KU unit 9 final blog

I find that this term in particular has flown by, I will be happy to end this term and begin a new one. Most importantly I am looking to the week break in between. I moved states, started a new job all while trying to keep up in school with the regular duties of raising twins. I think I did okay, but hopefully it works out and everything is fresh and great next term. I wish luck and the best wishes to the fellow classmates and professors.

Kristi

KU unit 8: New work.

This week, my picture have been slacking on the meals I have been preparing. I started a new job, finally on thursday! I was so happy to have obtained work in this state, I have been hunting since we moved in the last week of June. So yay! Now if I can just find a systematic routine I can sign up at the local gym and begin my serious weight loss routine. My eating was right on target today for my loss... I just feel like I have done more when I workout. I am just so tired, between work, school, the twins, making lucnhes, household chores. I am not super woman! Lol.

Indoor mini golfing..

We wanted to take the kids out for something, but it was so hot, I couldn't bare half of the things that Ion had laid out. So I went looking for alternatives. We located an indoor miniature golfing. I have to say it is loads of fun when you have little ones to run a muck and make you scream like a crazy person all the while looking for a runaway. Ha!
Here are a few pics of the adventure.
Chess telling us she is cheating. Lol.

For some reason they stayed at this whole for like 20 minutes.

Trying to get a pic with daddy.

Running a muck(as was mentioned earlier)
Breaking for the video games, per Eli.

An attempt at a together shot. These were easier to get not to long ago.

Pretending the shark bit him. Lol!

ku unit 7:coconut shrimp &leftover veggie orzo veggie orzo

I wanted to see if I could make the tasty coconut shrimp minus the frying. So I tried to find a recipe to fit my needs, and didn't see one, so I just guessed.

3 egg whites
1/2 c. cornstarch
1/2 c. shredded coconut
salt & pepper to taste(optional)

I mixed the pepper and some morton's salt subsitiute in the cornstarch. I drenched the raw shrimp in cornstarch. Next I dipped the shrimp in the egg white, and followed up with the shredded coconut. I sprayed a foil lined pan with ALOT of cooking spray, to avoid sticking. Baked at 350 for about 10-12 mins until shrimp is cooked through.

I have to say this was delicous. Especially the dipping sauce I made.
I squeezed a few tbsp.'s of an orange into 2 tbsp of honey, tossed in a few coconut flakes. The whole family inhaled it. Served with last nights orzo.

"tutti Frutti biscuits"

I found this recipe in the Hungry girl book. I just added cherries in it.

2/3 c drained canned fruit cocktail
2/3 c regular oats
1/3 c pancake mix
1/4 c vanilla soymilk
1 tbsp sugar(splenda)
2 tbsp strawberry preserves
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp melted butter
3/4 tsp baking powder

Mix all together, will be pancake like and lumpy consistency batter. put on pan like cookies. Bake at 425 degrees for about 12-14 minutes.
The kids ate them all, I however did not care for it, the fruit was mushy and unflavorful.

132 calories a biscuit, I would rather have a cookie. Lol.

Today is my bday.

I am 28 today. eek! Officially in the late 20's. It was a sad time reach it, but the day of was wonderful. I was gifted jewelry, shoes, flowers and of course money and a fabulous dinner a Pappadeux's. It was to dark to take pictures of the food, but I began with boudin as the appetizer and one frog leg from Ion's plate. The I had Australian Rock Tail lobster and filet mignon oscar. Yum!!! However, I ended up taking the whole filet mignon home. Lol.The desert was good too.

Chile experiment.

I decided to experiment with an omelette, and make a southwestern omelette! I am in New Mexico now and keep hearing about the 'green chiles' are suppose to be the best. So what better way than to try them in my breakfast. Iused one egg, and 4 eggwhites. Inside I put in some black beans, pico de gallo, and a little queso fresca(mexican cheese). On top I used half an avocado,green chiles, and some oikos FF greek yogurt(replaces sour cream). It was very yummy, but the chiles tasted just like the ones I had in California, so I still do not get the big deal made by the locals. I also have in the makes a pepperoni omelette! Lol! Tomorrow is my bday and I am excited! SO far I got new boots, a few dresses and a necklace!

KU Unit 5 post. My Starbucks vs at home coffee comparison.

So I have been looking into making my own iced coffee's for a while. I occasionally make them but generally stick with starbucks, although I dont like SB Iced coffee as much as the hot version; as they sort of have an after taste of metal or pennies. The ones I make at home seem to be tastier to me, since relocating to ALbuquerque it is a little drive to a SB, so I have been making my own nearly every morning and have not missed SB like I expected. I wanted to know how much I was saving. So I added up the cost perserving for all my coffee goodies: lite cool whip, coffee, caramel sauce, creamer and stevia or sweet n lows. I was appalled to realize how much I had been wasting on my coffees and have now decided to boycott SB and make a savings of it. LoL! The result is $0.31 with whip, vs $4.65 each morning. Imagine that!!!!! Also, I found these awesome cups at Wal-Mart reusable which to me looked perfect for taking my morning iced coffee to go! The lid even screws on all for 5 bucks!! Check it out:

Pepperoni omelette.

A very interesting request from Ion out of the hungry girl cookbook.

Very easy.

I use egg whites, tossed in some mini turkey pepperonis and some shredded mozzerella on top, Ion had some marinara on top of his. It was definitely a keeper he said in the breakfast rotations. I sided mine with some sliced strawberries, blackerries and cherries.
Yum Yum!

KU unit 4 : post

Today was an interesting day, I actually got alot done, including some exercise, I got everything I needed to do finished except for find work. I am still hunting for a job in this new area and it is very depressing at how difficult this search is becoming. Anyway, onto a quick meal I made. I wanted to make my on potstickers, the steamed ones not fried. I used one package of premade wonton shells.
I used
4 oz ground chicken
4 oz ground pork
2 tsp of pepper, salt, garlic salt
1 tsp worchestire sauce
1 tsp soy sauce
green onions minced to taste.
combine all together and stuff in the wontons and steam as normal.

Sorry I forgot to take finished pictures, but they were yummy! The twins inhaled them. I also minimzed my sodium intake. WoohoO!

KU unit 3:Sickly & comparing...

I spent all day in the bathroom/bed vomiting. Not a pretty picture. Apparently E passed it to me and F, we were both in bed vomiting. Talk about a quick way to lose a pound, when nothing stayed in, this morning though I am feeling a little hungry so I shall go eat something.

I had a project to do this week. So as I scrambled around the grocery store to compare my 8 cereals, to see which would be a better value for the money. I even had a store manager come to me, to think I was a health inspector? LOL!

I compared : Fruity Pebbles, Frosted Flakes, Trader Joe's Pumpkin spice Granola,Cascadian Farm Organic Granola oats & honey, Cheerios, Fiber One Bran cereal, Total plus omega-3,
Total Whole grain original.


The top two cereals that I compared while shopping were Cheerios and Total whole grain original. My research shows that overall Cheerios is the top cereal though for the money. Total was lacking some major vitamins 0% vitamin A and only 15% vitamin D. I thought when I would flip over the label I would see 100% all the way across and this wasn’t the case. Total was also more expensive than some of the other cereals that I looked at. Which to me means it should pack more than the cheaper cereals, and it did for some of the vitamins and nutrients. Cheerios on the other hand provides more protein, less sugar only 1 gram in Cheerios and 5 grams of sugar in Total. The fiber was the same. Also, Cheerios still packs a punch in all of the vitamins, there was not one )% on the label. Most vitamins comes up 25%-50% in a serving. However you get more servings of Cheerios in a box which means I can stretch it out for more meals; lower cost is more effective in getting it to the majority of consumers. Cheerios even takes the nutrition label a step further and has serving sizes for children under 4 years old, which is amazing to me, as a mom of children under 4, it helps me plan out their breakfast a little better.

I decided today to try a lighter version of Broccoli Beed and I wasn't sure how it would come out with my version of the dish.

1 lb. broccoli
1 bell pepper
10 baby portobella mushrooms
8 ozs sliced lean beef
1/2 c. beef broth
2 tbsp. worchestire sauce
1 tbsp. evoo

Saute the meat first in the worchestire sauce. Add vegetables, broth and soy sauce and saute until vegetables are at the texture you prefer. Serve over brown rice. Yum!



I was happy with how this came out, unfortunately my baby was to sick to eat it to tell me if he liked it but I and F inhaled it!! Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Ion turns 30...Crikies.

Happy Birthday Ion! Your officially an old man. We went out to brazilian restaurant, and had delicious food, unfortunately I did not think to take along my camera, as I have been out of rhythm for blogging purposes since moving.

KU-unit 2

So I am finally moved into the new house. We made it alright. Now it is time for an adjustment period for all of us, I hope to find some time to begin posting regularly again with meals and kids Bento's. It is just so hard to find a routine, I am stressed over finding work in the new area, and after that is handled I can hopefully find a routine and being doing the old things, like running and preparing meals in advance. Right now it is kind of on the go with what is there. This week is the first week I feel like I have some regular old staples in my pantry and fridge!School is back in session and I will have to dedicate a post to school each week for the next 9 units, so I hope to do that with flying colors, although I have been neglectful of this post for the past month, this may be the kick to jumpstart everything for me again!

hiatus

I have a few posts to add, however with finals here, moving, packing, twins and working. I have to postpone them until we move. Be Back Soon!

June's Kick off!

Woot- I found some Bento items at Borders (thanks SHANNON)
I found a robot/alien looking one that Elijah just loved. Francesca was in love with the "baby panda & purple cats" LOL.





We also experimented with some "corndog muffins" Just your simply corn muffins with shredded carrots added to the batter and a small turkey hotdog inserted in the middle, bake according to the corn muffin packaging and enjoy!

At the zoo

We spent the day at the zoo, unfortunately I did not snap a pic of the kids bento, I always forget until it is to late!

I did make tuna biscuits for the kids to eat for lunch at the zoo. Here's what I did.
I made the tuna with miracle whip, paprika and relish.



Stir well

take a whole wheat biscuit i used the ones from a can

Roll the dough out as much as possible.

Put about one Tbsp in the center.

Fold over and seal by pressing the points of a fork on the edges.

Today marks 6 yrs, that I took the plunge. =P

I received my favorite flowers-Peony's, although Ion is not here to celebrate it with me. =(



Happy Anniversary to US!
Who would have thought that all of this came from a "I like the yankees too." LOL

unusual find in the baby section at target.

Just a quick post, while running through the baby aisle at target I found some bento like containers. I picked up a pink and a blue one which I tested out for the kids snack in class. I used one inside container for a yogurt sunday, and it leaked the juice of the frozen berries, so this is definitely not a liquid bento. I like it for other stuff though.

Nachos-seafood style. and a fastfood bento!

I found a similar recipe on Noble Pig. I however made it more my own.
I sauteed 1 cup med. shrimp and 2 cans of real crab meat. Then mixed it in a bowl with dried dill, garlic, cream cheese, paremsan cheese, and greek yogurt. Put in a loaf pan topped with cheddar and provolone cheese and then baked at 400 for about 20 mins until its bubbly. It was ok, was to creamy something was off and I am not sure what, although shrimp n nachos tasted nice,I will have do that again in a different way not creamy.





When shopping at the Japanese market yesterday, I found this bento of fried goodies. Ok I know it is not good for my weight loss, it just brought back so many memories of early college years that I couldnt help myself. I enjoyed every morsel of this great bento, much tastier than any of mine. LOL

Trip to the japanese store...treasure find =)

I was planning on taking the twins to the Aquarium Pacific, and I knew there would be a giant Japanese supermarket in hopes I would find a bento or two and save on some shipping I didnt find any masculine boxes for Elijah.


Even though he is fine with the green clover box. I have decided to order a boy box on ebay, so he can have a nice box too. Wish me luck!

I knew that I would find some other goodies, like seaweed crackers and their version of carbonated water. I found some delicious little snacks for the kids as well, I will definitely miss having this stuff when we move to New Mexico.

I found some delicious little snacks for the kids as well. I will definitely miss having this stuff when we move to New Mexico.

My cookies.

Today I realized I had a can of toasted oats, that I never got around to using. So I decided to make a recipe for cookies. Came out pretty darn tasty. The problem was I don't think I used enough oats, it was as "oatty" as I wanted them to be. However, I will remake them later this week, to re-test my recipe. It was actually quiet simple.

My cranberry/raisin oatmeal cookies:



*Flour, white, 1 cup
*Brown Sugar, .25 cup, unpacked
*Granulated Sugar, .25 cup
*butter I cant believe its not butter original, 6 tsp
*Vanilla Extract, 1 tbsp
*Baking Powder, 1 tsp
*Raisins, .75 cup
*Cranberries, dried, sweetened (craisins), 0.25 cup
*Egg, fresh, 1 large
*Oats, 1.5 cup

Whisk the wet ingredients together, then add in the dry a little at a time.
Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.

Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 20 (1 lg cookie, or 2 sm. cookies)
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 109.5
Total Fat: 3.1 g
Cholesterol: 10.6 mg
Sodium: 56.4 mg
Total Carbs: 23.2 g
Dietary Fiber: 1.7 g
Protein: 1.9 g

I finally found a good greek yogurt!

I was surfing the sparkpeople message boards and hunting for a way to enjoy the protein packed greek yogurt in a sweet form (other than using it as sour cream)I could never get use to the bitter taste, with honey in it. The flavors were nasty even the strawberry flavor..eep! So someone said that Chobani was the best one(in the U.S.). While in whole foods I found it!! So i picked up a pineapple flavor. THinking another yogurt the twins will get to eat, since they love it. I added 2 tsp of agave to sweeten it and I actually liked the whole thing!!! HOLY COW! Had little chunks of wonderful pineapples. I added some watermelon and it was yummy.

4th time trying to post these.

I had a bunch of apricots on the verge of their prime. So I wanted to try them on the pork, since the apricot preserves taste good on it. I needed to clean and slice them of course, threw them in a pot with 3 apricots I put in 3 tbsp of cooking splenda. Brought to a boil. Apricots do not take to heat well and will break down in a few minutes.


THen I topped the pork and baked at 350 for about 30 minutes.

Was a hit, I will definitely be adding this to the rotation on the nights Ion does not eat with us, as he hates "sweet meats" haha.

Something called crack.

Crackslaw of course. I ended up buying at some point a bag of shredded cabbage mix. I had no idea what to do with it but I knew I wanted it cooked. So I scoured the internet and came upon a recipe called Crackslaw. I read the rave reviews and decided I only needed to buy to some toasted sesame seed oil. OK fair enough. I was off to Trader Joe's. I come home and begin to prepare dinner.

Brown the lean ground beed-1lb
toss in the oil-2 tbsp
a bag of shredded cabbage.
salt pepper.
Looked and smelled wonderful..drum roll please.


Ok this was not a winner. The ground beef totally overpowered it. Me and the kids ate a tiny bit of the meat but ate all the veggies. The oil was great on the veggies. I think I will def try it again but no meat or some other form of meat. ANy ideas?

A quick dinner and a coffee, woot!

In a rush, after another long day with the kids, I needed to toss something together quickly. Good thing for me that I defrosted some shrimp the night before. I knew I needed veggies, diced up a small zucchini, a picked red pepper and threw in some fresh spinach to saute with the shrimp. Used some whole wheat pasta that I tossed in EVOO, black pepper and grated paremsan cheese. Delicious.




I decided to attempt to make my own iced coffee =) See if I can save a buck vs starbucks.

Instant maxwell coffee. milked in a little vanilla soy milk. Topped with 2tbsp cool whip lite and 1/2 tbsp Lite chocolate syrup, and 2 packets of sweet n low.

I was amazed at how much better I liked this as opposed to a skinny caramel latter for around the same calories and this way I got whipped topping!! I was elated.