your favorite pasta sauce and pour into a large deep skillet, cover and simmer over low heat. Once the meatballs are finished in the oven, place them, one by one, into the skillet with the sauce, making sure you spoon some sauce over them so they are covered. Continue to simmer for about 10 minutes.
After straining, place cooked pasta in a large serving bowl. Pour sauce and meatballs over pasta. Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan (or the Kraft stuff from a bottle) and serve with garlic bread (found in the frozen food section). Serves 3-4.
We had this last night for dinner and the leftovers for lunch today. So good. Enjoy!
New Beginnings
My friend Christine has inspired me to start this blog to document my life experiences as a wife and mother and the joys and challenges that come along with these titles. Three years ago I met the love of my life at a dark bar in Venice, California. Two years ago we got married. One year ago, God blessed us with a beautiful baby boy who we named Carter James. For those of you that know me well, you will agree that "wife" and "mother" were not things I necessarily saw in my future. Now, I cannot imagine life without "my boys."
My husband Jimmy recently accepted a promotion at work which has relocated our family from Santa Monica, California to Carmel, Indiana (yes...we left California willingly). Along with the change in geography, my career also changed. I put on hold my seven year career as an attorney to dedicate my time to Jimmy and Carter. Again, for those that know me well, this decision was a bit of a shocker; especially since I was itching to go back to work after three months of maternity leave. Nonetheless, I have embraced my new role and have been surprised at how quickly I'm becoming domesticated...and I hate to say it...liking it.
The purpose of this blog is to give you a window into my new life in a new city. There is so much to experience and I can't wait to get started. I will also include some of my favorite recipes from time to time and share fun ideas for activities to do with your child(ren). Enjoy!
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