No Carb Pasta!!!

Zucchini Noodles are my BEST Friends lately - sorry girls.

YES! When you want pasta and you KNOW you better not have any - better grab that vegetable peeler and a raw zucchini and GET TA PEELIN!

You will need:
One vegetable peeler
Two Zucchini's - raw
A hot skillet
Two tablespoons EVOO
Kosher Salt and Pepper
Any Marina/Red Sauce

Instructions:
After you have washed the zucchini's, cut off both ends.
Then with zucchini in one hand, use the vegetable peeler and peel starting from the end closest to your palm to away from your body.
I usually do not use the first few because they are too skinny.
Voila - you should get thin, flat, 'noodles' like above

Then add the EVOO in the skillet till hot and throw your noodles to sauté until they are cooked. I like mine a little more crisp so I barely throw them in there, enough to get coated with EVOO and some red sauce :) around 5-6 mins.

Eat Your Heart Out Betty White. You have officially Cheated the System.

Sometimes I make a little Italian Chicken to throw on top of the 'noodles'. Oh So Good.

My Fitness Pal App!

Omg I am so behind the times lately! So in the journey to lose weight my girlfriend, Jenna told me about My Fitness Pal App?? You can find it here or you can search for it on your IPHONE.

Have you guys heard about it? Holy Canoodles! Ditch that journal, pen, paper, receipt, parking ticket, WHATEEEVVERRR you Were Using to track your sweat, tears, and munchies with!

Holy Grail of all Apps. It's so easy a cave man can do it!

And best of all it's FREEEEEEEEEEE!!!

I downloaded the app and and you just enter the normal crap you don't want anyone else to know, like height & weight (be truthful!)

It has entries for each day for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, cardio, weights, etc and the best thing is that almost all of my foods ( I used to eat - THANKS my fitness pal App for ruining my food obsession) are already in the app, with all the nutrition information.

So the best thing it did for me was Slap me Back into Reality - like Yeah you Really HAVE to go to the GYM today and NO you Really can't eat that brownie with your daughter...$%$!

The journey continues...one day - I will be able to wear all those clothes I space vac'd, lol.

Happy Monday!

Groundhog's Day Ends!

Ok I'm really referring to Crib Training my Sweet pea!

All I can say is Praise....Jesus!!!!

The first 4 days were the worst! Then it gradually tapers and by day 7 - done and DONE.

I feel like a new woman - so new that I attempted to go buy some new clothes...

Then I remembered - oh wait - I haven't lost the baby weight so yeah Holly ended up getting a whole new wardrobe that day. She is going to look Hella Cute!!!

Before this, I researched all over the Internet Highway on how to best approach this...when you are a first time new mom, you just don't really know what to do. You just have a lot of trial and error and more Errors it seemed. Sometimes you just feel lost.

So now that I have the time and GUTS to attempt this crazy feat, I leaned more towards CIO than the other. Every time she cried I would just go back in her room, pat her down, tell her I love her, 'night night' and leave the room.

In the beginning the crying (ok Shrieking, screaming..MOMMY!!!!) lasted around 30-40 mins (rip my freaking heart out). Then she would wake up Several Times/night and I would repeat it...then with each passing day the crying and waking  finally subsided!!!

I can still hear her wake herself up and cry but she can now put herself back to sleep within 5-10 minutes!

No one tells you these things. There was no way I could have Ever done this while working a full time job and handling house work pretty much full time by my self.  But I know there are plenty of single parents that do this Every. Day.

So I want to commend and honor all those Tireless, Strong, Single Parents that do this all while juggling a full time career, house, pet, family and maybe perhaps themselves.

That's all for now - time to think about that workout...Step 7 right?

Success......

Yearly Ski Trip!

We are OFFICIALLY one week away from our yearly Ski Trip!!! I am so pumped! Except this year, it will be even better because - it is our dearest friend - Josh Looney's a.k.a The Godfather's 30th Birthday! And trust me there will be plenty-a-celebratin!!!

This has been a standing tradition that started in 2008 and we have loved every year.
It is always full of skiing, drinking, sometimes dancing, maybe some craps and a slot machine (ok maybe a lot of craps and slot machines), some NBA games, attempts to hot tub, too much food, too much wine, a Tambourine Man, and of course the Super Bowl.

Some years we win against the mountain....some years our friends attempt to defeat the mountain...and LOSE, lol.

It's different every year but one thing is for sure - we always have a blast! I cannot wait to see what this year brings.

2008 - Colorado: Wolf Creek
2009 - Colorado: Wolf Creek
2010 - Utah: Park City, Alta
2011- Utah:Park City, Deer Valley
2012 - Tahoe: Heavenly, Squaw, Northstar
2013.....Winter Park!!!!

I cannot wait until Ski 2013!!!

Feeding a Village

Ok not really but it totally felt like it!

So while our house is currently on the market, we try to NOT use our house as much as possible just in case there are showings. And it is almost Impossible with a Toddler in the house. But we give it our best shot.

Fact: You really don't cook until you enter the Chaotic Toddler Era, like I have mentioned before - it is just too exhausting for Everyone (parents, kids, the waiter, the surrounding guests)

When you Do venture out and try to be a normal person/family in society.....what you end up really doing is eating your food really fast OR take Turns eating your food really fast so at least one parent is available to entertain your kid (you know before she takes the forks and knives and throw them on the floor b/c she thinks the 'clunking' sound is OH SO COOL)

And who Really wants to do the above? Especially since my husband and I are both foodies.

This actually reminds me of a time wherein my husband's kidless best friend asked us to brunch one Sunday. Oh Sweet Boy.  So we went. And we did the above. He said he's never seen us both eat so fast. I secretly (well not so secretly anymore) CANNOT wait until his turn, lol. Yes, I said it. 

I'm telling you there are things you cannot write about in books when you have a kid, ha. ***Please note - I absolutely ADORE my child. My heart is in her hand. 

So really, until then you don't need to really cook at home - unless it is your passion and you love it.

Now out of necessity, I have become quite the Chef in the Kitchen - the Kitchen that I can't use that is,  that must always remain SPARKLING CLEAN like no one uses it (insert GAG here)

I decided then to jump on the 'Cook Once a Week Bandwagon' - ok the real bandwagon is what? Cook once a month or something like that? Ok I can't. Plus who knows if we will be here by then?

I'm thinking this will solve all our issues!

Benefits:
One Grocery Trip
One Cooking Session (ok multiple, but you know what I'm saying)
One Big Clean Up!
Healthy Readily available meals in the fridge - just reheat and Bon Appetite!
More time for you know....concentrating on that workout plan - remember  Step 5??? Well my jeans sure do, lol.

So I began my Culinary Journey ( or lack there of) and below is a list of the meals I have made for this week.
Recipes (and they are super easy trust me) will be posted at a later time with pictures (my bad, but a true testament that you really do save a lot of downstream time - so much time I am writing a BLOOOOGGGG!)

Entrees:
Baked Balsamic Glazed Italian Chicken Thighs
Baked Lemon Pepper Panko Catfish fillets
Turkey Meatloaf
Giada's Easy Breezy Skillet Pork Chops (5 ingredients - you will love this one!)
Lemon Chicken Panini's
Turkey Sausage Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Red Chile Cumin Tacos

Sides:
Sauteed Fresh green beans
Oven Roasted Potatoes
Mac and Cheese ( I cheated on this and used a box)
Fresh Salads

This took me around 4-5 hours and well worth it! Most of the entrees were cooked in the oven, aside from the pork chops, so that left the range free to skillet cook my sides at the same time :)

What about breakfast you say? We try to eat cereal, yogurt, fruit, Naked Juices. I try to do a fun Brunch on the weekends - oh you know I'll post about that later!

Did I tell you that I packed our crock pot by accident? *sigh. Will never do that again. lol

After 4 days...
Verdict:
Happy Giddy Hubby? Check! I told you we are Foodies
Happy Giddy Teething Child? Half Check!
Happy Mama???? Endless Checking!
I think this habit will likely stay even after the Big Move East!

Bring on the Home Buyers!!!

Cookies for Breakfast Recipe!

So Step 5 - Finally Lose that Baby Weight.

I had come to the realization that it was almost impossible to stay Sane and Diet while juggling work, home, and family. So now that the moment has FINALLY arrived - here we go.

I have a giant sweet tooth. I would rather eat a carrot for dinner if that meant I could have dessert too. I know, I know - empty calories but just trying to let you know my mindset.

The Quest begins to find that perfect lower cal/fat cookie recipe that won't have me chained to the treadmill the next day in Spanx, cursing at myself as to WHY DID I DO THAT????

After 'Pinteresting' I came across this website: http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/1543

She lists TONS of ideas along with the calorie/fat information.....but I adapted her cake/pumpkin puree recipe...

Ingredients:
One Betty Crocker Double Chocolate Chip Dry Cookie mix
OR
Betty Crocker Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix (any brand will do)
One can Pumpkin Puree

Directions:
Mix
Use the whole can of pumpkin puree if you like really Moist Cookies
Use 75-80% of the can for less moist

Bake at 350 degrees until toothpick insert comes out clean (around 30-40 mins depending on the size of your cookie  *** I made mine really large (so it look around 35-45 mins)

The consistency is more like a moist muffin rather than a hard/soft cookie -which makes it PERFECT for Breakfast. I have also found that the pumpkin puree that can really Empower a flavor, so try to use it with other cookie mixes that can complement like dark chocolate, chocolate, or pumpkin (maybe Spice!)

Verdict....That $%$% is GOOD! lol.

Cookies for Breakfast!

What??? Cookies for Breakfast you say? YES!

This morning we Celebrated my 16 month old sleeping in her crib the ENTIRE night for the very FIRST TIME. I know, I know ( I can feel the 'are you kidding me?' 'she's what 16 months?' 'you are doing this now?')

A little bit of background - before this SAHM Bliss...ha. I was a girl in the world that had planned to take over the World. Daughter of immigrant parents and humble beginnings - I had my goals already set for me of course (if you have asian parents - you know the drill) - very high.

So let's fast forward - I worked as hard as I could in school, and with the onset of my father's passing at 14 due to colon cancer - I tried THAT much more. I knew there was More to This life - and I was going to LIVE IT.  I received a full academic scholarship to college, studied way more than partied and 4 short years later joined the rat race in corporate america; where I was to meet my unbeknownst to me - future Wonderful, Amazing Husband.

Then, a happy hour lead to a few more dates, lead to a move, then a marriage (yes still working!), then a house, a puppy, then another puppy ( bad idea BTW), to the apple of both our eyes - our gorgeous baby girl.

You know as much as I've studied in school, and worked hard to secure a place for myself in the working world - there are no books on this Earth that will tell you how much Life Changes after you have a baby. So after playing the Giant Juggling act like ALOT of parents do - I (actually my wonderful hubby) have decided that rather than giving everything a little bit of effort - it's best to give the most important people in your life - your BEST EFFORT. So with that said, my dreams of conquering that cube will just have to wait.

Live.Your.Bliss.

So Ok, Ok, Cookies for Breakfast!?!?!?

Finally after leaving the working world - I told you it is time to give it my Best Effort.

Step One - Clean and Keep a Tidy House like Company is coming Every Day
Step Two - Become a better Cook (BTW the books also don't tell you that you really can't go out to dinner when your kids starting walking, ours started at 9 months - joy)
Step Three - Crib Train Baby Girl (and thus get more sleep b/c she has decided the best place to sleep every night until then has been my head!)
Step Four- Become a Better Wife, Mom, Sister, Daughter, Friend (This one may be a Life Long Goal, lol)
Step Five - Lose that Baby Weight Once and For All!

Oh and in the meantime - my husband received a promotion which requires us to move ASAP to another part of the country (more on that later but adds to the timeline of why the Crib Training has taken THIS long)

So really....
Step 1.1 - Pack and get house ready for Market in DEAD of Winter
Step 1.2 - Travel to East Coast between PA to MA with Toddler in Tote to find a new home
Step 1.3 - #%$%!!! The HOUSE IS ON THE MARKET  in the dead of WINTER? $#$!!

Ok so Step 1-1.3 - CHECK; Step Two - CHECK (more on that later), and now oh Crude, on to Step 3...

After hours of reading online, asking mamma friends, trial and error (more error than trial) and what seems to be Endless Hours of Screaming, Crying, 'Mooommmmiiiieeeee!!!!' I decided on a plan. Don't judge - I'm a huge fan of doing what fit's Your life (not what others think) and of course Tons of research.

So our plan is somewhere between 'CIO' (cry it out for the non moms out there)  method and the 'No Tears Approach'

What's that you say?

I don't know if anyone else's kid is like this - but for some reason my daughter HAS to hold my hand, arm, face, body, foot - whatever quite frankly is attached to my body in order for her to sleep. It's probably the 16 months of co-sleeping.

So below lists my Sleep Regiment Journal for our New Journey to Sleep Haven:

1. Go in the room, change diaper, and put on Jammies around 830 PM
2. Turn off the lights, turn on soft music and story projection
3. Rock her to sleep then lay her in her crib
4. Since she was so accustomed to sleeping in a bed - we added a pillow and some extra blankets.
5. 9 PM - She wakes screaming. I find it is better to immediately respond before she is fully aware, and lay her back down, w/o making eye contact, patting her back to sleep and saying 'Night Night'.
6. Then Repeat the Above at 11, 12, 1:30AM.  BTW - my husband was trying with all his might to ignore this as he is a softie and after one dare, since of course he knows what he's doing - has happily conceded...Ok back to my plan.
7. Finally - no sound, I finally fell Asleep.
8. 5AM - Screams - Mommy!!!! I slowly walk in there, attempt to repeat step #5.
20 minutes pass, and still no sign of her letting up. She would take my hand, 'sleep' if it is present, but immediately scream once I move it. What do I do? Insert New Step NOW
9. Kiss her on the head, lay her down, tuck her in, say Night Night - and Leave the Room.
10. She cries for around 30 minutes - then Nothing.

My husband checks on her at 7AM and she is still sound asleep.

SUCCESS. I actually had to wake her up so we could make the 8:30 spin class ( remember Step 5?)

So yes Cookies for Breakfast (for her, not me - remember Step 5)

Now not sure what tonight will bring - we will probably stick to the above routine and hopefully have some more Cookies for Breakfast :) But for now - SUCCESS.