long time no see.....

sorry blogging buddies, so we have discovered a little known fact - if you pee on a laptop, it won't work anymore...lol, yeah I said pee :0|

so about a week ago my sweet little guy awoke a bit early and stumbled into the living room to sleep on our couch. Well he had a little accident... which dripped down onto the laptop tucked in under the couch. Yuck - yeah you could say that again, way gross. Well it took us a week to dry, and try to fix the computer - no avail. So I come to you from the keyboard of a fancy shmancy new laptop...

and as if that was not enough - our fridge just broke down (another big purchase) but I will smile anyway and just move on... that's what savings are for - I suppose ;)

ok a quick recipe and off to bed - but tomorrow I will do a better post - promise :)

easy, yummy tomato soup and garlic grilled cheese

marinara sauce (bottled or homemade whatever you like)
evaporated milk in a can (way less fat than cream but still creamy)
fresh basil

In a sauce pan combine the sauce and the milk, then add a little fresh basil (and gnocchi if you have it)

sooo good!!! the perfect partner, grilled cheese of course.
1. Take some great wheat bread, or foccacia if you've got it.
2. Spread a little butter (or olive oil for less fat) sprinkle some garlic powder and dried basil. Place on your frying pan oiled side down.
3. Add your cheese - I like fresh mozzarella, asiago or an Italian blend all grated
4. add your top piece of bread.... or for less carbs stick the (oven safe) pan under the broiler to melt cheese and just eat open faced.

Trust me - you'll never have plain grilled cheese again :)

Jack in the Pumpkin

I am a huge fan of meat, in fact there is not much I like better than a med-rare steak with all the trimmings ( I love horse radish and sour cream - healthy maybe not so much) but I DO try to find yummy vegetarian meals to incorporate into my family's diet so here's a yummy recipe perfect for the 'harvest season'

http://www.zonya.com/pdf/recipes/jack_in_the_pumpkin.pdf

It's called jack in the pumpkin, because you can actually cook this yummy black bean and BROWN rice dish inside a pumpkin!!! yuM!!

another recipe.... not necessarily low in fat

So in an effort to be nice to my sweet hubby I made him a classic favorite today... but wished I knew how to make it lighter...any thoughts?

Brown Butter Pesto Ravioli's with marinara sauce

3-4 tbs of butter

3-4 tbs of pesto (fresh or store bought is fine)

1 lb bag of frozen ravioli's (I like the cheese filled)-anyone know of a good whole wheat one?

2 cups (or so) marinara sauce (fresh or store bought)

First Boil your water - in the meantime start browning your butter in a saute` pan

Put your marinara in a sauce pan on med heat to heat thoroughly

When your butter begins to get brown (a stainless steel is best for this) add in your pesto, salt, and finely ground pepper.
In the meantime your water should be ready for your raviolis - boil about 3 minutes

Remove the cooked pasta and drain. Add drained pasta directly to brown butter sauce cook on both sides for a minute, coating completely with brown butter sauce. pasta will brown slightly.

note - you will not fit them all at once, this has to be done a little at a time.

Plate your pasta as it is finished and top off with a little marinara sauce and some freshly grated Parmesan....yummy, not necessarily low in fat

this makes about 4 servings

my sweety loved it and so did my kids - and I have to admit, I had a tasting as well (only about 5 ravioli's so not too bad.) I really love that my whole family is healthy and fit and they don't have to worry about their food, but it does make it harder for me, I wish I could take the dishes I know they love and 'health 'em up' to make them suitable for all of us to eat together. I hate having a separate meal...

today update:

sleep: in by 11:30 about 6 hours - not too bad

exercise: not much just a walk , about a mile

water: at least 50 oz and still drinking :)

food: well today was a bad one for me in this area - but what I really wanted was a hot fudge sundae so I did ok... I guess

9am Kashi Go Lean crunch with Almonds

12pm 5 brown butter raviolis

3pm an apple (this is when the sweet tooth started)

6pm Taco soup and half a turkey sandwich on wheat

8pm 4 squares of dove dark chocolate (trying to curb the sweet tooth- didn't work)

8:30 baby sized frozen vanilla yogurt

9:30 pumpkin bars (3) with cream cheese frosting

yeah, needless to say my attempt to avoid a rich dessert just made me eat more I think, because the substitute wasn't 'enough'....hmmm, gonna have to watch that

mmmmm taco soup

Alright - how about a simple, fast healthy soup to warm up these chilly autumn days - I've got the perfect thing, it's simple, hearty and uses up those pantry items...

3 alarm Taco Soup

1 vidalia onion diced
2 cans corn (un-drained) or green beans, whatever you've got
2 cans black beans (drained) or whatever beans you like
2 can chili - you favorite kind
1 large can of crushed tomato's (I like organic)
1 cup of your favorite salsa
handful of taco seasoning (or 1 packet)

I usually saute the onions a bit with some olive oil and salt/pepper then when they're getting nicely browned add all the other ingredients.

optional add-ons:
a squeeze of honey (to cut the acid)
mole (careful it's hot)
green chili's
jalapenos
shredded chicken
spinach (don't laugh it's good)

then top it with sour cream, tortilla strips, cheese, cilantro, green onions .... and the kitchen sink :)

todays update:

sleep: almost 7 hours!!!

exercise: rest day

water: 50 oz

food:

8:30 peanut butter and honey sandwich
1:30 southwest chicken salad with jalapeno ranch

5:00 taco soup 2 bowls

8:00 1 more bowl of taco soup with a dollop of sour cream

I LOVE this on a night where we're thinking of ordering out - it's so easy and just tastes amazing no matter what we have to toss into it! Try it, you won't be disappointed!!!

mmmm roasted chicken

mmmmm yummy. one of my favorite blogs is GOOP by Gweneth Paltrow. Not usually into celebrity type stuff, but she has some intersting ideas on health. I really love the recipes I have tried, and thought you guys would enjoy checking her out.

for the complete recipe:
http://goop.com/newsletter/44/

working out is actually kinda nice

walked last night and I'm much looser today, I'm feeling pretty good about this workout stuff, I am changing the goal a bit though... instead of 15 minutes everyday...I'm going for 30minutes+ 3x a week...so far so good!

My friend swung by yesterday (she does marathons AND triathalons)we were chatting, I can't wait till I'm good enough to run with her! But for now I'm working on consistency and comfort level with distance. Wogging will have to do for now :)

a yummy snack using yogurt, cottage cheese , fruit and cereal

day 6 - Baked Potato Fries

yesterday was so busy...a dr.appointment first thing in the morning started things out and I finished the day with a belated baby shower and talking till late at night... My diet kinda stunk though...I DID get in breakfast though so I'll give myself a break I guess..:)

high - hanging out with friends
low - no low...just a good day

todays food for thought: if stress makes you gain weight and ruins your health...is it better to eat whatever and relax about it, or eat just healthy food but stress about it?

Yummy salty fries without all the fat...

Baked Potato Fries

How: Spray calorie-free nonstick cooking spray in a roasting pan. Slice the potatoes and add salt and pepper and any seasonings you like.

Why: French fries are one of the most beloved foods in America, but a typical serving of French fries can contain about 600 calories. Leave the skins on because they provide all the essential nutrients, like potassium, vitamin C, fiber, and even protein. For a metabolism kick (spicy foods have been shown to temporarily increase metabolism) and a taste kids will love, try making spicy fries with a dash of cayenne pepper, garlic, and onion powder.

recipe found: http://www.cookiemag.com/food/2009/05/mom-kid-snacks