Fit mommies and their cute babies Mar 14-20

Here's a great clean soup I made last week. I just finished it today (for breakfast!).

HAMBURGER-BARLEY SOUP
(The Big Book of Soups & Stews; Vollstedt)

1 tsp. vegetable oil (I omitted)
1 pound lean ground beef (or soy crumbles)
1 lg. yellow onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced (I used 3 or 4 -- we like garlic!)
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 can whole tomatoes, coarsely chopped with juice (I used 1 can diced)
1/2 cup pearl barley, thoroughly rinsed
4 cups beef stock or broth
1 cup water
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. dried marjoram
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. salt (omitted)
freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a Dutch oven over medium heat, warm oil. Add meat, onion, garlic, celery and carrots and cook, breaking up meat with a spoon until no longer pink, about five minutes. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, until vegetables and barley are tender, about one hour. Discard bay leaf.

Serves 6. Also suggested to make ahead and let flavors develop.
 
I made this last week too. Threw out the leftover potatoes; morphed leftover chicken into Greek wraps -- whole wheat tortillas, fresh spinach, feta cheese, chopped tomatoes, and tzatziki. Hmmmmmm!!

I don't use a rack. Just put the potatoes in the bottom of the dish, and then layer the chicken breasts on top when it's time.

Lemon-Garlic Roast Chicken
from Take Out Tonight (Weight Watchers)

1/4 C. fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 T. extra virgin olive oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced (I used 5 really huge ones)
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. marjoram
3/4 tsp. salt, divided
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
4 skinless, bone-in chicken breasts (I've made it with boneless too)
1 pound small red potatoes, quartered (I just sliced some russets)
1/2 C. water

1. Preheat oven to 425 F
2. Combine the lemon juice, 1 T. of the oil, the garlic, oregano, marjoram, 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper in a large bowl (I used a ziploc). Add the chicken, tossing well to coat and marinate 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, combine the remaining 1/2 T. oil, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper in a medium bowl. Add the potatoes and toss well to coat. Place a wire rack in the center of a large rasting pan. Arrange the potatoes around the rack and roast 20 minutes.
4. Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserve marinade. Remove the potatoes from the oven and place the chicken on the wire rack. Add the water to the reserved marinade and pour over the chicken and potatoes. Roast chicken and potatoes 20 minutes, baste with the pan juices. Return the pan to the oven and roast until the internal temperature is 170 F.

4 servings, 6 WW points per serving
 
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We had this too. These are all pretty quick to fix, nothing fancy but "clean."

Kung Pao Shrimp (Chicken in our case LOL)
from Take Out Tonight (Weight Watchers)

3/4 c low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 c sake or rice wine (I used seasoned rice vinegar and mirin)
2 Tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp chili-garlic sauce
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp dark sesame oil
2 tsp canola oil
1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 scallions, chopped
2 Tbsp minced peeled fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 c broccoli florets
1 (8oz) can bamboo shoots, drained

1. Combine broth through sesame oil in bowl, set aside.
2. Heat nonstick wok or large, deep skillet over med-high heat until a drop of water sizzles. Swirl in the canola oil, then add the shrimp. Stir-fry until just opaque in the center, about 3 minutes; transfer to plate. Add scallions, ginger, and garlic; stir fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add broccoli and bamboo shoots; stir-fry until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Add broth mixture and shrimp. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils and thickens, about 1 minute.

Served over brown rice.
 
And since a girl's gotta have fun and it IS my PMS week...these hit the spot LOL I made them bigger than 1 teaspoon (are they kidding with that size?!). I did not chill the dough before baking the first few batches; the first few batches yielded flatter cookies. So, chill the dough before baking -- for at least an hour.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
from Absolutely Chocolate (by Fine Cooking magazine)

10-3/4 oz. (1-1/3 cups) unsalted butter, cold
1-1/2 cups packed light brown-sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, cold
1 Tbs. pure vanilla extract
17 oz. (3-3/4 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour
1-1/4 tsp. table salt
1 tsp. baking soda
12 oz. semisweet chocolate chips


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arrange oven racks in the upper and middle positions of the oven. Heat the oven to 375°F.

Using a mixer fitted with a paddle, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar, starting on low speed and gradually working your way up to high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 min. once you reach high speed. Scrape the bowl and beater. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat on low until blended. Beat on high until light and fluffy, about 1 min. Scrape the bowl and beater.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Add this to the butter mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until just blended; the dough will be stiff. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Drop rounded measuring teaspoons of dough about 2 inches apart onto two ungreased baking sheets. Refrigerate any unused dough. Bake until the bottoms are golden brown, 8 to 10 min., rotating the sheets halfway through for even results. Remove the sheets from the oven, let sit for 3 to 5 min., and then transfer the cookies with a spatula to a wire rack to cool completely. Let the baking sheets cool completely before baking the remaining dough.

From Fine Cooking 56, pp. 55
February 1, 2003
 
Morning!
allison! we missed you! so glad you are back and feeling better! I start K out flat and if she wakes up I sit her up....her spitting up had gotten better now its worse than ever..grrr Poor thing..but it doesnt seem to bother her a lick. Over spring break I plan to do what I takes (stay up all night) to totally transition her. She naps fine flat. I think I willl just have to hold her upright for 30 min or so she won't spit up as much. THANK YOU for the recipes!!! Here is the pro pan recipe for ya
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup cottage cheese
6 egg whites
puree and cook like pancakes
Speaking of recipes...didnt someone post an asparagus recipe a couple weeks ago?

Melanie-wish I could win something for that recipe, but I iddnt come up with it. I found in posted here a couple years ago. I think it is a body for life recipe. What workout is on tap today?
kids up..bbs
 
Morning ladies! Whew! What a morning it has been! The sitter called early and said that her DD has the flew bug from both ends so we were scrambling for a sitter. DH worked a detail last night and needed to sleep today so my mom called into work to watch J while DH slept. Plus now grandma gets time with James today. It's a win-win situation!

Yipee Allison! Thanks for all the recipes! Glad you are feeling better! I've been getting into a funk lately too. It's usually when I can't workout though. I have a short attention span too so I decided not to do the 6 month rotation. I've found that I don't like to do the same workouts over and over. Well, except B&G... ;) I actually found a rug at Old Time Pottery. Don't know if anyone has those but LOVE that store too.

Melanie- I can't imagine what your hemis feel like. I'm so sorry. :( I hope you get to feeling better in the next few days. Hope you can get through the day at work. That's funny about the picture and the shirt. I just love that photo of him. He looks like such a big boy there. Now our kids are starting to look alike??? Maybe we spend too much time on here.... :p

Susan- How did Kara sleep last night? We need to work on getting James to sleep unswaddled. I just cherish my sleep. He does take naps that way though.

Hi Christine! Hi Priscila! I'll be back later. I'm really angry :mad: about something at work with a coworker and I need to go find one of my buddies to vent to before I punch her in the face!
 
Hi, Allison, nice to see you again! Thanks for posting those recipes!
Susan-my son LOVES those pancakes. I usually make up a big batch, freeze them, and throw one in the toaster for him. Paired with some fruit, it's a quick and healthy breakfast before day care when we're always so pressed for time.
Melanie-I'm not on anti-depressants. Luckily, Reese has been a much easier baby than Caden. I just want to talk to her a bit more about taking Reglan. I've needed to supplement from the beginning and had to do the same with Caden as well. I'm most worried about when I return to work and am only pumping during the day, since pumping isn't as effective as nursing for stimulating milk production.
Jen-that's so tough when the sitter isn't available. Our day care closed A LOT this winter due to sickness.

Reese had a really rough night, so I had to call in DH for reinforcement by 5:30 this morning. I'm not sure what's on tap for the workout today---depends on if Reese is feeling any better. I'd LIKE to do P90x lifting and then a 15-20min run.

Hope everyone has a good monday!
 
Hi
K finally went down for a nap. I just got done with disk 7. I am loving it!
Jen-K did fair last night. 9-11..then til 4 then til 7:30.
Lisa-so sorry Reese had a rough night! Hope you get your workout in!
Hi Mel, Chirs, Pris, Alli
K is up and talking..bb
Oh so far meals are
clementine, strawberries and pro pancake
kashi go lean/banana
I am making Allison's beef barely soup today..sounds yummy!
 
Susan- So do the upper body workouts for Meso 1 vary just a little bit from week to week? I noticed that in Disc 4 she had some different exercises like the barbell curls with the band. Ooh! I LOVED those! I wasn't sure that I was lovin legs when I did them on Friday but when I woke up this AM and STILL had DOMS, I guess it is doing its job! :D

Lisa- It's helps to have DH for back up isn't it? Hope you got a workout in!

Well I bought some small bars (to use as dumbbells) to put the barbells on to use while I wait on the fitness warehouse to call whenever they get in some used hex weights. I figured I could just use the barbell ones for now. We have some but we have clips that slide on and the new ones have the spinny end thing which seems a little more secure to me.

Tonight is cardio so I will try to run. Hopefully grandma will stay for a little bit so I can.... I'll tell ya, I look forward to my STS workout now. I like it THAT much! :D
 
Oh and eats are:
B: Egg beaters, eng muff, coffee, banana
S: plain oatmeal with bro sugar, cinn, and a few walnuts
L: white bean chicken chili (approx 1 cup) and small salad
S: ?
D: Probably the spaghetti/veggie casserole

And lots of water!
 
Is Christmas here!! I got my package from Melanie! You are the best!!!!

BB Kara is wanting to go to sleep and not happy .brb
 
Ok..Kara is zonked. She really does (knock on wood) go down easy for naps and bedtime...hope it continues
I am sooo excited to watch the product of OC! You went out of your way for us Melanie!

Jen-yes the ub workouts vary..not a lot..but each is a little different so far. The bow and arrow is a new move for me..I like it! I am still not loving the paper plates though..maybe my plates are too cheap..they don't slide that well. And whats with all the pushups??? I am actually starting to like pushups now! I can definelty tell a difference in my arms just after 2 weeks.

Weather is awesome here..sunny and 70! Dh has vowed to walk with me after work each evening! only excerise he gets in yard work etc. He wants to lose about 15 lbs.

Waves to everyone. K is already stirring and I have done nothing but fold clothes. bb
 
Real quick, having a hairy day over here! Susan, as much as I cannot stand amy bento, she recommends using a kitchen towel to slide on instead of paper plates, could you do that?
Allison- so sorry you are in a funk but glad that you are back! I am in my funk right now.
Jen- saw your FB entry, hope nobody got a black eye at work!
Malnie- Hope you are healing.
Lisa- I had a rough night with John too. He was squirmy and kept waking hismself up farting. Long night.
I had a crappy run. Hoping to get in a, upper body strength workout today.
DH is upset because he feels fat. So I told him to stop bitchign about it and come home 30 minutes early and get his butt in gear. He said he had work to do and I told him that I doubted that the world of finance would come crumbling down because he left early to take care of himself! So, we will see. HE is coming home today adn will go for a run or do Cathe Hiit. I am goign to make a schedule for him adn would like him to start STS. he lost a lot of weight last year when we did Cathe together and ran. He complained that I should cook healthier and I pointed out that I am in size 26 jeans, so I think out intake is okay. ANyhow, I want him to feel better. So, salad tongiht. MAybe the kung pao from allison!
Off to eat black beans. Mmmm. Back away later!
Please make my children sleep.
And WTH? My scale was up four pounds this mornign? Damn cake.
 
Woo hoo! It's Christmas for me too! Grandma told me there is a package at home for me. CLX will have to wait though...I still love STS too much to stop!

Susan- I really loved the bow and arrow move too! I really felt it in my rear delts! I am sore today but not too sore that I can't function. I do my w/o's on those rubber mats (DH put those down in the whole workout room instead of tile) and my plates don't slide well either. Will have to try Christine's trick with the kitchen towel. I also did not like pushups but I notice a difference in my arms too! I am still on my knees but I feel like I am improving on my form. Can you do those boot camp ones? I just do reg ones for those.

Christine- I am better now thanks. We are a team here at work (well the three of us are). My boss hired some chick that is just out for herself and I can't stand it. It's really hard to explain without writing a novel but basically we would not be sad if she quit coming to work. Sorry about your hairy day. Hope it gets better and you get a run in. Ya know, 6 years ago my DH told me I had a wrinkly butt and that is what kick started my fitness obsession. Every time he complains about some new fitness equipment I buy, I remind him that he created this. :p I agree, stop complaining and do something about it! :D I think my DH would like STS but he is into P90X right now. At least he's lifting weights. My DH is thin and likes to run but I am trying to get him to lift heavier to add more mass. But will he listen to his wife??? Noooo! :p
 
Jen- I hear you on the work thing, I remember those days. Sometimes I would rather be a toddler wrangler than poressionally politically correct!
What is it with the hubbys and never listenting? I know that three weeks from now he will thank me. Last year the same thing happened, and after a month or so, he finally said I was right. He used to make fun of me doing step and all my DVDs. Next thing I know, he is doing drill max. I know he would love STS, but he hates when I am right. Oh well. I know it is bugging him. We were snuggling yesterday adn he felt my abs and asked when I got those. Huh? I made those you fool, with sweat and hard work! I am glad he will come home and workout tonight.
Off to lift. ChaLean is home! I missed her! Enjoy! ANd it is raining cardio here thanks to some surprises that came in my package. Melanie, I love it! I am frothing at the mouth to do them. I just gave Jimmy a DVD to watch. Here i go! Now, JOhn needs to stay asleep. Hmmm.
 
Christine- I am not good at being professionally politically correct. That is why I had to walk out of the bldg today so I didnt punch her. I'm not always the great communicator..... I think that is it. DH hates it when I am right. It's funny because now I just arm him with all the information and let him figure it out for himself. Then he will come to me and say "REmember when you told me about this?" and then ask more questions. We wouldn't have a workout room if it wasn't for me letting him think it was HIS idea! :eek: Yay! Hope you get your workout in! After the day I have had, I can't wait to run! Far away from this place....
 
Hi
K didnt sleep long today..just 30 min ...oh well..maybe we'll have an early night!
Jen-I think I will do meso1 2 times..then start C..and I do the bootcamp pu's regular too lol.
Christine-hope John took a good nap for ya. I workout on carpet..so the towel, while a great idea, wouldnt work for me.
wormy baby.bb
 

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Christine-good luck with DH and his weight. Mine complains about his too sometimes...but doesn't work out anymore, saying he doesn't have time. If I can make time, he can! I figure I can complain about my weight bcause at least I'm trying to do something about it...oh, and then there's something about giving birth twice in 17 months! anyway..
Jen-sorry about your lady at the office. I'm looking forward to working outside of the house again in 3 weeks but not the crap that goes with it.
susan-not much for naps here either.she maybe closed her eyes twice for 15min or so.

what a crappy day. I guess crap is my word of the day since I seei just used it above. reese has turned on me. she's feisty, won't sleep, and is super squirmy when I try to nurse her or hold her. she's been gassy, so I hope that's the reason for her booby boycott. Otherwise, it could be because she is getting too used to her bottle nipple, though I do use a collapsable slow flow. The only way she will get close to falling asleep is if I hold her while I bounce on the stability ball. I so hope Dr. Weisbluth is right that fussiness peaks at 6 weeks and then diminishes. I don't know how I survived my son's first week's...he was 10x worse all day, every day.

ok, enough of my pity party..on to something positive. I ran 15 min and lifted to P90x. I ate well, but of course the scale and the chub on me are being PIAs and not budging.
 
THANK YOU, MELANIE! I was happy to see the mailman at my door today :)

Jen and Susan, another one who is appreciating what a push-up can do (though I still do not like them. At all.). Jen, when she does some of the fancy ones, I just do regular ones or hold a plank the whole time. Something is better than nothing, right? LOL I never knew you could do so much with a band. I like the "leg blast bonus" on the legs DVDs, too.

Awww, cute pics, Susan! What about trying the disposable plastic plates, or the foam ones, instead of paper? Hope you like the soup. I'm making another pot of it right now. I picked up that new Rocco cookbook. Hope to make the "potato" soup this week, too (he uses cauliflower).

Christine, sorry your day is so crappy. I hope your week is better. So, did DH come home and workout? I didn't see anything regarding a collapse in financial markets when I watched the 6PM news ;) My DH is the same way, will complain but not really do anything about it. He played ice hockey in high school and college, and still enjoys pick up leagues sometimes. But he's not consistent with it. He loses 5 lbs in one game. And keeps it off. NOT FAIR!

Lisa, I forgot to mention something about formula. The NICU nurses told me that the most important ingredient is iron. Soooo, we are using the BJ's brand instead of Enfamil this time. Muuuuuuch cheaper. Don't know if you belong to BJ's or Costco; both have their own formula, with iron levels on par with Enfamil and Similac. Sorry to hear about Reese's fussiness. My daughter was an easy baby. Drew was the complete opposite. I was absolutely miserable the first few months -- all he did was cry. Always wanted to be held (or would cry). Wanted to eat every 2.5 hours (formula-fed, so we were thrown by that). Fussy for a few hours. Didn't want to nap. Ever. We finally started putting him to sleep in his car seat, which we put on top of his vibrating seat. Victory! I hope you find something that works for you :( All I can say is, I knew I was done having kids before he was born. But after *that*, there is NO doubt in my mind LOL

Jen, I swear -- all men need for the idea to be theirs LOL (I wonder what men have discovered to be the universal truths of women LOL.) Augh, your coworker sounds like a nightmare.

It took me three tries today, but I finally finished Meso 1, Week 2, Legs (but it's the end of my fourth week). So, finally starting Week 3 tomorrow! I also did some ab work. That's my most hated part right now, yet I do not regularly do ab work. Duh, Allison!
 
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