Tackle It Tuesday has been pre-empted on account of a clingy baby. Even as I write I am holding and occasionally feeding my 10 week old baby. For the last couple of days I have a baby sized lump growing out of my arms. She seems healthy enough. Just clingy and starving. I guess my tackle today would be to be able to put her down long enough to get a cup of coffee and a bite to eat before I starve to death. Wish me luck!
Oh yeah, I guess I should think about feeding the rest of my family too at some point. Fun. Fun.
This is my menu plan I tried to keep it as simple as possible. I am trying to prepare family meals that are Weight Watchers Friendly. So far my family is loving all of the recipes I have found that fit into my diet.
Monday: Pork Chops and Brown Rice Tuesday: Whole wheat pasta and Tomato sauce Wednesday:Pineapple Chicken Thursday:Pineapple Pork Stir Fry Friday:Mexican Chicken Saturday: Pot of Pizza Sunday:Marinated Chicken
Pineapple Chicken (crockpot)
4 whole boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed salt & pepper to taste 20 oz pineapple chucks in juice (count points or drain juice & use water) 2 tbsp dijon mustard 2 tbsp soy sauce 4-5 cloves garlic, chopped 1 large onion, chopped
Season chicken with salt & pepper. Add all ingredients to crock pot. Cook on low 7-9 hours OR on high 3 to 4 hours. Serve over brown rice or whole wheat pasta.
Pineapple Pork Stir Fry *Core plus points for sweet & sour sauce
16 oz lean pork tenderloin 1 small apple, chopped 1 small zucchini, sliced 1/2 red onion, chopped 1 c canned pineapple, drained, chopped 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped 1 clove garlic, diced 1/4 c sweet and sour sauce (points depend on brand used) cooking spray (or healthy oil, & adjust to Core allotment) brown rice, for serving
Cook rice according to package directions. Slice tenderloin into thin strips. Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray (or use healthy oil) and cook tenderloin until evenly browned on both sides. Remove. Spray again and saute fruits and vegetables until crisp-tender. Add pork and sweet and sour sauce. Stir fry for 1-2 minutes until fully coated and pork is cooked through.
Lightly spray crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Place corn in bottom of crockpot, followed by cubed chicken, salsa and beans. Lightly stir the beans into the salsa. Cook on high for one hour. Reduce heat to low. Cook 8-9 hours. Add cheese just before serving.
Pot of Pizza
8 ounces extra lean ground beef or turkey 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped green pepper 1/2 cup (one 2.5 ounce jar) sliced mushrooms, drained 1 3/4 cup (one 15-ounce can) Hunt's Tomato Sauce 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning 1 teaspoon pourable Splenda 3 cups cooked whole wheat noodles, rinsed and drained 1/4 cup shredded fat free or soy Cheddar cheese 1/4 cup shredded fat free or soy Mozzarella cheese
In a large skillet, sprayed with olive-oil-flavored cooking spray, brown meat, onion and green pepper. Stir in mushrooms, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and Splenda. Pour mixture into a slow cooker sprayed with butter-flavored cooking spray. Spread noodles over meat mixture. Layer cheddar and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours/ Mix well before serving Serves 6 (1 cup)
Note - Add 1 WPA per serving if you prefer reduced fat cheese instead of ff/soy.
Marinated Chicken
1 chicken, (2-1/2 to 3 pound) 3/4 cup Soy sauce 1/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice 1 Tbs dried onion flakes 1/2 tsp dry mustard 1 clove garlic, minced
Combine all ingredients except chicken. Put chicken in plastic bag and pour in the combined ingredients. Marinate for at least 4 hours or over night. Remove chicken and place in crockpot. Cook on low for 4-5 hours
It is just a sleepy day today. I am taking it easy and just relaxing and enjoying the day. Princess Mag-pie is playing in her bouncy seat, Princess Belle is outside with her friends, Prince Charming is napping upstairs. And me? I am relaxing with my third cup of coffee today. (It is decaf though, so that is something, right?) My house could use my attention, but it isn't a disaster so I am going to relax until it is time to put my chicken in the oven to roast.
I am playing with html again. That is fun for me. I like to learn new things that I can do.
This layout features some pictures of my beautiful baby girl sleeping. I love to watch her sleep. Her little lashes are just so beautiful and she is so angelic.
I used: S.J. Wright Creations kit called "little monkey" Greedz kit called "Polka Party"
The theme this week is View. When I thought of this theme, I thought immediately of the way I have been playing with viewpoints and angles in my new pictures. I have been getting some interesting pics and the subject matter is always adorable anyway. LOL
I have a terrible headache today. That sucks but I am still going to try to get things done today. I have even attacked laundry already today. I may even get caught up on my housework and my sleep some time this year.
Princess Mag-pie slept 8 whole hours last night!!! I woke up feeling like I took a vacation. She woke up starving.
I am so glad that all of our shows are starting up again. I love to cuddle Princess Mag-pie in the evenings (when she is fussy) while watching my shows. Heck, I will admit it, I love to cuddle Princess Mag-pie anytime. I love to walk into her room and stand over her crib until she sees me and smiles at me. I feel like my heart will just overflow.
We are hoping to be able to get a brand new living room set in the next couple of months. We haven't had a new couch since we first got together (many years ago).
I am proud that our house finally starting to look like grownups live here and not poor college students. Which is good because we haven't been college students for quite some time. (again many years).
I am doing diet research trying to figure out a way to get me to have an easier time with this diet. I am really struggling right now. I know part of it is because I am just so tired with the baby.
Princess Belle is going on a walk with her class tomorrow that should be fun for her.
I took Princess Belle to the doctor on Wednesday. The doctor agreed that she obviously needs to have an assessment done to see how we can help her. She is trying to get an appointment with a specialist in behavioural difficulties like ADHD, Autism, etc. I think she is ADHD. Princess Belle was her active, hyper, uncontainable self at the doctors office. I hardly had to explain what was wrong (although I did) I could have just pointed at her and said, "Look at her. You can see.)
Her school is doing their own assessments as well. Everyone seems to be the most concerned with getting her help as soon as possible.
My house is starting to look better. A little at a time, I am starting to get it under control, cleaning wise.
I gave both girls a bath tonight. I put the baby bath in the bathroom and sat on the floor and bathed her while Princess Belle had a bath too. Princess Belle thought it was great.
Princess Belle keeps waking up her sister. She has no idea how to be quiet at all.
I am practicing taking pics from different angles and viewpoints. Just experimenting to see what I come up with.
Princess Mag-pie gets cranky every evening. I don't really mind, I just cuddle her a lot but you can count on her to be cross for a couple of hours every night.
Princess Mag-pie just loves her bath. She is absolutely adorable in it.
I spent a couple of hours today cuddling Princess Mag-pie researching Weight Watchers.
I am going to do a menu plan again before I get groceries. It helps to make sure I get enough of everything.
Princess Belle starts eating on the school lunch program next week. She is looking forward to that.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
I wasn't going to do a Tackle this week. I had been busy all day cleaning my kitchen, doing laundry and getting things done and I didn't have time to stop and blog about stuff. But as I sat down to finally do my blog, I mentioned to Prince Charming that I wasn't going to do a tackle this week and he said, "Why not? You tackled the heck out of this house today! You should do it this week for sure."
So I have no pictures but you will have to take my word (and Prince Charming's vote of approval) that I have indeed tackled the heck out of my house. I have done numerous loads of laundry, cleaned my kitchen, washed all the baby stuff, and even gave little Princess Mag-pie a bath. (I have to say she smells delicious now)
So, with a clean kitchen, washed, dried, and folded laundry and wonderful smelling baby, I have to say, I did pretty well today.
On a side note, Princess Mag-pie loves her bath time. She was so sweet, kicking the water and splashing and laughing. It was a lot of fun for us both.
This is great! I just made me laugh out loud and the old stuff at the end brought tears to my eyes. I LOVE him.
This is my menu plan I tried to keep it as simple as possible. I am trying to prepare family meals that are Weight Watchers Friendly. Recipes are included for all of these recipes.
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. In a large casserole, combine all ingredients, mixing well. 3. Bake,covered, 35-45 minutes. 4. Remove cover; bake 10-15 minutes longer. 5. Serve immediately.
TACO SOUP ( 1 pt. for 1 cup)
1/2-pound turkey or 90% lean ground beef, buffalo, or Morning Star Crumbles 48 oz V-8 1 can kidney beans--drained 1 can garbanzo beans--drained (I just use 2 cans kidney beans total for beans) 1 can corn--drained 1 can diced tomatoes 1 package taco seasoning mix
1/4 Cup brown sugar (optional)
Brown the ground turkey or beef. Drain off any fat. Add remaining ingredients and simmer or cook in a crock-pot on low. I like to add water up to the top of the pot because I get more servings (at least 10). Serve with desired condiments: diced onion, grated cheese, sour cream, taco chips, etc (but add extra points for those) .
POINTS: 2 pts for 2 cup serving
PORK TENDERLOIN with BALSAMIC CRANBERRY SAUCE
Hands-on time: 15 minutes Time to table: 25 minutes Serves 4
1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 pound pork tenderloin
Salt & pepper
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced
1/2 cup non-fat chicken broth
1/2 cup canned cranberry sauce with whole berries
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt & pepper
Preheat oven to 450F. Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter in ovenproof skillet on medium high. Sprinkle meat with salt and pepper, add to skillet. Sear pork on all sides, about 2 minutes, then transfer to oven for 10 minutes or until meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion reaches 150F. Cover meat with foil, let rest 5 minutes.
1 lb lean ground beef (I used Laura's Lean - 16 pts for the lb) 1 medium onion chopped I can cambell's 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup (3 pts) 1 cup fat free sour cream (3.5 pts) 1 small can drained mushrooms
Brown beef and onions together, drain well. Stir in soup and sour cream and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve over lite toast, pasta or baked potato.
1 cup = 5.625 pts (4 servings) 2/3 cup = 3.75 pts (6 servings) 1/2 cup = 2.813 pts (8 servings)
Saucy Baked Pork Chops
4 4-oz lean boneless Pork Chops 1 cup chopped Onion 1 can Healthy Request Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup 3 tbsp Ketchup 3 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
Place pork chops in an oven-safe baking dish or the crock of a crockpot. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Mix the other ingredients together in a small bowl and pour over chops. If using the oven, bake at 350* for one hour. If using the crockpot, cook on low for 8-10 hours.
This makes fabulous gravy that is wonderful over mashed potatoes or grain of choice.
We had our little Princess Mag-pie christened today. She was an angel quiet and peaceful, even when they put water on her. Princess Belle went with the children down to the Sunday School. I am glad as there was no way she was going to keep still. NONE AT ALL.
I have some pics. I hate my hair and I hate how my arms look but here we are just the same. The first one is with my best friend, her godmother.
The theme this week is Road. I have several pics that this theme brought to mind. The first is of my big girl and her daddy walking down the road hand in hand. Another is of the bus pulling away on her first day of kindergarten. And the last one, is of her and my best friend walking down the road together. They adore each other.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
