Crave Wednesday: Bacon, Tomato, and Arugula Pizza

I've never really been into BLTs.  To begin with, I don't like mayonnaise, and without, a BLT is a little dry.  My second issue with BLTs is that they always seem...sparse.  Bacon is such a flat meat, that it doesn't take up much room on the sandwich the way other meats do. 

The answer to both of these issues is a BLT pizza.  No mayonnaise is necessary when you have marinara sauce to prevent drying out.  And rather than an anemic sandwich, the bacon serves as an accompaniment rather than the main event.  A thick whole wheat crust make even a slice of this pizza a filling meal.  And of course, cheese never hurts.

Bacon, Tomato, and Arugula Pizza

4 applewood smoked bacon sliced

2 cups grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

1 Tbsp cornmeal

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough (recipe below)

1/2 cup marinara sauce

3/4 cup shredded mozzarella

1 cup arugula

1 tsp olive oil

1/2 tsp white wine vinegar

1. Preheat oven to 450.  Cook bacon in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp.  Remove from pan, crumble and set aside.
2. Add tomatoes and red pepper to pan, cook 2 minutes.
3. Sprinkle a baking sheet with cornmeal.  Roll dough into a 12 inch circle and place on baking sheet.  Spread sauce over dough.
4. Top with tomato mixture.
5. Sprinkle bacon and cheese over tomato mixture.
6. Bake on bottom rack for 17 minutes.
7. Combine arugula, oil, and vinegar.  
8. Top pizza with arugula mixture.  Cut into 6 wedges.

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

1 1/4 tsp dry yeast

1/4 tsp sugar

2/3 cup warm water

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 tsp honey

5.6 oz flour

3.2 oz whole wheat flour 

1/2 tsp sea salt

1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in 2/3 cup warm water in a small bowl.  Let stand 5 minutes.  
2. Stir in olive oil and honey.
3. Combine flours and salt in the bowl of a stand mixture, stirring with a whisk.
4. Gradually add yeast mixture, beating at low speed until smooth.
5. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic.
6. Placed dough in a large bowl coated with cooking  spray, turning to coat top.  Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

Mommy Mondays: 23 weeks

My 22 week appointment went really well.  Everything is going swimmingly with this pregnancy, and although I complained about the incredible back pain and sciatica I'm having, my doctor apologized and told me it's normal and it's going to get worse.  Thanks doc.  I'm gaining weight like someone was paying me to do so, but my doctor doesn't seem concerned.  It's hard to see the numbers jump on the scale each month, but given how vigilant my doctor was last time about keeping track, the fact that she's isn't concerned is a relief. 

I bought replacement maternity jeans and tried them on for the first time last night.  Which made me feel a little better.  On the one hand, I look skinnier than even pre-pregnancy when I wear them, because it's quite obvious that any weight in my midsection is BABY.  I look hugely pregnant.  (And trust me, it only looks like the weight is baby.  There is still a lot of "me" in there too!)On the other hand, I look hugely pregnant.  Like much farther along that 23 weeks.  Maternity clothes will do that to you.  Especially maternity jeans.  I'll do a little review of maternity wear in a later post, but in general, the fit of maternity clothes emphasizes the bump.  Jeans push everything up and out.  Wearing maternity clothes makes me look at least a month farther along than I do when wearing my regular clothes, even just jeans with a bella band.

Which could be why I'm still trying to get wear out of my regular clothes for as long as possible.  I don't know how I lucked out this pregnancy, but I have had no bloat.  Around 8 or 9 weeks last time I had to stop buttoning my pants.  This time I lasted until second trimester.  And since my pants and skirts fit everywhere but that button part, I'm still making use of the bella band instead of buying a million maternity pants and skirts. 

Total weight gain/loss: +15

Next Appointment: March 2.
Maternity clothes? I made a lot of use of my maternity dresses this week, which are perfect for work.  Lots of unbuttoned shirts and tanks, and my regular pants with the bella band.
Stretch marks: nada.
Sleep: Pretty good this week!  Still having the back pain, but it doesn't seem to interfere with me staying asleep once I get there.

Best moment this week: I love hearing the heartbeat at doctor's appointments.  I also think we honed in on the crib skirt for the nursery.
Movement: All the time.  In fact, Thatkid woke up on Saturday morning and started calling for us.  Oppobaby took that as a sign to wake up too and started kicking/punching me from the inside.
Food cravings: Cake

Food aversions: Nothing
Gender: Not finding out

Belly Button in or out: In.  But it never popped last time, so I'm not expecting it to this time.
What I miss: Being able to bend over or move without being in pain.

What I am looking forward to: Viability next week!  Not that I'm ready for this baby to show up, it's just another good milestone.

Contractions: I think maybe!?!  Since I never had, I'm not sure if that's what it was, but it was an especially long and stressful day, it was late, I was tired, and probably dehydrated.  Washing dishes when I felt this pressure going across my lower abdomen.  I'm still not 100% sure it was a Braxton Hicks contraction or just the spine of the baby pressing against and across my stomach, but it went away once I sat down, put my feet up, and grabbed a glass of water.

 Milestones:

-Keratization of the skin.

-finger and toenails are beginning to make an appearance.

- Baby is making regular deep breathing movements.  Cells are lining the branches within the lungs and producing surfactant which assists lung functions. 

Sunday Runday: Carb Loading

If you run, or know someone who runs, chances are you're familiar with carb loading - eating a lot of carbohydrates the night before a race.

In theory, this makes sense.  Complex carbohydrates, that take some time to break down (as opposed to something like fruit or candy which burns quickly) help to give you energy through the race.

But have you ever had a really big, carb heavy meal?  Right after you feel sluggish and tired.  Which is NOT helpful for race day.

So how do you balance those two opposing forces?  Like I said, carb loading makes sense, but not that giant never-ending pasta bowl the night before a race.

Instead, smart runners increase their carb intake over days in the week before a race.  (Slow and steady, just like the tortoise!)  And they continue their carb-loading the morning of the race, with something like toast or oatmeal. 

Personally, I like my night before a race meals to include a mix of proteins and carbs - pizza is a big plus for me with the crust and some meaty topics.   One of my friends likes Chinese food, which also combines protein and carbs.   Because life can get so crazy, sometimes my pre-race meals seem to lack carbs completely, but because I've upped them over the week before, missing out on the night of doesn't seem to have a detrimental effect.  Of course, it probably helps that the half-marathon is my longest distance!

So eat up my friends, just make sure you don't do all your eating the night before!

The Big Bowl: Coconut Balls

We started planning our Superbowl snacks early on.  I mentioned to Thatkid that Thatboy used the Superbowl as an excuse to indulge in some of his favorite snacks - Doritos and Mug rootbeer.

Thatkid decided he wanted his own special snacks for the "Big Bowl" as he continued to call it.  He picked out some of the Trader Joes brand cheetos and some guava coconut water.

As for me, I went with fruit.   Tropical fruit to be exact.  I cut up some pineapple and papaya and filled a bowl.  Then I rolled some coconut with eggwhites for an easy to snack on treat which has some protein, which makes me feel like it's a healthy snack.

The only problem with my little coconut balls is that everyone else wanted to eat them too.  They barely made it to halftime. 

Coconut Balls

2 cups grated, unsweetened coconut

2 Tbsp light corn syrup

1/2 cup sugar

pinch of salt

egg white

1/4 tsp coconut extract

1.  Mix the coconut, corn syrup, sugar, and salt together in a pot.  Stir over medium heat about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the egg white and cook, stirring, for another 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the coconut extract and remove from heat.  Spread the mixture into a pie pan.  Place damp paper towels on top to avoid the coconut mixture from drying out and refrigerate until chilled.
4. Preheat oven to 300.  Shape the coconut mixture into small balls and place on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes.

Botany and Butterflies: Apple Jam

Back when Thatboy and I were young and carefree we spent a lot of time at Balboa Park.  Even though it's the perfect atmosphere for families, we really haven't taken advantage of it with Thatkid.  When we visited the Botanical Building in San Francisco, I realized we should really head over to our local version.  Especially since Thatkid loved looking at all the plants and flowers.

Last weekend, we packed another picnic lunch and headed over to our Botanical Building. 

The setting is one of the most picturesque in the park, with a reflecting pool leading to the building.  Filled with ducks, fish, and while we were there, an egret.

After taking in the wildlife we headed in to the view the foliage.

As I said, it's been years since we've visited, so I don't know if it's permanent or just a temporary exhibit, but right now there is an amazing display of orchids.  More varieties and more orchids than I have ever seen outside of an orchard farm in Hawaii.

 Thatkid delighted in pointing each one out - "Look at THIS flower! Look at THIS flower!  I like this pink flower."  He led us on a tour through the building.   We spent some time at the "stop and smell" exhibit, filled with fragrant herbs and plants.  A sign invited us to rub the leaves between our fingers and smell.  So we did.

When we had our fill of plants, we headed outside.  There are trees on other side of the building with notes about not disturbing the caterpillars and butterflies.  I noticed this on our way in, but we didn't stop to examine.  On the way out, we did.  And I am so glad we did.

We were able to see the entire cycle of the monarch butterfly on the trees.  There were the caterpillars:

All sorts of chrysalis (chrysali?) ranging from the bright green new cocoons to ones who looked like they were just about to burst open with new life.

 And of course, the butterflies themselves.  Some which appeared to have just emerged from their chrysalis (chrysali?) and others flitting through the leaves.

I've been breaking out of my own cocoon lately.  Since I discovered how easy it was to make jam, I've been a jam making fool.  I don't know that I'll ever buy it again.  I was under the impression it was a time consuming, difficult process, that made a ton of product.  I was wrong on all counts.  Really, it's as easy as applesauce.  And when you use apples, the ingredients are exactly the same - apples and sugar.  Like what you put in pie.  And you've probably heard the phrase easy as pie, right?

Apple Jam (From the Fannie Farmer Cookbook)

2 cups of peeled, cored, and chopped apple

3/4 cup sugar

1. Cook the apple until tender, adding enough water to prevent burning.
2. Add sugar to the fruit, stirring until it dissolves.  Boil rapidly until thick.  Pour into hot sterilized jars and seal.

Crave Wednesday: Bacon, Onion, and Mushroom Pizza

I've mentioned before Thatkid's current love of bacon.  He doesn't just associate the breakfast meat with breakfast, he's happy to have it on sandwiches, burgers, and pizzas.  But, unlike the rest of us who enjoy it as an accompaniment, he looks at the bread, buns, and crust as merely a plate to hold his beloved treat.  He picks the bacon off, and eats it - leaving everything else behind.

But he is also kind, this weekend he took his BLAT and shared it with Thatdog.  The two sat, side by side at the coffee table.  Thatkid eating some bacon and handing off other pieces to Thatdog.  Same with the tomato and avocado.  I sometimes wish Thatdog realized what a great friend he has in Thatkid, right now he looks at him solely as a food delivery system.

Thatboy and I very much enjoyed this pizza.  Thatkid pulled off the bacon and ate that, then nibbled on the crust, leaving the juicy mushrooms, sweet onions, and salty cheese.  He missed out.  The combination of the four is killer, as anyone who's ever had a mushroom bacon cheeseburger will tell you.

Bacon, Onion, and Mushroom Pizza (From Cooking Light)

1 Tbsp olive oil, divided

2 cups vertically sliced onion

8 oz sliced crimini mushrooms

2 tsp cornmeal

1 can refrigerated french bread dough

3/4 cup shredded white cheddar cheese

6 bacon slices, cooked and coarsely crumbled

1/4 cup finely chipped flat leaf parsley

1. Preheat oven to 425.  Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tsp oil to pan; swirl to coat.
2. Add onions, cook, stirring frequently, 6 minutes or until tender and lightly browned.  Place in a bowl.
3. Add 1 tsp oil to pan; add mushrooms.  Cook, stirring often, 6 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates.  Add to onion mixture and toss well.
4. Sprinkle cornmeal on a large baking sheet.  Gently, unroll dough onto a lightly floured surface.  Roll to within 1/4 inch of edge.  
5. Sprinkle onion mixture with cheese and bacon.  Place pan on bottom rack in oven.  Bake for 15 minutes or until the crust is golden.
6. Sprinkle with parsley and cut into 6 pieces.

Mommy Mondays: 22 weeks

Today I have my 22 week appointment.  My first appointment seemed so long ago!  Right now, I have a squirmy, wiggly, little thing that resembles a baby living inside me.  But at that first appointment, there was no way of knowing if there was anything there at all.

First appointments are nerve-wracking.  30% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. 10% occur within the first 4 weeks, often known as a "chemical pregnancy" and many women don't even know they were pregnant.  Which means 20% of "known" pregnancies end in miscarriage.  And before that first appointment, there's no way of knowing whether you're a statistic or not.  There's no movement to reassure you, "pregnancy symptoms" mean nothing because your body could still be producing the hormones which cause the symptoms even if they baby has stopped growing.

My doctor waits for the first appointment until somewhere between 8 and 10 weeks.  For both of my kids I've had mine during the 9 week mark.  She's explained to me that before this time period, it's very difficult to see anything, hard to identify structures, and the heartbeat may or may not be present.  But none of these factors indicate a healthy growing baby before 8 weeks, and often if an expectant mother doesn't see these things, it feeds into her anxiety leading to another later appointment anyway.

The first appointment is a breath holding experience.  There's small talk to begin with, a taking of vitals, a social and medical history.  I got the added bonus of a pap smear since I was due for one in January anyway.  But then comes the moment of truth.  The baby is too small to be picked up by an abdominal ultrasound which means the transvaginal ultrasound gets lubed up and ready to go.  If you're lucky, like me, you get to see a little blob.  Nothing quite human looking, but definitely animalistic structures, a head, a rear (maybe even a bit of a tail), and some little arms and legs.  There's a flicker - which is the heartbeat. A flick of the ultrasound machine and that reassuring buh-buh-buh-buh-buh-buh is heard.  Which makes it all worthwhile.

Total weight gain/loss: +10

Next Appointment: Today!
Maternity clothes? Same as always - maternity tops, pants with bella band, and regular dresses.
Stretch marks: nada.
Sleep:I'm having real issues with sleep because I'm just so uncomfortable - back pain, hip pain, sciatica.  I think I figured out the issue which might involve needing an extra pillow.

 Best moment this week: Nothing stands out really.   I definitely enjoyed spending the whole afternoon/evening on the couch yesterday!
Movement: All the time.
Food cravings: Nothing

Food aversions: I don't know if this counts, but I was eating a salad at lunch the other day and decided I was over the salami and pepperoni in it.
Gender: Not finding out

Belly Button in or out: In.  But it never popped last time, so I'm not expecting it to this time.
What I miss: Being able to bend over or move without being in pain.

What I am looking forward to: Appointment this afternoon.

Contractions: Nope.  Last time around I didn't get them until they were induced through medication.  Part of me is kind of hoping to actually have those moments this time.

 Milestones:

- Baby's inner ear is mature enough to hear low sound frequencies. 

- Baby can grasp (still reflexively if something touches the palm of the hand)

- Nervous and muscular systems are mature enough for baby to suck in amniotic fluid.

- Baby is starting to develop the ability to remember things

Sunday Runday: Running Injuries

Let's face it, running puts a lot of stress on your body.  Not that it's the exclusive means to do so.  I've sprained my ankle at least 6 times, and only once was running.  The other 3 times I was merely walking - another very dangerous activity.


I'm not a doctor, and I'm by no means trained to give any sort of medical advice,  but I'm happy to share with you some of my tips and trips for the common running injuries I've experienced.

My first piece of advice?  See a doctor.  Not for everything.  I mean, if you fall in the middle of the intersection and scrape your knee (been there!) you're probably fine.  But pain in your back, hip, knees, go get checked out.  At the very least it will get you some physical therapy - and I swear by physical therapy for runners.  Because PT gives you exercises to help strengthen whatever injured body part you have, so you don't continue to injure it with repetitive movement like running.

Secondly, invest in a foam roller.  Based on absolutely no empirical data I will say a majority of problems from running comes from muscles that are too tight.  These tight muscles, located in places that are difficult to stretch, like your piriformis, in turn affect the surrounding muscles, tendons, joints, ligaments.  Rolling out the muscles (myofascial release) helps to break down the tightness in these muscles.  It hurts.  If it doesn't, you're probably doing it wrong.  But regular rolling helps to prevent future injuries.

My third piece of advice is also preventative.  Get fitted for running shoes.  And then, find the right running shoes for you.  So many issues are caused by bad, old, or ill fitting shoes.  But you need something that's going to support your running, not hinder it.  When I first started running seriously I was fitted and recommended a pair of New Balance.  My first run in them gave me my first ever shin splints.  And knee soreness.  They went right back.  Even though they were the "right shoe" for me based on gait, they didn't work well for me.  I typically wear neutral shoes, and find Nikes to be a good fit for my long narrow feet, but even within the Nike brand, not every model works for me.  So it's a trial and error process, but in the long run, your body will thank you.

Most of my injuries have involved my back - slipped discs and SI Joint dysfunction.  And although running has never been the cause, it certainly can aggravate injuries.  My fourth recommendation, is to be realistic in taking stock of your body.  LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.  I was once in the middle of a 10k when I almost broke down crying because I was dumb enough to try running it with a disc problem.  Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.  And a surefire way to ensure you're running shoes are packed away for an even longer time.  Back and knee issues are nothing to mess with.  And sometimes that means you need to rest and treat instead of pushing forward.

My other running injuries have centered around my IT band.  Which is where I discovered the wonder that is KT Tape.

When I discovered KT tape back in 2010, it was hard to find and not so well known.  Now almost every race expo I've been to has professionals there slapping it on the runners the day before the race.  It also works well for back, hip, neck, shoulder, and arm pain from what I've heard  (but again, minor niggling feelings, anything more than that?  See a doctor!)  Personally my IT band issues have seemed to clear up since alternating my runs between sneakers and vibrams, but for minor aches and pains, this stuff is fantastic.

Weekend Brunch: Apricot Pineapple Jam

Thatboy and I are getting back into our weekend routines.  Thatkid wakes up shortly before dawn, and for a long time we've been getting up with him.  Which makes us pretty useless in the morning, lazing about because we're too tired to actually do anything.  We've gone back to our "turnsies!" early mornings.  So one day I get up early with the kid, and one day Thatboy gets up early.  Meanwhile, the other sleeps in.

I enjoy having a sleep in day, it makes it all worthwhile.  On mornings when it's my turn to stay in bed I awake to find the boys have eaten breakfast and often Thatboy has started on the lawn work.  On mornings I'm up early I enlist Thatkid to help me make a breakfast for all of us.  He's a big help in the kitchen.

Last weekend we made an orange bread.  I had high hopes of using fruit from our tree, but it's still a touch green, and Thatboy insists on picking them early, so we don't have ripe ones yet.   Thatkid is so proud to present his work to Thatboy upon his awakening. 

Homemade bread, on its own is a treat, but to really get the most out of it, you need to have it warm, slathered in butter and homemade jam.  This was a new one for me, but I love the combination of flavors.  Pineapple adds that brightness you often get from citrus, with the sweetness that you don't. 

Apricot Pineapple Jam (From the Fannie Farmer Cookbook)

1 lb dried apricots

8oz canned crushed pineapple and juice

sugar

1. Put the apricots in a pot and barely cover with cold water.  Cook until soft.  Drain, reserving the juice.
2. Chop the fruit and return to the juice.
3. Add the canned pineapple with its juices and measure.
4. Put in a large pot and bring to a boil.  Measure sugar, using two-thirds as much sugar as fruit and stir in.
5. Boil rapidly, stirring to prevent sticking, until thick.  Pour into hot, sterilized jars and seal.

Grown Up Night: Popcorn Balls

On Saturday night, Thatboy and I headed out for a much needed date night.  We don't do those nearly enough and they always make me extremely giddy.  Partially because it is an amazing feeling to eat dinner at a "grown up" time and have uninterrupted grown up conversation!

We sat beside a large plate glass window overlooking fountains while we ate lobster bisque, brie, steak, pork, creme brulee, key lime pie, and a chocolate brownie.  We got to talk about our days, upcoming plans, and enjoy the company.  I love nights like that, they make me feel young again.

We got home to find our master manipulator had convinced his sitters to let him stay up, as he dived into the bed and pretended to be asleep as we walked in.  But honestly, I can't get worked up about him staying up late every now and again, especially when it means he doesn't scream, cry, or wail when we leave the house.

It helps that we spent the entire day with him, catering to what he wanted to do.  There's nothing quite like spending hours making dinosaurs out of clay!  And that I made his all time favorite dinner while we headed out-  macaroni and cheese.  He ate 2 bowls!

Macaroni and cheese is his favorite food, but he shares another favorite with me - popcorn.  We both love popcorn.  And while in general I'm not a huge fan of sweet popcorn like caramel corn (I make an exception for the salty sweetness of kettle corn), there's something very fun about popcorn balls.  They're fun to make, and fun to eat, they make me feel young again.

Popcorn Balls

12 cups airpopped pop corn
2 cups light corn syrup

1 Tbsp cider vinegar

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla

1. Combine the corn syrup, vinegar, and salt in a heavy pot.  Cook over medium heat, stirring until the syrup reaches 250 on a candy thermometer.
2. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla.
3. Place the popcorn in a large greased bowl and pour the syrup over, tossing with a greased fork until the syrup coats it all.
4. Let the popcorn cool until you can handle it, and then shape into 3 inch balls.  Place each ball on wax paper until they are completely cool.

Crave Wednesday: Artichoke and Arugula Pizza with Provolone

You guys know what this weekend is right?  The one weekend where sports fanatics and people who don't even know the shape of a football join together. 

The Superbowl seems to be the great uniter, because there are lots of different reasons to watch.  Some people watch for the commercials.  Some for the halftime show.  Some for the actual sport itself.  And of course, there are those who watch for the food.

Superbowl food is its very own category.  Diets are put on hold for the day.  "Bar food" becomes "home food."  We hold parties and invite our friends over - delighting them with all that is cheesy, meaty, and crunchy.  Pizza is, of course a Superbowl staple.  This pizza is not your typical Superbowl fare.  There are no pepperonis.  There are no mushrooms.  Instead there is prosciutto and artichoke. I promise these are substitutions your Superbowl guests won't mind.  And if they do, well that just means more pizza for you!

Artichoke and Arugula Pizza with Provolone (From Cooking Light)

1 Tbsp yellow cornmeal

1 can of refrigerated pizza crust

2 Tbsp pesto

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

1 package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and drained

1 oz thinly sliced provolone

2 Tbsp shredded Parmesan

1 1/2 cups arugula

juice of 1 lemon

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and sprinkle with cornmeal.  Unroll the dough onto the baking sheet and pat into a 14x10 inch rectangle.
2. Spread pesto evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border.
3. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over pesto.  Place baking sheet on bottom rack in the oven.  Bake for 5 minutes.
4. Coarsely chop artichokes and arrange on pizza.
5. Top with sliced prosciutto.
6. Sprinkle with Parmesan.  Return to bottom rack in oven.  Bake an additional 6 minutes.
7. Place arugula in a bowl.  Drizzle lemon juice over arugula and toss gently.  Top pizza with the arugula mixture and cut into 6 rectangles.  Cut each rectangle diagonally into 2 wedges.

Mommy Mondays: 21 Weeks

One of the hallmarks of pregnancy is crazy dreams. With Thatkid I had vivid dreams of the birth, that he was she (which according to my PA is right, because we dream of the opposite sex...), and amazing dreams involving sex and the men in the television shows I watched.  Since this is Oppo-baby, it should come as no surprise that I am having absolutely no crazy dreams.  No dreams involving a baby at all, or being pregnant, or being a family of four, and no sex dreams. 

I'm having the weird dreams, but not any different than my typical weird dreams.  I've dreamt about taking Thatkid to Sea World, or airplane trips, or him throwing gigantic tantrums in the supermarket.  I dream about work issues, and all the things I dreamed about 5 months ago.

I had a really rough first trimester, and now that I'm in the "boring" second trimester I'm thankful for the movement I feel all the time, because otherwise it would be easy to forget I'm actually pregnant. 

Total weight gain/loss: +10

Next Appointment: February 2
Maternity clothes? Still top only - I tried to wear my black maternity pants this week and they're too big.  Sigh.  I was really hoping to save money on maternity clothes this time around by not having to buy new.
Stretch marks: nada.
Sleep: Not enough!  But mostly because I've been staying up to late.

 Best moment this week: I think it is far too early for the baby to have "responsive" movements as opposed to involuntary ones, even still it was kind of cool earlier this week to do what felt like a little call and response with the little one.
Movement: Yup, lots and lots.  My PA warned me I might not have consistent movement for weeks, but like with Thatkid, this one never stops moving around.
Food cravings: Nothing

Food aversions: Not really.
Gender: Not finding out

Belly Button in or out: In.  But it never popped last time, so I'm not expecting it to this time.
What I miss: Running without pelvic pressure.  And it wasn't even that long ago!

What I am looking forward to: Nothing big this week, it's going to be a mellow one baby-wise.  Big one work wise which isn't so fun.

Contractions: Nope.  Last time around I didn't get them until they were induced through medication.  Part of me is kind of hoping to actually have those moments this time.

 Milestones:

- Baby has been focused on growing organs and stuff up till now, now s/he's starting to store fat.

- Baby now produces red and white blood cells and platelets!  Earlier this was done by the yolk sack.

- Finger and Toe prints are forming.

- The sphincter muscle is fully functional, keeping meconium out of the amniotic fluid.

Sunday Runday: The Secret Conversations of Runners

I'm about to break the whole thing wide open - spill the deepest, innermost thoughts of all your running companions.

Or not.

One of the fantastic aspects of my running group is that it's more than just support, and people to run with, but we also get together socially too.  These little get togethers are always a little nerve racking for me, because usually the people I've never met outnumber the people I know.  I go through that whole anxiety thought process of - what if they don't like me?  What if it's awkward?

But the great thing about hanging out with other runners is that there is always an instant connection.  Always something to talk about.

So what do runners talk about?
- past races
- future races
- post pregnancy race plans
- their kids
- food
- strollers
- running get togethers

Picnic Weekend Part 2: Salted Brazil Nuts

Because one day of hiking just wasn't enough for us, Thatkid and I met up with his friends for another day full of fun the very next day.  Horsewhisper has been frequenting Daley Ranch with her family recently and felt like it would be a good venue for the little guys to stretch their legs.

None of them were actually all that into the hike, but they did love spending time with each other.  They're all very into super heroes right now, so they spent a lot of time "flying" down the trail.

We headed all the way up to Ranch where we had picnic lunches, went on a snake hunt, and played with sticks.  This is one of my favorite pictures of the kids.  Juriskid did NOT want his picture taken, Little HW isn't paying attention, and Little Pirate and Thatkid obviously have no idea where the camera is, but know they're supposed to smile.

The grownups talked about how much these guys have changed since the beginning.  The first meeting was when the kids were 5 months old (before Thatbaby was even born!) And they just sat around staring at each other like babies.  Now they're running, playing, and interacting with each other.

Thatkid and I were definitely tired out from our hike and busy morning, but it's always nice to go for a walk with friends.  And since everyone there was a mom, we were prepared for everything.  No worries about forgetting sunscreen.  And snacks galore for the kids.  The Horsewhispers won the competition for best snacks.  They had pretzels AND trail mix with M&Ms.  We spoke about the biggest problem I have with trailmix - Thatkid eats all the m&ms and leaves the rest.  Which is why we tend to stick with just nuts as snacks.  But nuts are a great snack on their own.  Sure chocolate is nice, but it's not necessary.  Especially when the nuts are roasted and salted, and sliced thin to make snacking easy.

Salted Brazil Nuts

1 cup Brazil nuts

1 Tbsp butter

salt

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Cover the nuts with cold water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Lower the heat and simmer for 3 minutes.  Drain and cool.
2. Slice the nuts lengthwise and spread on a baking pan.  
3. Dot with butter, sprinkle with salt, and bake for 15 minutes.

Picnic Weekend Part 1: Raspberry Jam

I can't remember if I wrote about this or not, and I'm too lazy to check, but back in November we awoke to find the ceiling cracked and coming down in the guest bedroom. 

As upsetting as this was, it was compounded by the fact that we had plans that day to meet up with some friends for a hiking trip.  Because these friends were Thatboy's coworkers, I sent him and Thatkid out for the hike while I stayed home and met with contractors, contacted the insurance, and played point person.   The good news is that the work on the room is almost completed - the air conditioner that was the source of the problem was replaced, the mold which was found was removed, the heater which wasn't a problem but determined to be condemned was likewise replaced, the ceiling was put back up, this time with an access panel to reach our attic from the inside, and the room has been painted. 

And since we're almost back to normal, it was time for me to make up for the hiking I had missed.   We headed back out to Alpine for a hike in the Cleveland National Forest.   We got caught on the freeway for an extra hour on our drive due to a potential jumper on the overpass, and our little trooper was a bit over it by the time we got to the forest.  Thatboy found a nice, easy, hike for us and we trekked along to a near constant chorus of "I'm hungry."  So we found a nice rock to stop for a little snack.

Thatkid was much more energized after he got some food in his stomach.

For a little bit that is.  I swear this kid must be going through a growth spurt.  Because it wasn't long before we heard the familiar refrain again.  Luckily I had packed us lunches, so a picnic break was in order.

 

I don't know what it is, but I have a thing for picnics.  Something about eating outside amidst beautiful scenery just does it for me.  And I pack a mean picnic.  This one consisted of olives, grape tomatoes, apples, and of course, the main course - peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. 

PB&J is fantastic for a hike.  You don't have to worry about refrigeration and peanut butter is a great source of protein and energy.   But I'm not going to share a recipe for peanut butter and jelly.  Everyone knows how to make those.  There are children's songs written about it.  This PB&J had a very special ingredient, homemade raspberry jam. 

This may be the simplest jam to make.  A great introduction to jam making for the novice.  Only two ingredients - raspberries and sugar!  And it's a big hit here.  Thatkid now searches for it specifically in the fridge.  When I mentioned I was going to have toast for breakfast he headed straight over and suggested I use the raspberry jam.  I love when something so simple is so well received.

Raspberry Jam

2 cups raspberries

1/2 cups sugar

1. Put raspberries in a pot and crush them.  Cook for 15 minutes over low heat.
2. Add the sugar and bring to a boil.  Continue cooking until the mixture reaches 214 degrees (use a candy thermometer to verify).
3. Let cool then pour into a hot, sterilized jam jar and seal.

Crave Wednesday: Apricot and Prosciutto Thin-Crust Pizza

This is the noisiest pizza I have ever made.  Now I know what you're thinking - noisy pizza?  She must be doing it wrong.  Well, that is certainly a possibility my friends. 

You see, like any good kitchen, mine has a smoke alarm.  A smoke alarm that not only detects smoke, but also heat.  A smoke alarm that does not like when my oven is up at 550.  By the way, my oven doesn't like 550 either.  It got to 545 and started shaking it's head nuh-uh.  545 is apparently as high as it is willing to go.  And my smoke alarm didn't like that either.

Luckily this pizza only cooks for 9 minutes total.  The preheating time is still a bit of an issue, but I suggest you enlist someone tall and handy with a towel to stand and wave the hot air away from the smoke detector.  That's what I did.

Apricot and Prosciutto Thin-Crust Pizza (From Cooking Light)

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 tsp dry yeast

8 1/2 tsp olive oil, divided

1/2 tsp salt, divided

6 oz bread flour

cooking spray

2 Tbsp cornmeal

1 tsp chopped fresh thyme

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

3 apricots, pitted and each cut into 8 wedges

2 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced

3/4 cup crumbled goat cheese

1 1/2 Tbsp finely chopped flat leaf parsley

1 Tbsp minced fresh chives

1 cup arugula

1 oz thinly sliced prosciutto

1/4 cup shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano

1. Combine the water and yeast in a bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook and let stand 5 minutes.
2. Add 4 tsp oil and 1/4 tsp salt to the yeast mixture
3. Add flour to yeast mixture and mix 2 minutes.  Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
4.  Remove dough from fridge and let stand 1 hour.  Punch down.  Sprinkle cornmeal on a baking sheet.  Roll dough into a thin 12-inch circle.  Crimp edges to form a 1/2 inch barrier.  Pierce dough several times with a fork.
5. Place a pizza stone on the bottom rack of the oven and preheat the oven to 550.  
6. Combine 1 Tbsp oil, thyme, pepper, apricots, shallots, and 1/4 tsp salt and toss.
7. Slide dough onto the preheated pizza stone.  Bake for 4 minutes.
8. Top dough with goat cheese and apricot mixture.  Bake an additional 5 minutes.
9. Cut pizza into 10 wedges and sprinkle with parsley and chives.
10. Toss arugula with 1 1/2 tsp of oil and arrange over the apricot mixture.
11. Top with prosciutto and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Mommy Mondays: 20 Weeks

I am firmly ensconced in the second trimester now.  I'm halfway through with the pregnancy!  Which means right now I'm feeling pretty good.  Except for the constant nosebleeds (another fun new symptom this pregnancy), and my sciatica is driving me nuts.  My running is even a smidge faster than it was first trimester! 

I've been photodocumenting this pregnancy, just as I did the last, but really no one wants to see weekly pictures but me.  But I'm officially showing right now as those who know me will agree, so it's probably time to share a snapshot of where we are now, at 20 weeks.  I've been taking pictures wit the corresponding size produce, this week the baby's the size of an artichoke!

As I was telling Horsewhisper yesterday, I don't have that pregnant woman glow.  I have that tired mama look.

Total weight gain/loss: +10

Next Appointment: February 2
Maternity clothes? I switched over this week with tops.  Still mostly wearing regular pants with the bella band.  Which is good, because I realized yesterday that I can't find my maternity jeans!  My super expensive big splurge from my first pregnancy maternity jeans.  I'm devastated.
Stretch marks: nada.
Sleep: Not enough!  But mostly because I've been staying up later.
Best moment this week: Ridiculous kicking.  All the time.  They make my night.
Movement: See above!  I can even kind of feel it from the outside!
Food cravings: Nothing

Food aversions: Not really.
Gender: Not finding out

Belly Button in or out: In.  But it never popped last time, so I'm not expecting it to this time.
What I miss: Singing in the shower without getting breathless.

What I am looking forward to: Nothing big this week, it's going to be a mellow one baby-wise.  Big one work wise which isn't so fun.

Contractions: Nope.  Last time around I didn't get them until they were induced through medication.  Part of me is kind of hoping to actually have those moments this time.

 Milestones:

- Halfway there!

- Baby is starting to lay down fat reserves.

Sunday Runday: Changing it Up

As I slogged through my runs this week I got to thinking about how far I came last year.  In so many respects.  First with the distance.  I used to dread anything over 6 miles, now when asked to run 10 I don't even blink.

But my biggest accomplishment was my speed.  I'm so proud of my sub-30 5ks last year, especially given that I never focused on my speed.  And I really think a lot of it has to do with the cross-training I added in to my routine.

I honestly have always dismissed the idea of cross-training in the past. I mean, I love running and the fact I can zone out, do it on my own, and in my own time.  But it's still challenging to find time for it.  Finding time to add something else in too?  What's the point.

But last year I added in pilates to my daily routine.  I noticed a change in my body, and I also noticed a change in my running.  Focusing on different muscles than get worked during your average run made me feel stronger during my runs, and in turn, I got faster. 

The pilates also helped with my flexibility, and I think helped me be less sore after runs.  Which allowed me to run even more!

There are various schools of thought behind cross-training.  Most recommend some aerobic, complementary workout such as swimming or cycling.  As I said, I liked pilates - the combination of strength training and stretching.  What are your thoughts on strength training?  Do you do it?  What do you do?

New Year, New Friends:

We started the first weekend of the month by visiting with old friends.  Last weekend we spent with some new ones.

First up was a visit to the Ks.  There's a brand new Baby K and I couldn't wait to get to meet her!  Of course, I can never go to visit a family with a new baby empty handed:

 

Is anyone else just going nuts for fruit lately or is it just me?  I packed her a big bag with some winter staples - citrus, pears, and apples.   Along with some individual shepherd's pies.  Perfect for a quick reheat for dinner or lunch.  I did both the classic lamb,

 

As well as a turkey version (with redskin mashed potatoes).

And for some easy lunches, a loaf of bread and some chicken salad.

Chicken Salad

1 chicken breast, diced
1 quarter red onion, minced
1 celery stalk, minced
juice of 1/2 lemon
2 tsp mayonnaise
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
Dash of hot sauce 

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

But we couldn't stay and visit too long, because we had important places to me.  Thatkid had a birthday party to get to!  Thrown by one of his new besties at his new school, Kragle.

And this party also marked an important first for Thatkid.  His first time at Chuck E. Cheese.

He loved riding the rides and playing games with his friends

 

And I found out that Kragle and Thatkid would be Vegas's dream come true as I watched them slide token after token into a machine.

The one new friend Thatkid was not a fan of was the mouse himself.  He became hysterical at the mere sight of Mr. Cheese, breaking down into tears and trying to throw himself from his chair during the birthday show.  He even bypassed pizza and cake in an effort to stay away from Chuck.  He still talks about the fact that he did not like "the real Chuck E. Cheese guy."

New Year, Old Friends: Crystallized Mint Leaves

Thatkid is never content.  Last time we went to the "train park" with Little LO he kept saying he wanted to go to the train park with Lexus.  In truth, I think it's less about being a malcontent, and more about wanting all his friends to be with him all the time.  He hasn't quite grasped the concept that everyone doesn't know everyone.

Whatever the reason, once the holidays were over and we could all settle down, I played a play date at the train park with Lexus.  (And of course he wanted to know if BA or Little Parrot were going to be there also).

It's been a hot minute since these two last saw each other - I think it was Thatkid's birthday in October.  But it doesn't seem to matter.  The two fall right into old habits nearly instantly.

We rode the train twice, with the kids choo-chooing the whole way.  Then we headed over to the playground for them to burn off their own steam.

And because these guys can't get enough of each other, we had dinner together, parted ways, and met up the next morning for Captain N's super hero birthday party.

Seriously, I know I've said it before, but I love how close these kids are.  Lexus, Thatkid, Captain N, and BA all went to daycare together from the time Thatkid was 5 months old until this past summer.  Lexus and Thatkid have moved on to different schools, but they still share such a bond.  Captain N spent all morning making sure Thatkid and Lexus would be at the party and as soon as we arrived, the three were inseparable again.

Until, of course, BA showed up and the Gruesome Twosome took off on their own adventures.

After a weekend spent surrounded by 3 year olds (and a newly 4 year old), both Thatboy and I could use a good, stiff drink.  Problem is, I don't get to do much of that right now.  So while Thatboy made himself a mojito, I got a non-alcoholic alternative - iced tea. The star of both our drinks were the crystallized mint leaves.  Sugar mint leaves turn your average ice tea into something really special, and since sugar and mint are two of the main ingredients in a mojito, these mint leaves serve as a way to kill 2 birds with one stone.

Crystallized Mint Leaves (From the Fannie Farmer Cookbook)

 36 mint leaves 

1 egg white, beaten stiff

1/4 tsp peppermint extract

1/4 cup superfine sugar

1. Preheat oven to 250.  Wash mint leaves and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Brush both sides of each mint leaf with the egg white.
3. Use a fork to mix the peppermint extract into the sugar
4. Place some wax paper over a cake rack on a baking pan.
5. Dip each leaf into the sugar and place on wax paper.  Bake for 10-15 minutes, turning halfway through, until dry.