chicken and asparagus stir fry

Posted on 3.06.2014 by sarah

This delicious dish came from Living Lean by Mike Dolce, the hubs got a while back. We were paging through it, trying to find new meal options to make a monotonous week feel more alive in the meal department. Luck would have it that the hubs stumbled across this one, and we fell in love with this delicious dish. It’s pretty simple, easy to make after work, and I think if Jack was older, he would like it, too. We’ve paired it with quinoa here, but we’ve also made it with rice and potatoes, too. All great pairings for this delicious dish or simply on it’s own if you’re carb leery. As always, enjoy!

Recipe

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces (I just use my kitchen shears)
1 bunch thin asparagus (about 20 stalks)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 medium shallot, minced
2 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce or teriyaki

Start by breaking off the thick ends of the asparagus; wash what remains and cut into bite-sized pieces. Steam asparagus for 7-10 minutes, or until bright green, and then set aside.

In a large pan, sauté shallot and garlic in peanut oil for about 2 minutes.

Add chicken and continue to sauté about 6 minutes or until pink disappears.

Pour into heat-safe serving bowl and mix in asparagus.

Add 2 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce or teriyaki sauce and serve!

7 months

Posted on 3.03.2014 by sarah

Jack turned 7 months over the weekend. The time between month six and seven went really s l o w. I found myself asking if I had forgotten a month of pictures… and that was awesome. With Jack growing so quickly and changing almost daily, it was wonderful thinking time slowed, if only for a month.

The time with Jack continues to amaze us both. Jack communicates daily with voice and actions, and he’s starting the motions of crawling, more like rolling and shifting with his arms. He looks much like a mermaid out of water. Sorry, merman! Because of his movements, he’s becoming more exploratory and independent. He can play on his mat or in his bouncer for 10 – 20 minutes, which allows us to make dinner or just zone out a bit. But, Jack does take the occasional nose dive which keeps us on our toes. He’ll put anything in his mouth from Otis’s tennis balls (our pug), to pieces of mail, to licking the fireplace. I think he’s just marking his territory in a completely different way. Or he might be watching the dogs too much!?! Food he’s liking lately: carrots, sweet potatoes with cinnamon, oatmeal and rice cereal. He isn’t a fan of zucchini or bananas, thus far. I think the bananas were a fluke because who doesn’t like bananas! Come on, Jack! Next up this week, avocado and pears! Jack’s also holding his own bottle but only when he feels like it.

Here’s our big boy. 7 months, buddy. We love you.

Below, I snapped this picture during Jack’s photo shoot. I had left the room to get something and realized this was a great “behinds the scenes” photo. It definitely takes a village (K9’s and humans, alike) to raise a baby and take monthly photos. What a simply beautiful picture of all my boys, beautiful 70 degree weather with the windows fully open in the background! Sometimes the simplest snapshots convey so much. I’m so blessed.

Happy Day, Friends!

MIT part 2

Posted on 3.02.2014 by sarah

There is exactly 3 weeks left for our moms in training before the big run! Our marathon is March 23rd, and I cannot be more thrilled I’ve started this journey. I have felt a broadened sense of emotions while doing this mission. At first, it was just the hub’s coworker’s suggestion. She beat leukemia, she was going to do it, so I said I would, too. I wanted to support her cause, but maybe more so, I wanted to get back into running. It was simple.

Then, that first Saturday meet-up happened. We were introduced to a real mom engulfed in a new world of chemotherapy treatments, transfusions, and statistics of cure. She told her story of her 3-year-old son’s journey and the support team she had through moms in training and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society throughout the process. I was in tears.

This changed things. This was bigger than getting in shape. Bigger than just running. These were lives we were supporting, lives we were helping. This changed my motivation. Changed what I told myself when I laced up my shoes each run.

There are a lot of people affected by cancer daily. I see it a lot in my clinic, too. I tend not talk about my “real job” on this blog, as I consider my blogging world and work world completely different. But my two worlds combine on this mission. I help in the treatment of skin cancer. Yes, a lot of cancers are sun related, but there are many more ways a person can get these tumors. One of the frequent visitors to our clinic are people with blood disorders. We frequently see Non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Hodgkins lymphoma, and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), just to name a few. I talk to these patients now in a different way and think about the underlying fight they have with these diseases.

What an impact this whole process has made. I have been moved by the individuals in my group, the patients I work with on a daily basis, and the amazing support of family and friends who took the time to donate. I thank you, all of you, for your gifts to this wonderful society and am so excited for race day.

If you haven’t donated and would like to, click here, every little bit helps!! Thank you!

headboard

Posted on 2.24.2014 by sarah

source

I don’t really like sitting down and watching movies. Quite frankly, I don’t like sitting. So, when the hubs wants to watch a movie, I get everything ready with as much stuff as I can get in my arms, so I don’t disturb the man watching the movie. I tune in more to the fashion and interior spaces than the actual plot lines. If there is a show I’m actually into, I’ll find myself rewinding to listen because the first time I was engulfed in the buffet table with amazing display pieces in the back ground. Trust me, I’m getting to my point. The movie The Break Up is a wonderful chick flick movie, but what I like most about this movie is the decor! Everything from the art board, kitchen, and master bedroom is awesome. Plus, being set in Chicago, it’s all around awesome.

I was searching the internet for a headboard one night for our master bedroom and came across this craigslist find! After I searched all my favorite sites, I always end up on an estate sale site or craigslist! I highly recommend them both for bargain hunting and unique finds. This was the headboard from The Break Up which retails for around $600, and they were selling it for $150! What!?! How exciting!

I was super pumped and e-mailed the listing right away! Luckily, it was still available, I think only because he spelled headboard as two words instead of one (advantage: me)! We got it the next weekend and set it up!

Our master bedroom went from this:

To this: Sorry, I should have put down the pillows a little more so you could see more of the headboard, but the duvet and pillows were so perfect, I couldn’t move them!

Now, I have a little piece of The Break Up in my Dallas home! Ha. Happy finding inspiration for your furniture, friends!

6 month photo shoot

Posted on 2.23.2014 by sarah

I love taking pictures, and at times I think I can pull off a professional looking photo. But, it is still nice to step down from the role of photographer/mom and hand over the reins to the real professionals. Jill Thompson of Jilly Bean Photography was up for the challenge. She did a wonderful job capturing Jack’s personality, had a super flexible schedule for two working parents, and was all around wonderful in both consultation, photo session, and photo presentation. She gave us this little photo shoot slideshow to share with our friends and family. I hope you all enjoy!

http://video214.com/play/uxiqVexEiwz98w1KizNtTA/s/dark

comparing

Posted on 2.15.2014 by sarah

We were searching for old photos to see just who Jack looks like…. There are a lot of people saying Jack looks like my husband; then there are people that say he looks like me?

I honestly thought he looked like Paul with my “smiling eyes” – when we smile, we lose our eyes – until I got out these pictures. I think Jack got a mighty mix of us both, and I could not be more pleased!

You can be the judge, but we think he’s pretty cute either way! He’s definitely our Jack!

peanut butter baked oatmeal

Posted on 2.07.2014 by sarah

I’ve been on an oat kick lately. Every time I see a recipe with oats, I have to investigate! This is no exception. Actually, this recipe came from a good friend via my inbox. She told me to try it months ago, more like a year ago, and it’s been sitting in my inbox ever since. Luckily, with my renewed love of oats combined with cleaning out my inbox, I was able to find this little gem. It’s wonderful! Even the hubs likes it!

Recipe

Ingredients

3 cups quick cooking oats (I used old-fashioned oats)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup of milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter

I mixed all the wet ingredients first; brown sugar, milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Then added the dry ingredients. After everything was mixed, I added in the peanut butter. Stir well.

Spread mixture into a greased 9×13 pan and bake at 350º for 20-25 minutes.

If you like it a little crunchy on top, cook for a few minutes longer. Serve with milk poured over top; dairy, soy or almond tastes great, or alone! I think this would be great with some dried fruit too. Yum. Enjoy!!

6 months

Posted on 2.02.2014 by sarah

I could never have imagined what type of demanding schedule one little human could have. This motherhood gig is no joke. Between nursing, bathing, reading, talking, it can be a lot. BUT he’s been a pretty amazing addition to our lives, and I thank my lucky stars he has picked me to be his mama. I cannot quite believe it’s already been six whole months with this guy; it’s been wonderful.

Month six has been filled with fun new milestones. Jack’s able to sit up, he’s getting his first two teeth, he’s loving those toes, and we fed him his first taste of food on his birthday weekend (rice cereal and sweet potatoes!). He tolerated it well. Wasn’t loving it, wasn’t hating it… Jack’s a pretty easy going baby.

He’s talking and smiling so much; we’re loving watching him discover the world around him… and for the ever famous collage of Mr. Jack growing! Happy half birthday, buddy!

moms in training

Posted on 1.27.2014 by sarah

Oh running. We have this love/hate relationship. I hate lacing up my shoes or scheduling in the time to run but absolutely love when I finally get myself out the door… and the after effects have me lifted for hours. My friend and I call it running out the crazy. That being said, I was presented with an opportunity to run with other moms. I usually run by myself and listen to a book (try it. you’ll love it.) but this is a new year! I’m a mom. Why not?

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society hosts a moms in training program which is an awesome trifecta; meet moms, raise money for a great cause, and get into shape/back into a running routine after a baby. Plus, I’ll be scratching another item off my 33 before 33 list! Awesome.

Here’s an informational video that brought me to tears thinking of my own baby, Jack, and the many people diagnosed with cancer each day.

We’re the very first chapter in North Dallas and our team is pretty small, but I’m overjoyed to be part of this amazing team of ladies, moms, powerful women, and worthwhile organization. My goal is to raise $750 – $1000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, all while challenging myself physically. I’ll be thinking of those moms and babies fighting hard and hoping there will be a cure in the near future for these cancers. If you would like to donate, I would absolutely love your support!! Just click – I’m a Running Mama – to help me reach my goal. I’ll be updating you with my training along the way and then after/on race day. We collectively will be running a marathon on March 23rd (as a relay – 6 miles each) and I can’t wait!

Hug your babies a little tighter tonight and pray for all those people waiting for a cure!

granola cookies

Posted on 1.20.2014 by sarah

I’ve been on a health kick lately. You know, new year, new food, newfound health. You get the idea. Plus, I have a growing wee-one relying on me for nutrition. It’s only fair to try to make good, healthy food for myself and my body. This is my mindset today… being a new year and all. Tomorrow, I may convince myself Jack needs to taste a little pizza. I’ll take the health kicks when they come.

I found this recipe on Facebook or Pinterest? I’m sorry, I forgot where. But it seemed easy, and I had the ingredients, so I had to try it! It’s a great morning go-to or a guilt-free sweet snack anytime of day. I hope you’re a fan, too.

Recipe

3 mashed ripe bananas
2 cups oats
1/4 soy milk – the recipe called for almond milk, but we had soy milk the day I was making them! Use what ya got!
1/2 cup raisins – I used 1/4 cup because the hubs doesn’t like raisins.
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon

Ingredients

Preheat oven to 350º. I then combined bananas, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Then added the oats. Super simple.

At this time, I halved the oat mixture and added the 1/4 cup of raisins to half. Spoon mixture onto a greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 – 20 minutes!!

Enjoy! They are pretty tasty for what they are. I might switch out the raisins for mini chocolate chips next time for a true sweet treat!