$6 Well Spent

I'm not a big sweets-for-breakfast kind of gal. I prefer sausage gravy over homemade biscuits. However, I do enjoy a homemade pancake or waffle from time to time.

We make pancakes every now and then but have never been able to make waffles because we don't have a waffle iron...until now!



Let me first say that I know you can get waffle irons just about anywhere but I'm a little particular about my waffles. I don't like the Belgium waffles. I like the old, thin waffles with the little squares. It's what I was raised on and you wouldn't believe how difficult it is to find an iron that makes these now! I've been on the hunt for about a year.

This past weekend we hit up the flea market only to find there was no flea market that day. We decided to stop in a little flea-market-type-store on the way home and found this beauty for $6!! I was a little skeptical about it actually working properly but figured what's the big loss if it doesn't?



After we cleaned that sucker up we were pleased to find out it works just fine.



I only makes two waffles at a time and takes about 9 minutes per 2 waffles but at least it cooks evenly!







Sweet P approved of our waffles too!

That Explains It

I'm assuming the post yesterday will answer a few questions as to my lack of presence here. A good friend called and asked if I was ok because I hadn't been posting so I decided I better clear it up here.

Yes, we are expecting another little one. Due date is set for April 1. Seriously, I'm not foolin' (get it, due date on April Fool's, yes I'm a nerd).

That means I'm close to 10 weeks along. It's a bit early than I wanted to share the news but the husband has been telling pretty much everyone - including strangers - so I caved and decided to share the news here too.



I haven't been feeling the greatest and I've been extremely tired. Like, I wake up and feel like I need a nap and have been falling asleep on the couch just after we put P down to bed (8pm). I don't really have a routine when it comes to writing this thing. Sometimes I write in the morning (when I was doing Insanity and up before the rest of the house - clearly I'm no longer doing that crazy workout) sometimes I write when P's down for her naps. She still takes two naps a day and I've been trying to nap when she does but I just can't fall asleep during the day. And, other times I write at night, but seeing how I'm falling asleep at 8 or 9 I just had the energy or desire to do it.



As you guys know, I really like food, however, I have been feeling nauseous all the time and just cooking food makes me want to puke. Too much for ya in the morning? Sorry, but seriously, the other night I was cooking ground turkey and almost had to stop and leave the house all together. The stench permeated the house and I didn't think the stink would ever go away. Needless to say, I didn't eat that meal and I certainly didn't have the stomach to stand near it to take a picture!

However, if I don't have to cook it, food isn't so bad. Bring on the donuts and ice cream.

All that to say there probably won't be many food posts for a bit. And since food is something I talk about a lot here, that probably means I won't be posting as often.

So, there you have it, I'm pregnant and preparing for a new little one. Ohhh, I am so excited about holding a teeny-tiny, sweet-baby-smelling little one.

Anyway, happy Wednesday and thank you for all the sweet comments yesterday!

Irish Oats

Have you every tried Irish Oats? I like it a lot better than plain ol oatmeal. There's something in those steel cut oats that has a little crunch. Not in a bad, like they-haven't-been-cooked-all-they-way, but just a little bite that gives it a good texture.

We don't follow directions very well around here and I don't go by what the side of the box says. I like my oats to cook in a little milk because it makes them oh-so-creamy, so I mix 1/4 C oats with 1/4 C milk and 1/2 C water.

I put all that in a pan with a pinch of cinnamon and turn the heat to medium low. Once it starts simmering, I turn the heat to low and since there's milk in it, I stir pretty frequently so it doesn't burn on the bottom. After all the milk and water has absorbed and simmered for about 5 minutes it's done.

I like to put a little butter and brown sugar on my oats. Then I pretend I didn't just put brown sugar in it and I add a little fruit to make it healthy.



Breakfast served.

Another Insanity Update

Well, today is my goal date for my Insanity challenge. I wish I could say I completed my goal of working out every weekday, but I've been slacking. I'm averaging 4 days a week, which isn't BAD, but it's not what I had planned. So, I decided to extend my plan another month.

I am NOT a morning person but I have actually enjoyed being up early before the other two wake up. It's like my only me time in the day and it's so peaceful (after I catch my breath and recover from those stupid insanity videos). It surprised me to learn that I actually liked getting up early. Plus, I feel like I have so much more time in the day. So, I may not work out every weekday, but I'm actually enjoying the torture so far.

Along with working out, we have been eating pretty "healthy" around here - not counting the weekends :) Here's some of the stuff I guess I consider healthy:

Poached egg on toast


Ham and veggie sandwich with veggie salad - I actually eat this almost every day for lunch.


And grilled portobello sandwich with baked zucchini fries - those fries are so good! Thanks for posting that Anna.


I love how bright and colorful healthy food is!

Oh, and I haven't had a donut since I started this challenge! But I have had cake, ice cream and oreos.

National Donut Day

Yep. It's today. Do you want to know what I ate for breakfast INSTEAD of a donut?



Blah. More granola, fruit and Greek yogurt.

Last year I celebrated with this:



I didn't plan this working out thing too well.

And an update on the working out thing, I have got up all three days so far and done that stupid cardio thing. My legs don't like me and it's very difficult to even straighten them. But, I guess that means I'm doing something to them, right? I did a whole lot better today than I did on day 1 so yay for me! I'm so ready for these next two days so I can have a little break. I know, only three days into it and I'm already happy about 2 days off.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Insanity

I'm trying something new for the entire month of June. I started the Insanity workout. I only have the cardio one right now, but after yesterday, that's all I'll need for a while. I am committing to getting up an hour early every day (*gasp* I love my sleep) and doing the workout each weekday for the entire month.

Why am I telling you this? I feel like if I put it out there, it will be harder not to. You know I'm doing it, I know I said I would, so there.

I used to workout and loved it. I felt like I was in pretty good shape and liked it. Then I got pregnant. I haven't exercised much since and feel a little blah. Last week I scheduled a hair appointment but my lady didn't have an opening until June 21. Geez. My roots are getting a little ick up there. Anyway, I decided I'd use that date as a goal to get in better shape. So, better bod and better hair by the 21? We'll see.

Along with the workout, I'm going to eat a little healthier. Which means...

No more double-cheesy delicious burgers. (for a month)

No more chili-cheese covered, golden-fried bits of tastiness (for a month)

And sadly, no more delicious, sweet, icing-covered pasteries. (for a month)

Or pretty much anything else that resembles anything that Jillian Michaels would kick my booty for!

(Well maybe not none of those things, just limited amounts.) And yes, this is the small print.

But just because I'm going to try to be healthier, that doesn't mean I'm not going to eat tasty things anymore. This morning I whipped up some Greek yogurt, frozen blueberries and granola.



So take that donut.

What a Weekend

Thanks to Nana and Pappy watching Sweet P one day this weekend, we did a LOT of house work and got to check a few things off the never-ending-to-do-list. Yay!

The husband worked on the garden planting everything from onions and radishes to lettuce and herbs. And he did a little yard maintenance.

This is leftover from our fall garden! Who knew lettuce could last all winter?

While he was outside, I was inside. I painted the entire kitchen (2 coats even).

Thanks Nana and Pappy!

With all that work and no time to take long breaks, I realized how hard it is to cook, so, we didn't. Instead, we ate super healthy!

After posting my dogs from Sonic, I felt like I was cheating on Jim's so I had to give them some coney love.

After I dropped P off at Nana's, I picked up a little breakfast.

It should also be noted that if you are looking for some of the best donuts in town, go to Daylight Donuts in BA (on 145th by Papa Murphy's). They are amazing and they have these little, square donuts (about the size of a donut hole) filled with bavarian creme. mmm.

Ok, so maybe it wasn't that healthy but they were fast and delicious!

And when P wasn't with Nana and Pappy, she was helping us in the garden!

I think we have a tiny green thumb in the making!

Hope you had a great weekend and hoping this week will be just a productive!

How to Survive an Oklahoma Blizzard

Cook, take pictures of it and eat. A lot

I don't want to talk about this snow issue any more but I think I may be starting to lose my mind! I've been stuck inside my house for what seems like weeks but has only been 4 days. 14" of snow doesn't melt very fast. And, we're supposed to get more!

So I have been entertaining myself with a little baking and a lot of eating.



My mom told me about a WW recipe that uses won-ton wrappers as a crust and a muffin pan for mini quiches. Well, I didn't have any wrappers or the recipe so I made up my own version.

I made these before the snow hit using leftovers we had in the fridge. 

• 1/4 C cooked sausage
• 1/4 C chopped mushrooms
• 1/2 a yellow pepper - chopped
• 4 sliced green onions
• a handful of mixed cheddar cheese 
• 5 eggs - slightly beaten
• a little cream 
• and some salft and pepper

I sauteed the onions, mushrooms and peppers.


Then added the sausage and cheese to the cooked veggies.


Mixed in the eggs, a little cream and some salt and pepper.


Cooked them at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes or so. And bada-bing. A complete breakfast in a muffin!



Two nights ago we ordered a Ken's Style Pizza from Mazzio's. It was AMAZING. I highly recommend.


And last night I got my sister's top secret chocolate chip cookie recipe and made my husband his favorite treat while he was at work.



Not such a good idea. Me, bored and alone with a giant plate of cookies.

Did I mention I like to snack when I'm bored!

Not the best answer to beating the boredom but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

I'm onto you Kellogg's

Do you remember this cereal?

I loved Nut & Honey Crunch as a kid. I have fond memories of playing with our old neighbor friends and eating it with them for breakfast. One of us would say, "what's going on?" and the other would reply, "nut & honey" (nothin' honey).

Okay, random. Well, one day, I went to the store to get some and couldn't find it. It was no where. Every time I'm in the cereal aisle I look for it. I guess they stopped making it!? But how could this be so? It was so good.

Then, the greatest thing happened this week. I saw this:

Hmm. I'm on to you Kellogg's!

Nut & Honey Crunch vs. Crunchy Nut - Golden Honey Nut.

I was pretty sure it had to be the same cereal but with a different name and fancy new packaging. I bought it, made a huge bowl and am here to report that it is indeed the same.

I think. If not, it's close enough for me!

Homemade Banana Bread Muffins (with chocolate chips!)

FRIDAY FOOD DAY!




Here's another recipe from Tasty Kitchen! I think this is my new favorite place to find recipes!

I've never made homemade banana bread so I don't really know how this recipe compares, but it was SO simple and fast...and delicious.

I didn't have any muffin tin liners so I made mini-muffins instead. I kind of like mini things better anyway, you can just pop them right in your mouth and they're gone!

So here's my photo tutorial for making banana bread with chocolate chips...

Preparing the dry ingredients.


Mashing the bananas.


Adding the wet ingredients.




Adding the bananas.


Mixing in the chocolate chips.


In the pan and ready for the crumb topping.


Preparing the crumb topping.


Crumb topping on and ready to bake.


Ready to eat!!!