New Week.... New Clothes!

What a week! We had a repeat ultrasound on Tuesday and got to see our HEALTHY, GROWING baby girly again... the lady who did the ultrasound said she has some chubby cheeks! And she has the cuuuuuuuutest little profile :) Little did I know that they were also planning to do my glucose tolerance test. Apparently our doc likes to 'suprise' test her patients so as to get a more realistic reading, as opposed to the more traditional fasting test. And boy were we suprised! Michael took the morning off of work to go with me to the appointment, but had to be back by noon for a flight. Well, the glucose test takes over an hour... so a little heads up in this situation would've been nice. Fortunately we were able to see our baby girl, meet with the doc, do the glucose test, stop for Starbucks, and get back to Kingsville just in time.

I've been pretty conscious of my eating habits while I've been pregnant and haven't had a whole lot of crazy, awful cravings (Captain Crunch, chocolate chip cookies, pickles, extra sharp cheeses). When I have had a craving I'll take a few bites to satisfy and be done with it. I've still been exercising at least 5 days a week. Doc said I'm 'perfect' as far as weight gain... YAAAAAAY!! While I was on the treadmill at home this morning I glanced over at our baby jogger - can't wait to little girl is old enough (they say 6 months) to head out for a run with me. I'm looking forward to family bike rides, walks, and maybe even running together some day :)

That glucose stuff is terrrrrrrific-ible! Like a super sweet orange gatorade that gets worse with each swallow. Bleck.

We're heading north for Christmas next week and I just realized that I have hardly any long-sleeved/sweaters/winter clothes that fit comfortably with my growing belly! Here in Texas I'm still wearing tanks and shortsleeve cotton shirts with a light cotton cardigan if it gets chilly (I'm talkin 68 degrees). Soprano and Express Featherweight Tees have been GREAT because they stretch so well. Stretching sweaters? Not so much. SO - with the nearest maternity store or department store with a maternity section being an hour away, I headed to *gasp* Maurices and was pleasantly suprised. Leggings and long sweaters... and some flat black suede boots... I love my heeled boots, but I probably shouldn't be wearing them a whole lot.

I've been having baby dreams this week too... she is the most beautiful little girl! Can't wait to meet her! She kicks and flips all the time... I think we have a little athleta on our hands :) Daddy says no dance team and no cheerleading (and to er, "stay off the pole")... I say, whatever she wants to do (obviously off the pole)! The world is hers for the taking!!

25 Weeks Pregnant
You’re 25 weeks pregnant and it’s probably dawned on you that soon you’ll actually have to deliver this baby. (A little scary, but exciting!) What’s cool is that most hospitals will let you preregister, which means you can put in your paperwork early, so the day you go into labor, you don’t have to stand around filling out a bunch of forms before you get admitted. Maybe you’re getting nervous about delivery, or maybe it’s your haywire hormones, but you might start to have trouble sleeping around week 25. This is a common complaint of many moms-to-be. Some people will tell you that’s just your body’s way of prepping you for sleepless nights with baby, but those comments won’t help you get the rest you need! Experiment with different strategies for getting some sleep. One idea is to drink extra water early in the day, so you can start tapering off your intake as you get closer to bedtime. That way, you might need less bathroom breaks during the night and can keep sleeping. After all, now that baby’s crowding your bladder, you’ve got to pee. A lot.


Baby's the size of an eggplant! During month six, the average fetus measures about 13.6 inches to 14.8 inches and weighs about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds.

Baby at 25 weeks She's enjoying her new sense of equilibrium -- she now knows which way is up and which is down.
She's growing more fat and more hair too!

Pregnancy symptoms at 25 weeks
Constipation. Be sure to eat plenty of fiber-rich foods!
Hemorrhoids -- baby is putting a ton of pressure on your digestive tract. And the constipation certainly isn't helping.
Gas and bloating. Your hormones are slowing down digestion, creating excess gas.
Heartburn. Since baby is pushing on your digestive system it can push stomach acid up your esophagus.
All-over aches and pains, thanks to hormone fluctuations.
Trouble sleeping. It's tough to get comfy with that big belly in the way!

6 months! Holy Cow!

I can’t believe I’m 6 months pregnant! 24 weeks translates into 6 months, right? I keep asking Michael that… it just doesn’t seem possible and I certainly don’t feel like I look 6 months pregnant like I thought I would. Bigger? Yes. Huge? Not yet. Although, a friend of ours saw me at the squadron Christmas party on Saturday for the first time in several months and the first thing he said was, "OH MY GOD! You’re huge!" This coming from a guy that they call The Hulk and also made an appearance on American Gladiators did not exactly make me feel tiny (kidding ;) it was all in good fun)… considering he is the one that is huge. I told his girlfriend that she has some ‘training’ to do.

Anyway…. Thanks to my wonderful Grandma and parents we now have our jogging stroller and crib all ready to go! The crib came in this week and Michael assembled it yesterday – it’s adorable and I love how the room is really starting to look more like a baby girl’s room! It took the two of us to figure out how to assemble the crib mobile though J The rocker should be in this week and then we’ll be able to arrange the furniture better. I can’t wait to add little touches… like wall shelves, letters of her name, pictures, and maybe even some fun vinyl wall decals ordered off of Etsy. My only dilemma so far has been the closet. Our house is relatively small with very little storage space. Baby’s room previously served as our guest room/my craft room. Well, I decided to keep half of the closet dedicated to my craft things since I plan to use them even once she is born rather than haul it all to storage and save the other half for all things baby girl. Now I’m worried that half of a closet isn’t enough room for her things. Thoughts?

Here’s the 24 week update!Drink up! Around 24 weeks, your doctor will order a Glucose Tolerance Test -- one of the more memorable prenatal tests -- to see if you’re at risk for gestational diabetes. Basically, the test is designed to see how your body processes sugar, so you’ll be asked to drink a cup of a sweet drink called Glucola (which reminded us of Gatorade) and then hang out for an hour. Once the hour is up, you’ll have your blood drawn and then it will be tested to see how your body has processed the sugar. You know what’s also sweet? Those movements and kicks you’ve been feeling. They seem to get stronger every week. At week 24, baby’s progress isn’t just about internal stuff, it’s about her looks too. With pinker, more opaque skin, she’s looking more and more, well, like a baby. You, on the other hand, are probably experiencing some of the discomforts of the later months of pregnancy at week 24 -- leg cramps, backaches, swollen feet. Hang in there, mama-to-be!
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Baby’s the size of a papaya!
Your 10.5-to-11.8-inch fetus weighs about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces and every week she gets closer and closer to being ready to survive (and thrive!) in the outside world.


Baby at 24 weeks

• Her see-through skin is gradually becoming more opaque.
• And it's got a new pink glow, thanks to the small capillaries that have recently formed.

Pregnancy symptoms at 24 weeks

• Swollen ankles and feet. Be sure to elevate them while you're sitting. Not yet, thank goodness!
• Leg cramps, which can be sign of dehydration. Yes.... terrible ones!
• Back aches -- Yup, still!
• Linea nigra. That's the dark line that runs up the center of your belly. It will fade after baby's born. Nope.
• Stretch marks, which may continue to appear as your skin stretches even more. Fortunately, no.

Maternity Clothes: Almost all maternity… jeans especially although I still wear a BellaBand so I can wear a pair or two of my favorite non-maternity jeans. I can still fit into regular tops, but if I’m feeling extra self-conscious I’ll throw on a maternity shirt. My grandma also sent me some super cute maternity dresses! I wore one to our Christmas party and got lots of compliments on it.

Movement: LOTS! She rolls over, kicks, punches…. We even saw her move from the outside, which was pretty neat. She’s most active in the late afternoon/evening… I can’t get enough of feeling her wiggle around!

Food cravings: Extra sharp cheddar cheese (w/ pickles...), Regular Coke (NOT giving into this one, so Coke Zero will have to do)

Symptoms: Sore feet and aching back!

Exercise: Gradually decreasing the intensity. I still exercise 5 days/week. I usually do 3 days of circuit training (i.e. 20 minutes of total cardio time plus lower/upper body strength moves) and then 2 days of 30-45 minutes of cardio. I haven’t been running much because it hurts in my groin! So it’s either the elliptical or fast-paced, incline walking, which does my heart rate just fine.

Bumpin'!

Holy moly, I haven't updated in 2 weeks! Have I told you that we decided on a name? Yep.. Baby Girl has an official name.. but we're not sharing :)

I finally felt her move last weekend (it would've been November 11th). We decided to go to a movie (In Time w/ Justin Timberlake = it was worth seeing!!) and I really wanted Skittles, which is odd because #1 I rarely eat candy and #2 when I do eat candy, it's something chocolately, definitely not skittles or starburst type things. So I gave in to my graving, downed the entire bag (it's okay, Michael kept the popcorn to himself), and a few minutes later I jumped right in the middle of the movie. Michael asked if I was okay and I told him I felt her move! This last weekend she has been moving like crazy... probably because she is so excited about her newly painted room :) We picked out 'Autumn Harvest' and 'Mother of Pearl'... her bedding came last week also... can't wait to order her crib and get everything situated so I can start adding all the detail-type stuff... either way, this little girl is going to have one adorable room!

The kicking feels like little 'pops' or 'bursts'... definitely hard to explain. On Saturday Michael was able to feel her, too :) We can't wait to meet you Baby Girl!

your baby's the size of a banana!

At 10.5 inches and about 12.2 ounces, she's big enough now that you've probably been feeling her movements.

 

 

Baby at 21 weeks

• As her digestive system preps for the outside world, she's manufacturing meconium -- the tarry black substance you'll find in her first dirty diaper (ew)!
• If it's a girl, she's already got a lifetime's supply of eggs in her womb -- about six million of them!

pregnancy symptoms at 21 weeks

• Some heartburn and/or indigestion. Avoid spicy and greasy foods and other triggers.
• Braxton Hicks contractions. Your uterus might occasionally feel tight as it practices for labor.
• Leaky boobs. Your milk ducts will be fully developed by the end of this trimester.
• Dry, itchy skin, from all that stretching over your growing bump.
• Stretch marks. You skin gets pulled thinner as baby grows. Don't worry, they should fade significantly after birth

19 weeks and finally feelin it...

Feeling pregnant that is.

My belly is starting to feel more like a baby bump than just more of a tummy than I'm used to having; which was really disheartening since my peronal favorite body part has usually been my flat, toned tummy. But now it's a little more rounded, a little more firm, and a little more baby bump-ish!

Michael was supposed to be home today, but will now be home tomorrow :( The overwhelmingness continues with baby and Christmas goings-on. One day at a time, right? I'm really, really looking forward to having him home and to our ultrasound appointment next Thursday!!

I'm not too familiar with mangoes, so I'll have to check one out at WalMart when I'm there later so see how big baby really... but here's what's going on this week:

Baby's the size of a mango!

At about 6.0 inches long and weighing in at about 8.5 ounces, she's getting there!

 

:

Baby at 19 weeks

• Developing a protective coating over her skin, called vernix caseosa. It's greasy and white and you may see some of it at her birth.
• Working on her five senses. Nerve cells for her sense of taste, hearing, sight and smell are developing in her brain.

 

 

Symptoms at 19 weeks

• Aches and pains in your abdomen, caused by your muscles stretching to accommodate baby. YES! Especially when rolling over at night or stretching above my head - ouch!
• Dizziness or lightheadedness Good thing there's a wall/door right next to our fridge. I was getting water this morning and got suddenly lightheaded...
• Leg cramps: one way to ease the pain: Extend your leg and flex your ankle and toes toward your knees. Or enlist your partner for a calf (and back!) massage. Sometimes... I keep a box under my desk at work to prop my feet up. I try to stretch and move around as much as I can during the day.
• Hip pain. If it bothers you at night, try sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees. I felt this for the first time the other night when I was getting up from the couch... it felt like I had done a really instense plyo workout.

18 Weeks = No Sleep

Apparently my body is right on for not being able to sleep much this week. I've been super uncomfortable and my mind just won't shut off at night. At the end of the workday I'm completely exhausted and usually nap/read for a half hour or so before making dinner. This may also have to do with my current obsession with The Hunger Games series; I'm on the 2nd book, Catching Fire. Regardless, I can't wait for Michael to be home again (one week to go!) to help me relax and help with dinner every once in a while. I made a baked pasta dish on Monday that lasted me most of the week and a good friend had me over for yummy enchiladas last night, so life's been easier on the cooking front this week. It was nice to have some company for dinner as well!

I just got a wave of anxiety about how much there is to do before baby... eeeks. Baby registry, baby room, birthing classes, baby shower.... fortunately I can't think too much about the registry or the room until we find out the sex, right?

Sooo...

What the heck is baby doing in there at 18 weeks? A lot!

He’s working his muscles and practicing all kinds of moves. (Can you feel them yet?) Over the next few weeks, you should make sure to start sleeping on your side. That’s because baby (and your uterus) are getting big enough to press against large veins in the back of your abdomen, which can reduce the amount of blood going to your heart, making you feel lightheaded, or worse, lowering your blood pressure. Of course, your veins aren’t the only things that are prone to pressure -- you might be too! Not only are you super busy, but you might be having some not-so-fun symptoms, like swollen feet or hands, backaches, leg cramps and nosebleeds. And the stress and discomfort might be keeping you up at night around week 18. Be sure, in your hectic schedule, that you plan some time to unwind. (Great excuse for some pregnancy pampering! Can you say prenatal massage?!) It’s important to give your body and your mind a break for a little while. That just might help you get the sleep you need, too.

The size of a sweet potato!

She's about 5.6 inches long and about 6.7 ounces now and she keeps on growing rapidly.

(That's why you're probably feeling so hungry.)

Baby at 18 weeks:

• Yawning, hiccuping, sucking and swallowing!
• And she's twisting, rolling, punching and kicking, too -- and she's big enough that you might be able to feel her doing it!

Pregnancy Symptoms: What you might be feeling at 18 weeks

• Baby's kicks -- they're getting stronger! (I haven't felt any yet, this makes me want to cry! Where are you Baby?)
• Swollen feet and/or hands. An annoying pregnancy symptom, but nothing to worry about as long as the swelling isn't sudden or severe. (No)
• Back aches. Baby's putting a lot of pressure on your insides. (Occasionally, but I really think my exercising has helped a lot with avoiding these)
• Leg cramps. They can be a sign of dehydration, so drink up! (My Nalgene bottle never leaves my side! I've gotten cramps in my calves, but only when I stretch throughout the day)
• Varicose veins, a product of all that extra pressure on your circulatory system. (Nope!)
• Trouble sleeping. Your mind is working overtime and you're getting more and more uncomfortable. (Yes...... )
• Increased pressure on the veins in your nose may be causing nosebleeds. (I haven't had any in a while, this is good news at least)

I really don't feel pregnant. I know I have to wear pants with stretchy waistbands right now and sleeping is uncomfortable because I'm a tummy sleeper. I've also noticed that bending or reaching over to pick things up has gotten more difficult (any annoying), but other than that I'm a little sad that I don't feel more pregnant. I know I will eat my words in a few more weeks, but at 18 weeks I feel like I should at least be showing a little more or feeling a kick or two!

17 and some change...

I'm 17 weeks and 2 days! Work has been crazy busy so my blogging time has been reduced.. yes, I was blogging at work. My bad.
Michael has been gone 9 days so far... and we have 12 more days to go. Almost halfway there! It's gone fast, but I still miss him like CRAZY. I've been keeping busy at work, working out, cooking, and deep cleaning the house (which is what I usually do when he's gone). So far I've cleaned out the garage, gone through and sorted all my clothes and shoes, cleared out and organized the guest room/craft room that will become baby's room soon, and various other little cleaning things. I sat in the "baby room" today and visualized what it will look like as a nursery..... ah can't wait!

I've remained consistent with my workouts - 6 days a week/45 minutes, alternating between cardio days and circuit training days. My cardio days are purely running (usually 3+ miles) and my circuit training is a mix of cardio on the spin bike or elliptical along with a circuit of upper/lower body strength moves. I'm usually the first one to the gym in the mornings (5:30!) so I have my pick of equipment and have found the back room to be a nice place to set up my circuit with body bars, free weights, bosu balls, and medicine balls. Nice!

What have I been eating to refuel after those calories burned??! Well, my usually healthy meals plus the following new recipes I tried this week...

Oreo Bars- Delicious!!


Avocado Pasta - Pretty good, a little heavy on the garlic..


Crock Pot Lava Cake- Good, but I have a much better recipe for individual lava cakes.









Lemon Blueberry Breakfast Cake- AMAZING! Perfect for a Saturday or Sunday morning.


Tomato Basil Cream Ravioli - Yummy, but very rich.


You can find all of these recipes by following me on Pinterest! Sorry, I'm being lazy and don't feel like linking all the recipes to their respective websites.

Anywho... this is what's goin on in Week 17!!

Try not to get freaked out by the numbers on your scale. At 17 weeks, baby’s working on getting stronger, and your body’s working on getting bigger. That means putting on some pounds and -- we hate to break it to you -- getting some stretch marks. Make sure you document your growing bump by taking lots of photos. Sure, you might not always feel so pretty, but one day you’re going to look back at pregnancy and reminisce (really -- we promise). You’ll also want to start figuring out some plans, like whether or not you’re going to find out baby’s gender (you should be able to soon!), and what kind of childbirth class you’d like to take. As you start making these decisions, the pregnancy will feel even more real, which is probably super exciting, but part of you is probably feeling a little nervous. After all, you’re at week 17; that’s almost halfway there and there’s still a lot left to do. Chill! You’ll get it done. Just remember not to try to do it all yourself -- ask for help!

Baby's now the size of an onion!
Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. His umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes now feature one-of-a-kind prints.

Baby at 17 Weeks:

• Her rubbery cartilage is now turning to bone.
• And she's growing some meat on those bones -- putting on some fat.
• She's growing a stronger, thicker umbilical cord, too.

Pregnancy Symptoms: 

•  Sweat, mucus and more bodily fluids. They're in full force, because of your increased blood flow.
• Weird dreams. This might be hormonal, but it might also be the result of your nerves and anticipation.
• Itchy boobs and bump -- as they're growing, your skin is stretching thinner.
• Rapid weight gain. You've probably gained about five to 10 pounds by now. (Try 13!)

Welcome to Your 16th Week of Life, Sweet Baby!

So what's up with Baby Swyers at Week 16? It's news to me, too, so let's find out:

Stay on the lookout for some fluttering sensations in your abdomen. It might not be right at 16 weeks, but pretty soon you’ll start feeling baby moving around in there. At first those moves might feel like gas or a muscle twitch, but over time, as baby gets bigger and stronger, they’ll be unmistakable. Baby’s starting to be able to hear your voice -- and she’ll recognize it at birth -- so feel free to chat her up.

Avocado-Sized!

Now, she's about 4.6 inches long and weighs about 3.5 ounces, and she's big enough that your doctor may be able to hear her heartbeat.

Baby at 16 Weeks

• She's listening to your voice, thanks to tiny bones forming in her ears.
• She's growing hair, lashes and eyebrows.
• And she's forming taste buds.

Pregnancy Symptoms

• You might start feeling baby move!
• I'm not sure, but I thought so the other day when I was sitting quietly at my desk.... felt like a muscle twitch to me!
• Back aches, another effect of pregnancy hormones. Make sure you're exercising, that you're sitting and standing up straight and do some stretches.
• First nasty back ache yesteryday.. I move around enough at work and stretch everyday so hopefully I can minimize this.
• Shortness of breath, as your lungs continue to get more crowded.
• Even bigger boobs -- they should be ready for breastfeeding by the end of the second trimester.
• My balance has been off lately when I bend over to pick things up... 'nuff said :)
• Forgetfulness (a.k.a. pregnancy brain). No one knows for sure what causes this!
• I would describe it as my brain feeling like it's in slow-motion...
• Faster hair and nail growth (a great excuse for a new cut and manicure).
• Dry, itchy, sensitive eyes. Blame the hormones once again.
• Glowing skin (finally -- that pregnancy glow that people are always talking about!)

I think it's absolutely amazing that Baby can hear my voice already!! I've been saying funny things to him/her for a while now... like, "Please be like me, please be like me" (kidding, of course) whenever Michael does something ridiculous. The second trimester has been smooth-sailing so far... more energy and able to eat normally again! I can't wait to feel Baby move and know that it was really Baby moving in there. I'm not positive what I felt the other day was movement, but the thought was super exciting!

In other news... Michael is off to El Centro for 3 weeks again. He left this morning and all I could think was that when he comes back he'll probably want to know who this huge woman is in his house... I expect to be showing a bit more in 3 weeks! Here's my bump (or lackthereof) now:



One of the many things I do to keep busy when Michael is gone is to try out new recipes... Here's a few that I plan to whip up on a Saturday or Sunday morning while catching up with all my DVR'd shows that I "can't" watch when he's home (Grey's Anatomy, Dr. Phil, Millionaire Matchmaker, etc):

Cinnamon Roll Cake

 Buttermilk Blueberry Breakfast Cake


YUM!

Weekend Update - Almost 16 weeks

This weekend was soooooo nice...

Friday we went to Doc's on Padre Island for a dinner party for Michael's squadron... it's a looooooong drive from Kingsville, but Doc's is a fun, yummy place and it was nice to chat with some people we hadn't seen in a while. I ordered a cranberry & sprite so it at least looked and felt a little more festive :)

Saturday was for cleaning, cooking, and football! Huskers won in an awesome/not-so-awesome game against Ohio State. We enjoyed a low key evening with BBQ pulled chicken from the crockpot and pumpkin pudding, which I also made in the crockpot. BTW, I found both of those recipes on Pinterest and they were delicious!

Sunday we went to church then headed to Corpus for shopping/dinner date. Michael was sweet enough to accompany me during a much-needed (and dreaded) trip to shop for some maternity clothes. The lady was very helpful so all Michael had to do was read all the post-game Huskers articles and give me his approval whenever I stepped out of the dressing room :) The belly pillow you put on to see how clothes will fit you a few months was a fun thing to see! I ended up with a couple pairs of jeans, leggings (ehhhh... not so sure about those yet), and a couple tops. Then we headed to Water Street for a late lunch/early dinner... it was pouring outside and we really enjoyed a leisurely meal watching the storms blow through.

Now it's back to work... and what a suprise this morning! I think I felt the first movements - little flutters almost like muscle twitches! Can't wait for our ultrasound appointment next week!

Hungry, Hungry Hippo!

I don't know if it's because I've been working out in the mornings the past 2 days or what, but my appetite has suddenly cranked it up a notch (or two, or three, or four....)

I got up at 5:15... hit the gym from 5:30-6:30...

My Momma-To-Be Workout looked like this:
10 Minutes on Stairstepper at a Level 5 (my HR was somewhere between 130 and 145)
Lat Pulldowns x 12
Tricep Pulldowns x 12
Seated Row x 12
Squats w/ Bar x 20
Plie Squats w/ Bar x 20

Repeat all x 3 (So 30 minutes on stairstepper, and 3 sets of each exercise). Whew!
Bye bye 500 calories... time to refuel..

For breakfast I had a small veggie omelet (from Schwan's),  1/4 C. cottage cheese, and a mini bagel around 7:30
 +   +

At 9:15 I dove into the cup of grapes I brought to work...

At 10:00 my tummy was rumbling again so I reached for a handful of oven roasted dark chocolate almonds stashed in my desk...

It's now 10:55 and I am starving! Lunch isn't for another hour.... my choices are: Peanut M&Ms, Swedish Fish, or more almonds.... I wish I had some of that eggless cookie dough I made last night :)

My sweet, sweet husband stopped at the store for me to pick up some chocolate chips because craving #2 kicked in... not cookies, just the cookie dough! You can find the safe-to-eat recipe here.

Uneventful Week 15

This week has been pretty eventful, but I suppose that's a good thing. Work keeps me busy so I'm more focused on that rather than headaches and being hungry all the time. I have to eat about every 1.5 to 2 hours otherwise I'm so hungry I get nauseous. I have been getting a lot of headaches (behind my right ear) and am trying not to take Tylenol (or any unnecessary meds for that matter). Hot water with lemon helps, as does exercise, but that's always been my go-to cure-all (and it's not always feasable, like at work).

Running has always been my 'release', my time to myself, and my way to relieve stress (AKA 'running it out'). Keeping my HR at 130 or below has become increasingly frustrating - if I really, really stick to that it means no running at all anymore. The other day I alternated between 5 minutes of running with 2 minutes of walking for 3 miles... it was decent but I still didn't feel that relief after my workout. I need to find a new release or stress reliever ASAP.... suggestions welcome!

Michael is leaving next week for 3 weeks. I feel more dependent now than I ever have (and I despise feeling dependent)... with my emotions running high, he's been great at making me feel okay. I'm going to miss my hugs and my cry-out sessions. At least it's not a deployment... I'm grateful for that.

Only 15 days to go until we find out if we're having a BOY or GIRL! Whaddya think? My vote is for GIRL - I've said it from day one... I just feel it.. and I even had a dream about how beautiful she is. I'll eat my words if I'm wrong :) And ultimately, I don't care either way... I think a boy would be great, too (Hello, Darthvader commericial!)

Baby's the size of a navel orange!

The average fetus at 15 weeks weighs 2.5 ounces and measures 4 inches -- and his proportions are becoming even more normal, since his legs now outmeasure his arms.

 

Baby at 15 Weeks

• You probably can't feel it yet, but she's squirming a ton!
• She might even be hiccuping in there.
• She's making lots of progress: her joints and limbs can all move now.

 

Pregnancy Symptoms: What you might be feeling at 15 weeks

• Nosebleeds, thanks to increased blood volume and sensitive nasal passages.
• I don't think I've had a nosebleed in my entire life and I have one about every other day!
• Heartburn, gas and/or indigestion. More to blame on the hormones.
• We don't need to go there... let's just say Michael would agree..
• Frisky! Take advantage of the increased libido.
• See above. TMI?
• Swollen gums, another pitfall of those pregnancy hormones. Make sure you're taking care of your teeth, and see your dentist for your regular checkups.
• Nope! So far, so good..
• Shortness of breath. As baby grows, your lungs start to get crowded.
• YES! An odd, odd feeling... even just laying down for bed at night I'll get a sudden feeling like I can't catch my breath.

2nd Trimester

Today marks the beginning of my 2nd trimester - I am exactly 14 weeks. I had an appointment this morning, nothing new or crazy... listened to the heartbeat which in turn led to listening to a movin & groovin baby again. Yes, Dr. said she could hear baby moving, just through the heartbeat! We are going to have our hands full... Oh, and have I told you how much I love my OB? I LOVE HER!

Your baby's the size of a lemon!

At 3.4 inches and 1.5 ounces, he's almost doubled in weight since last week and keeps on growing.

 

 

 

 

Hungry much? Now that you’re not feeling so queasy, you’re probably enjoying eating. A lot. Plus, you’re fueling baby’s growth -- which is happening at super speed at 14 weeks. Be sure to keep plenty of healthy snacks by your side just in case you get the munchies. It’s important -- for you and for baby -- that you don’t indulge in too many greasy, fatty foods, so you’re both getting the right nutrients. (Of course, the occasional bowl of ice cream is totally okay.) And we just wanted to remind you: eating for two doesn’t mean doubling your calorie intake. Not only have you gotten your appetite back at week 14, but you’ve probably also gotten some of your energy back, too. If you found yourself shying away from exercise during trimester one, it’s time to get back on track. Go take a walk!

What's Baby up to?

• He's probably sucking his thumb and wiggling his toes in there!
• His kidneys are making urine, and his liver and spleen are doing their jobs, too.
• And he's growing lanugo, a thin, peach-fuzz-like hair, all over his body -- it will help him keep warm!

Week 14 Symptoms

• As you emerge from the nasties of the first trimester, you're probably getting your energy back. (YUP!)
• You're probably feeling some aches and pains, as your muscles and ligaments stretch to accomodate your growing baby. (YUP!)
• Hungry! Once the queasies of the first trimester subside, you might find your appetite on overdrive.
• You might notice your hair getting thicker and shinier, one of the (few) attractive side-effects of pregnancy.

 (courtesy of thebump.com)

What's Going on in Week 13??

Your Baby: Week 13

Your fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords... savor this, their non-functional phase. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with a head now only one third the size of the body. Intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy. (Much more convenient.)

13 wks, 5 days

We are expecting our first bundle of joy in March 2012!

It has been a very, very exciting month or so since we found out we are expecting...

Michael and I were enjoying a quiet weekend afternoon doing some reading... I had taken a pregnancy test (the one with either one or two lines) earlier in the day and forgot about it in the bathroom. I went back to check, not expecting much since we had many negative tests in the months prior... but to my surprise there were TWO lines! I had envisioned telling him in a fun, surprising way.. but I couldn't wait to plan something. I immediately went back to the bedroom and curled up next to him with the stick in my hand, he looked... squinted a few times.... and.... didn't believe me. UGH! Way to ruin the moment! He insisted we purchase a test that was a "little more black and white", meaning, the test that is idiot proof and says, "Pregnant" or "Not Pregnant". So, off to WalMart we went....

A little while later... "PREGNANT". We laughed, I cried, and he still wasn't convinced.... until my bloodwork the following Monday. Finally, it's really, really, really official :)

My first trimester has been full of ups and downs! Most food made me nauseous.... cooking dinner was a miserable experience and most nights I couldn't eat what I had made. Michael has been nothing but sweet in helping to cook dinner, do things around the house, and make sure I'm comfortable and have whatever I need. He's even had a crying, emotional wife (yup... crying for no reason!) on a few occasions to which he has responsed, "Want to just cry on me? That's what I'm here for!" And cue: Awwwwwwwwwww!

Maternity clothes: My wonderful mom sent me my first maternity shirt! It's super cute and I'm actually wearing it right now :) All of my pants still technically fit, whether or not they are comfortable is a different story. Things are definitely feeling tighter and I'm looking forward to making some maternity purchases.

Sleep: Getting up, on average, 4 times a night to pee... once every 2 hours is a little ridiculous! I'm looking forward to this getting better.

Total weight gain: 8lbs. Believe it! Hahaha...

Movement: None yet.... although in our first ultrasound, Baby was movin and groovin!

Food cravings: Macaroni & Cheese and Captain Crunch Berries (I have a bowl every night!) My first real craving was chocolate chip cookies... I absolutely HAD TO race to the grocery story to buy what I needed to make them. I also had a weird craving on Saturday.... refried beans.... sorry, Michael..

Symptoms: Exhaustion, Frequent trips to the potty, Nausea is mostly gone... except if I let myself get too hungry! Frequent (healthy) snacking is a MUST.

 Exercise: I've been keeping my workouts just as consistent as before baby... but one of our Dr.'s three rules is to keep my heart rate at a max of 130 when exercising. I normally wear a heart rate monitor when exercising anyway, so I know my heart rate during a workout/run is 165-180. Uh-oh. Keeping my HR at 130 has been challenging.... my 8:00/mile pace has turned into 12-12:30/miles... painstakingly slow! So I've been mixing it up on the elliptical and continuing my total body weights routine. Even lunges and squats can crank my HR up to 145 or so!

Gender: Uncertain.. Dr. says several signs point to boy. No way to be 100% sure yet!

New Recipe Ideas and a High 5 for Me!

So, if you've never heard of the 17 Day Diet, check it out here. I read the entire book back in April/May and decided to give it a shot. My faithful companion (my hubby) decided to give it a shot with me. It went well, we followed the diet, lost weight, went on a cruise..... and..... RIP diet. It was tough getting back on the horse entirely, but we're at it again.

The first 17 days is the toughest... no starchy carbs, period! A sample daily menu is as follows:
Breakfast: 1/2 Cup Eggbeaters with spinach, mushrooms, onions and 1 Tb. Frank's Red Hot (no cals, no sugar, no carbs)
Snack: Fruit (for example.. red grapes, small orange,  or mixed berries)
Lunch: Salad - LOTS of colorful greens and veggies (peppers, tomatoes, celery), a hardboiled egg or turkey/chicken breast strips or can of tuna, topped with 1 tsp. olive oil and 1 Tb. Balsamic Vinegar or Red Wine Vinegar
Snack:  1/2 Cup low-fat  cottage cheese mixed with 1/2 cup fat-free Greek yogurt
Dinner: Grilled or baked fish or chicken (salmon, tilapia, catfish) and veggies (steamed anything, mashed cauliflower) or a small salad

If I'm craving something sweet I'll have a 60 calorie, sugar-free pudding cup... sugar-free is the important thing (over fat-free).

Anyway! While I've discovered some creative, yummy ways to eat carb-free I still crave not only eating, but cooking other yummy things.

This is my list of things I want to make.... eventually....:

• Moroccan Chicken with Couscous
• Cilantro-Jalapeno Hummus
• Buttermilk and Blueberry Pancakes
• Chicken Cordon Bleu
• Cheddar Spirals
• Beer Margaritas

The Moroccan Chicken, Cilantro-Jalapeno Hummus, and Buttermilk & Blueberry Pancakes are not all that sinful, they just look delcious and I CRAVE pancakes. The Cordon Bleu and Cheddar Sprials, however, are just plain naughty...

In workout news.... I participated in an event on base this morning at 0645 called the Splash and Dash! It was a 400 yard swim followed by a 3 mile run. Most everyone else participating were doing it in pairs (1 person runs, the other swims), but oh no.... I decide to do it myself. I'm glad I did! When I came around the corner to cross the finish line of my run I couldn't believe the time - - 33:01. I started my personal watch when I started the run... when I finished it was at 23:58. 3 miles in 23:58??! New personal record... yippee!

Healthy Eggplant Parmesan

Serve with Tomato Lime Meatballs!

Ingredients
1 large eggplant, peeled (use a potato peeler)
4 egg whites
Fat-free Parmesan cheese
Garlic powder, to taste
1 cup of low-carb marinara sauce

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Cut eggplant into ¼ inch slices.

3. In a shallow dish, beat egg whites and 4 tablespoons of water until foamy. Dip eggplant slices into egg whites, then into fat-free Parmesan cheese, pressing cheese into eggplant.

4. Place eggplant on prepared baking sheet that has been sprayed with vegetable spray and sprinkle with garlic powder.

5. Spray vegetable cooking spray over eggplant slices.

6. Bake 30 minutes at 400 degrees, turning eggplant over after 20 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.

7. Cover with 1 cup of low-carb marinara sauce and bake for 20 minutes, or until eggplant is piping hot and sauce is bubbly.

Tomato Lime Meatballs

Easy... delicious... healthy...

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey breast

2 small onions, chopped

1/4 cup old fashioned oatmeal (as a healthy substitute for bread crumbs)

3 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

6 sprigs fresh cilantro, chopped

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. paprika

Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 olive oil
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 Tbsp. ginger
1 tsp. turmeric (can substitute ground mustard if you don't have turmeric)
3 Tbsp. lime juice
1 jar low carb/low sugar marinara or spaghetti sauce (I use Classico's Red Pepper sauce for a kick)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Combine ground beef, 1/2 of the onion, oatmeal, parsley, cilantro, egg, cumin, paprika, red pepper flakes and, if desired, salt and pepper. Shape into 1-inch balls or use an ice cream scoop for easier, more uniform meatballs.
3. Arrange meatballs on baking sheet and bake 15 minutes.
4. Meanwhile heat olive oil in 4-quart saucepot over medium heat and cook remaining onion, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir in garlic, ginger and turmeric and cook 1 minute. Stir in lime juice and sauce.
5. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes.
6. When meatballs are finished baking, stir them into the sauce and cook an additional 10 minutes or until meatballs are done.

I imagine this would be sinful served with pasta... but it's hearty enough to eat by itself or with a simple, healthy Eggplant Parmesan.

Stack the Deck

My husband and I have done this workout on a few different occasions.... once or twice when we've wanted to switch things up a bit, and several times when we've been traveling and unable (or unwilling) to pay $12/day to hit a gym. You'll be AMAZED at not only the intensity of the workout, but how quickly the time goes by.

STACK THE DECK
Use a deck of cards to determine not only the move, but also the number reps to do. Decide and write down on a sheet of paper what each suit will represent. Pull a card and do the number of reps indicated for the suit of the card. Face cards are worth 10 and aces are worth 11. Draw a new card for each move.
For example:

Hearts - Push Ups
Spades - Squat Jacks (jumping jacks but you're jumping into a squat when you're in the 'X' position)
Clubs - 8 Count Bodybuilders (Google it..)
Diamonds - Jump Lunges
Jokers - 1 Minute Planks

You can modify this workout depending on the amount of space you have. It can be done in a hotel room, living room, or if you're able to get outside you have even more options (i.e. park bench could do bench/tricep dips, sprint across the tennis court, etc.)

So NO EXCUSES! Get out there and get mooooooo-ving :) All you need is a deck of cards!

If you're following...

Good morning, friends! If you're following my blog, let me know... or don't, but leave some feedback at least! You can comment on posts without having a blog, blog account, or registering any information. If you see something you like, have a question, or just want to comment.. please do so.. I'd love to hear from you :)

TGiF, right?

Hubby and I had a cookfest last night to prep for some friends that are coming over for dinner tonight. We (yes, we... have I told you that I have an amazing husband?) made/prepped an Italian pasta salad, BBQ pulled pork, beer brats, caramel brownies, coconut cake, and homemade Spanish sangria... and then we cleaned the house :) Being the overplanner and OCD type person that I am, I'm nervous we don't have enough food and I will probably clean the house again when I get home from work... this trait may also have been inherited from my very organized, super planner mom!

I will post these recipes later... but here's the run-down on them:

The Italian pasta and caramel brownie recipes are my mom's and are both delicious! A friend in college renamed them 'orgasmic brownies'....

The beer brat recipe is my friend Sara's - she's from Wisconsin and a huge Packers fan and claims these to be the exact same beer brats they serve at Lambeau Field!

The coconut cake and Spanish sangria are new recipes I'm trying. If they are worthy, I will share them as well!

Wal-Mart at Its Finest!!

Either this is some fancy, Italian way to spell it... or.... ???

Spartacus Workout

This is a GREAT at-home workout. I've been doing it 3 times per week as my strength/resistance training... However, give it a shot and you'll notice it'll give you quite a dose of cardio as well!

You will need: Several sets of dumbbells of various weights (5, 9, 12, 15, 20, etc.) and a visible clock. I always wear my watch, but it's nice to have a BIG wall clock (with seconds) you can watch.

Perform the exercise as a circuit, that is, perform all 10 exercise one time through. Take a 2 minute break and then repeat. Do this twice for a total of 3 circuits. Perform each move for 60 seconds, completing as many reps as possible. Take a 15 second "break" between each exercise to change weights and transition into the next exercise.

1- Goblet Squats
2- Mountain Climbers (or hold a plank for 60 seconds)
3- Single Arm Dumbbell Swing
4-  T-Pushups
5- Split Jumps
6- Dumbbell Rows
7- Dumbbell Side Lunges
8- Pushup Position Row (if this is too difficult, omit the push-up portion of the move)
9- Dumbbell Lunge with Rotation
10- Dumbbell Push Press

Notes
This workout is from The Women's Health Big Book of Exercises, which I highly recommend! Ever head to the gym with a few moves in mind, but get bored of doing the same moves or working on the same machines? I always have it in my gym bag and have followed several of their suggested workouts - all of which are serious butt-kickers!

If you're unsure how to do any of the moves listed above, or to see pictures of how to do them, follow this link: Spartacus Workout

Crockpot Lasagna

Hello, comfort food! I would feel guilty if this wasn't such a healthy alternative to the traditional lasagna recipes. And an added bonus, after a long day at work dinner is already waiting for you!

Ingredients
1 lb. ground turkey breast
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove minced garlic
28 oz. crushed tomatoes
15 oz. tomato sauce
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese -OR- 2% cottage cheese (which is what I use because I always have it on hand)
1 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
6 pieces no-cook lasagna noodles
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Directions
Cook turkey, onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Simmer 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine ricotta/cottage cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese.

Spoon 1/3 of turkey mixture into bottom of a 5-qt. slow cooker. Break 3 lasagna sheets in half and arrange over mixture. Top with half of cheese mixture. Repeat with another layer and finish with 1/3 of turkey mixture.

Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Remove cover, turn off heat.

Combine remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over top of lasagna. Cover and set aside until cheese melts and lasagna firms up, about 10 minutes.

Notes
A fresh salad sounded great with my lasagna, but if you want to up your veggie intake without serving a side dish simply add diced zucchini, mushrooms, and/or spinach to the sauce/turkey mixture.

Turkey Burgers

Since hubby was flying late last night, I just threw some ingredients together for a quick dinner.. these lil guys were delicious! I honestly didn't measure any of this, except for the turkey, but these are my best guesses as to how much of each ingredient...

1 lb. ground turkey breast
1/4 to 1/2 C. old fashioned oats
1/2 C. chopped spinach
1/4 C. BBQ sauce (probably less... I used a few squirts)

Combine all ingredients and pat out into 4-5 patties.

Heat grill to medium-high. Spray a double-layer of tin foil with cooking spray and set on grill grate to heat. Place patties on heated tin foil. Flip burgers after 5 minutes. Cook another 5 minutes, or until cooked through. You could baste these with more BBQ sauce if desired, but this way provided just the right amount of BBQ flavor.

I had my turkey burger (no bun) with steamed spinach and steamed green beans. Grilled corn on the cob or grilled veggie packets would be delcious if you had a little more prep time!

Taco Seasoning

A much better alternative to buying the packets of seasoning at the store. My husband said this was better anyway :)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container.

After browning and draining your choice of ground beef/turkey/turkey breast, add 3/4 C. water and 2-3 T. of seasoning per pound of meat. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Serve with homemade whole wheat tortillas!

Homemade Whole Wheat Tortillas

Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour (I used Bob's Red Mill Stone Ground)
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1 teaspoon of salt
3 teaspoons of olive oil
3/4 cups of warm milk

Directions:
Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and oil.
Slowly add the warm milk.
Stir/Mix until a loose, sticky ball is formed. (I got in with my hands a little, too)

Knead for two minutes on a floured surface. Dough should be firm and soft.
Place dough in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap for 20 minutes.
After the dough has rested, break off eight sections, roll them into balls in your hands, place on a plate and then cover balls with plastic wrap for 10 minutes.

After dough has rested, one at a time place a dough ball on a floured surface, pat it out into a four-inch circle, and then roll with a rolling pin from the center until it’s thin and six to eight inches in diameter.  Keep rolled-out tortillas covered with plastic wrap until ready to cook.

In a dry iron skillet heated on high, cook the tortilla about thirty seconds on each side. It should start to puff a bit when it’s done.

Keep cooked tortillas covered wrapped in a napkin until ready to eat.
Makes eight tortillas.

I also made my own taco seasoning to put with ground turkey breast... and served with a side of 0% Greek Yogurt (a great substitue for sour cream) and Salsa!

Chocolate for Breakfast!

I usually have the same thing for breakfast every morning... 1/2 C. eggbeaters with any combination of spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, diced bell peppers, and/or onions. It's delicious and I enjoy it, but when this little recipe from SELF Magazine graced my inbox, I decided to switch it up. I'm glad I did... it was YUMMY and I wouldn't be opposed to having this for dessert on occasion :)


Directions:
Cook 1/4 cup old fashioned oats in 1/2 cup skim milk.
Mix oatmeal with 1/2 mashed banana (I used one -whole- of those cute little mini bananas), 2 tsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp cinnamon.
Top with 1/4 cup skim milk and 1 1/2 tbsp ground flaxseeds (optional).

Nutrition Content
344 calories, 8 g fat (1 g saturated), 57 g carbs, 10 g fiber, 16 g protein

A lot of carbs, which I've been doing without, but whole grains like oatmeal are A-Okay!!

HITS 1: High-Intensity Interval Training

I typically hit the gym 5 mornings a week and then head outside for a long run on Saturday or Sunday. Mondays and Wednesdays are spent at a Total-Body Bootcamp type class, so Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday it's up to me. I always try to switch it up to keep it interesting... but Fridays I try to pound out an especially hard, dripping-in-sweat workout to feel energized for the weekend. This has been my go-to:

It can be done on any cardio machine (treadmill, elliptical, bike, stairclimber, etc.) but I prefer the treadmill..

1. Warm up and get loose however you choose.. jumping jacks, leg swings, body huggers..
2. Walk on the treadmill for 5 minutes, starting at 3.5 mph and progressing faster until you reach a brisk walk.
3. Amp it up! Set your pace at speed that is uncomfortable, but doable. I set mine to 8 mph. Keep this speed for 45 seconds.
4. Bring it back down to a jog. Depending on how I feel this is anywhere from 5.5 mph to 6 mph. Keep this speed for 90 seconds.
5. Repeat this cycle 10-12 times (45 seconds hard followed by 90 seconds recovery)
6. Cool down for 5 minutes with a cominbation of slow jogging and walking.
7. Stretch! This is important... my husband skips stretching and it drives me crazy! It has been proven over and over that people who stretch post-workout have greater flexbility and more strength gains than those who don't.

I wear a heart-rate monitor when I workout and this typically burns 550-600 calories for me, all in about 35 minutes! What more can you ask for? No excuses.

Eggplant (No-Noodle) Lasagna

To me, a pasta-less diet is an absolutely absurd idea. But for the past... oh, 30 some days I've gone almost entirely starchy-carbohydrate-free. (And almost entriely alcohol free...) There were a few weak moments and other times when Michael and I just wanted to enjoy a nice dinner out that I caved to cheese-filled tortellini and a few pieces of warm, yummy bread and a glass of wine. But other than that, 30 some days of no pasta, no rice, and no bread! And no, I DO NOT plan to continue the trend for all of eternity..

I've made this once or twice before, but made it slightly differently last night and it turn out AMAZING! Since my hubby is on a cross-country trip this week I now have a whole pan sitting in the fridge... think it will freeze well?

Ingredients
2 or 3 medium size eggplants, peeled and cut lengthwise into strips
1 lb. turkey breast
1 T. olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
Handful of spinach, chopped or torn
2 C. 1% cottage cheese
1 egg yolk
1/4 C. fat-free parmesan cheese
1 T. each of dried basil and Italian seasoning
1 jar of spaghetti/marinara sauce of your choice (I found a low sugar/low carb roasted red pepper sauce)
Fat-free mozzarella cheese, if desired

Directions
Preheat oven to 375.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and chopped onion.
Add turkey breast and brown along with the garlic and chopped onion mixture.
Meanwhile, combine the cottage cheese, egg yolk, parmesan cheese, and seasonings in a bowl. Mix well.
Then spoon about 1cup of spaghetti sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Spread to cover.
When the meat and onion mixture is finished cooking, you will layer your lasagna like this:

1. Sauce on the bottom (I already said to do that)
2. Strips of eggplant (just like you would lasagna pieces)
3. Cottage cheese mixture
4. Chopped spinach (just sprinkle over)
5. Turkey mixture
6. Repeat, ending with enough sauce to cover and sprinkle with mozzarella, if desired.

Cover the lasagna with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes or until cheese is golden. Let sit 5-10 minutes before serving.

Doggie Destruction

This is from a few months ago... but still makes me laugh..

I came home to find that Callie (West Highland White Terrier) had ripped the stuffing out of her 'squirrel' and Cheese (Chihuahua Mix) was standing by to watch.

I can only imagine what was going through her little head as she was tossing stuffing all around the room!

Oatmeal, Cherry, & Almond Cookies

Also known as 'Power Cookies' because they pack just the right amount of protein. If you're like me, you like to know what's actually in your food. So instead of grabbing a box of processed, prepackaged protein or granola bars... take a few minutes to whip these up instead. They can be frozen and popped in the microwave for 30 seconds to be enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack throughout the day. Take some with you when you travel for an alternative to gas station or airport garbage...

1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
2 tablespoons almond paste
1 tablespoon flaxseed oil
10 packets of Truvia
1/4 cup agave nectar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup vanilla whey powder
2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat together applesauce, almond paste, flaxseed oil, Truvia, and agave nectar.
Beat in egg and vanilla.
Mix well.
Add flour, baking soda, salt, pepper, and whey powder. Beat thoroughly.
With a wooden spoon, stir in oats, cherries, and almonds.
Mix well.
Spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
Drop batter by the spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Flatten each cookie with the back of the spoon.
Bake 12 minutes or until slightly brown.
Remove from oven, let cool, and store in airtight container.

I can get 36 cookies out of one batch, but the recipe says 18. I would personally rather eat 2 smaller cookies than 1 big one - but it's your call! :)

Enjoy!

Spinach & Feta Stuffed Chicken

I created this recipe to fit in with our healthy living plan (aka..eeks.. diet) of minimizing processed foods and eating 'cleaner'. Michael LOVED this recipe and requests it often...

Ingredients: 
4 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Garlic/Onion Powder
Bag of Spinach
1/2 Onion, Chopped
Feta/Bleu/Gorgonzola Fat Free Cheese Crumbles (your preference)
1 C. Low-Fat Cottage Cheese OR O% Fat Greek Yogurt (your preference)

Additional:
Balsamic Vinegar (For Reduction Sauce)
OR
Frank's Hot Sauce (No carbs, No Sugar)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
In between 2 sheets of plastic wrap, pound out chicken breasts with mallet or heavy glass until fairly thin.(Or butterfly your chicken breasts). Season with garlic or onion powder if desired.
Sautee spinach and onion in 1 Tb. Olive oil just until spinach is wilted. Drain, if needed, and let cool slightly.
Combine spinach, onion, and cottage cheese/greek yogurt.
Spread mixture over the top of thinned chicken breasts.
Top with 1 T. of crumbled cheese for each chicken breast.
Roll up chicken and close with toothpicks.
Place in baking dish or on baking sheet and cover with foil.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

While the chicken is baking.. make the Balsamic Reduction: Pour desired amount of balsamic vinegar in a pan (keep in mind, “reduction” means “reduce” so the amount you pour in needs to be MORE than what you want to end up with). Heat pan to high and stir briskly, especially once boiling to prevent burning. Continue stirring until vinegar turns thickens/turns syrupy.
After chicken is finished, pour balsamic reduction over the top OR heat up some hot wing sauce for this step instead.

Serve with baked/grilled asparagus (425 degrees for 5-10 min) YUM!