The Day I Put My Punky in a Pumpkin

It was a warm, 70-something degree October day (thankfully!) that started out like any other. Breakfast with Mama, morning nap, afternoon play time with Daddy after work, carving pumpkins on the back porch... then being stuffed inside a jack-o-lantern? Yea, it might seem a little crazy, but how stinking cute is this little pumpkin?!

well, might as well make the best of it...

Dad's Surprise 50th Birthday (White Chicken Chili Recipe)

the birthday boy!

This weekend we threw a surprise 50th birthday party for my dad. Between my cousins coming to visit with their baby girl, and the fact that it was actually on my birthday, he never saw it coming. Plus his birthday isn't for a couple of weeks yet. But boy, was it fun! We planned this party months ago when we found out that Nebraska and Ohio State were playing each other on my birthday. It sounded like the perfect opportunity to surprise Dad, and get a bunch of our family and friends together to watch the big game between my parents' home state Huskers and Michael's beloved Buckeyes.

our little husker & buckeye babies

In addition to good times, we also had quite the spread of food! Michael made his famous (at least to us) pulled pork in the smoker and then we put it in a slow cooker to keep it warm the day of the party (I'm hoping to get him to do a guest post on it, but not holding my breath...). I made a double batch of white chicken chili in the other crockpot, and we ordered upwards of 150 wings from KSR (a local hole-in-the-wall kind of place with the best wings ever!).  And of course, there was cake.  But for today, because it's freezing and fall and football season, here is my recipe for white chicken chili.

my amazing family



White Chicken Chili

Peanut Post: Baked Winter Squash Puree

To me, nothing says Fall like a warm baked squash or a nice butternut squash soup.  To share this warm fuzzy feeling with Annalyn, I decided to make her some baked squash puree.  I used an acorn and a butternut squash and made some of each and a little mixed puree.  When it comes to baby food, we always make a bunch and store it in the freezer to be made into fun combinations later.  For babies or the whole family, you can sprinkle baked squash with a little cinnamon or nutmeg and brown sugar to give it a nice warm dessert-like taste.



Baked Winter Squash Puree

Ingredients:

- 1 to 2 large winter squash (such as acorn and butternut)

- water

-butter or spices, if desired

Breakfast Quinoa with Cinnamon Apples (for you & baby!)

On one of my days off last week, I decided to make a breakfast dish that Annalyn & I could share.  I found this WW recipe (5 pts per 2/3 cup serving) for quinoa with cinnamon apples and thought it would be a good way to get some texture into Peanut's food.  If you've never tried quinoa before, I urge you to give it a shot.  It's a whole grain similar to rice, but has a round shape and a great flavor.  Annalyn did ok with it at first, but eventually it got a little hard for her to swallow, so I added some mashed banana and a little water and pureed it slightly.  She loved it!  She liked it so much that she decided to steal my spoon and eat the rest of mine, too (the joys of a semi-mobile baby).  Crazy little Peanut!

you weren't gonna eat that, right?



Breakfast Quinoa with Cinnamon Apples

Ingredients:

- 1 c. uncooked quinoa

- 2 sprays cooking spray

- 1 T. salted butter, divided

- 2 medium apples, chopped or diced

- 2 c. cold water

- 1/2 t. ground cinnamon

- 3 T. packed brown sugar (I left this out of Annalyn's cereal)

- 1/4 c. skim milk

3 More To Go!!!

As of today, I am only 3 years away from 30!  For the last decade, I have been looking forward to turning 30.  Yes, you read that right, I have been looking forward to turning 30.  You see, while my friends talk about being on "the wrong side of 25," I am finally getting to an age where I'm more comfortable in my own skin.  Don't get me wrong, my childhood was amazing, and sure, I enjoyed parts of my teens and early 20's, but I was never all that good at being my age.  But my 30's, I will rock. 

By 30, I've always pictured myself as being done with college, settled into a good job, having a house, and a growing family, and dare I say it, a minivan.  I've always told Michael that I will never expect him to throw me a birthday party, except for my 30th.  (My car will even be paid off by then... hint, hint!).  We are actually throwing a party tonight, but more on that later... For today, I'm going to enjoy turning 27 and be thankful for all the blessings in my life thus far.
 

Peanut Post: How I Out-Smarted the Star

Mama & Daddy were so proud of themselves for getting me this adorable little bath toy on our last Target date.  At first, I admit, I was intrigued... so colorful! so happy looking! it lights up! & sprays water - right at face level.  Thanks, guys, for luring me in only to be sprayed in the face.  But I wisened to this star and it's tricky games.  Take a look at how I got my revenge!

 

 

Take that, star!

 

Mama was so proud!



Ciabatta Chicken Sandwich with Avocado & Salsa Verde

Here's a delicious and simple spin on a WW sandwich recipe.  It's easy to make and takes only a few ingredients, but has lots of flavor.  Pair it with a quick soup or salad for a light and delicious meal.  To me, this meal just screams weekend brunch... and who doesn't love brunch, right?  It makes 4 servings, so it's perfect to enjoy with a couple of friends or kiddos.  Especially when mixed with yogurt and avocado, salsa verde has a very mild flavor that the whole family can enjoy.

Ciabatta Chicken Sandwich with Avocado & Salsa Verde

Ingredients:
- 12 oz. chicken breast lunch meat, thinly sliced
- 1/4 c. salsa verde (the green one)
- 2 T. non-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 3 oz. non-fat feta cheese
- 8 oz. Ciabatta bread
- 1 medium ripe avocado, sliced
- 2 t. lime juice, optional
-salt & pepper, to taste

Peanut Post: Happy Birthday, Grandma!!

Today is my Grandma Cindy's birthday! I don't get to see her until this weekend, so I had to send her card online... am I a child of the 21st century or what?! Happy Birthday, Grandma! Hope you have a great day :) Love, Peanut

so, I may have taken a small bite out of it...

no judgement!

Fresh Vegetable Soup

This recipe is a Weight Watchers dream.  Low in points with lots of flavor and packed full of healthy veggies!  It makes a great side, appetizer, or snack and is only 2 points per cup (leave out the potatoes and it's only 1 point per cup!).  Add 2 cups of cooked chicken breast (like the ones you shredded ahead and put in the freezer...) for a quick and easy weeknight meal, at only 6 points per 2 cup serving.  I paired it with a ciabatta chicken sandwich for a yummy soup/ sandwich combo.  To save even more time, I chopped some of the vegetables the night before.  (Dan, Shawna, & Remy arrived shortly after I got home from work and I wanted to get dinner on the table quickly so we could get to more important things... like dressing up the girls and subjecting them to lots and lots of pictures!)



Fresh Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

- 2 t. olive oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 rib celery, diced
- 3 medium red potatoes, quartered and thinly sliced
- 2 c. kale, chopped
- 1 c. cauliflower, chopped
- 1 c. broccoli, chopped
- 1/2 c. mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 8 c. vegetable stock (about 4 cans or 2 cartons)
- 2 t. thyme
- 1/4 c. salsa verde
- 2 T. hot sauce (optional)
- 1 c. fresh cilantro
- 1/2 t. salt
- 1/2 t. black pepper
- 2 T.  fresh lime juice

chop-ahead ingredients



**Be creative, add your favorite veggies, leave out the ones you don't like, and play around with the spices!  The possibilities are endless with this basic vegetable soup.

Happy October!!

Yes, we do have matching pajamas.  And yes, that is more pink than I've ever worn in my whole life... maybe even cumulatively.  But how could I resist these super comfy pj's after my Halloween costume from last year?  Did I mention they also glow in the dark... yea, pretty awesome.