I have been slacking in the meal prepping department for Parks. I was so on my game at the beginning of the solid food stage and then he got really mobile and I found it super hard to find the time to go pee, let alone fix his homemade meals. Since we entered the can't sit still stage, I won't lie...there has been a hot dog or two thrown into the mix and maybe some mac and cheese...because some days I just need to get food in a hungry and fussy baby's belly and I need fast and easy. Yesterday however, I meal prepped for Parks because my mama guilt of not getting as many nutrients in him each day as possible was weighing heavy on me! Originally I made this dish for just him, and then after tasting the lentils I decided we would be sharing these lentils for a healthy lunch option all week!
Can someone please explain to me how it is almost July and how I am going to have a 9 month old baby? Where has the time gone? This year is flying by entirely too fast for me and I need it to slow down. We've had a lot going on the past month with Parks having surgery among other things and one thing that has been a lifesaver for me is easy dinners! I have been making lots of 30 minute meals lately because I just don't have time for much else! I am sure you can relate with kids home from school, vacations, and all of the other busyness that comes with summer. The days are disappearing and dinner time rolls around without any warning leaving your hungry family staring at you wondering what will be on the menu for the night. My Greek chicken pasta salad is going to be one of your new favorite easy meals that will fill up your "people" while keeping it somewhat healthy at the same time!
Tropical Storm Bill delivered us heavy rains all week long. Today is the first day since Sunday that there isn't a 100% chance of rain all day. It has been gloomy and wet and I am in need of a dose of sunshine and a long walk outside asap! Even though the rain has stopped it doesn't look like the sun is going to make it's appearance just yet. Whon whon...so in the mean time, I will just be over here drinking my watermelon, coconut, and lime smoothie pretending that I am somewhere outside on a beautiful day!
Y'all already know that one of my top pregnancy cravings lately has been watermelon. We go through at least two a week because I can't stop my hands from grabbing a few pieces every time the fridge door opens. I've been eating it plain, with salt, in salads (like my watermelon, cucumber, and mint salad), and lately my new favorite is putting watermelon in my smoothies!
Happy Monday guys! How was your weekend? My in-laws came to visit and we boiled crawfish, went to a Houston Astros game, and got caught in a rain storm! It was a great weekend spent with family and it definitely went by too quickly, as weekends usually do! It's been raining here for the past week off and on (monsoon style) and today the sun is finally out and it looks like it's here to stay making Monday a little brighter! And if it isn't sunny where you are, I have something else that will make your Monday a little sunnier! My tomato jam BLT's are dabomb.com and you guys are going to flip out when you take a bite of this flavor loaded sandwich!
Y'all know I love my BLT's and I am always looking for new ways to dress them up to make them feel extra special.
I am finally cooking in my kitchen again and I gotta tell you, I felt a little rusty for a few days. I had to get my mojo back, including getting used to a new kitchen, remembering where I put everything, and figuring out the new cook times with this oven since it cooks completely differently than my last one. This week I'm getting my stride back it seems and I am so glad to be settled and feeling somewhat normal again. After spending two week eating out and surviving off of whatever Canean and I could find to eat (including fulfilling my pregnancy cravings), we decided this week we were both going to get back to our healthy lifestyles and that includes working out and eating right. My whole wheat pasta with peas and radishes is the perfect light lunch or dinner side that is healthy and full of flavor.
Prepping for the week is the only way to ensure you will be successful to stay on track..at least for me it's that way. And one of my most favorite tricks is to make a dish that I can eat on for a few days. It's ready to eat, so it doesn't give me time to choose a not so healthy option instead. This pasta salad is the perfect recipe to make in advance because it can be eaten at room temperature or right out of the fridge.
It's still raining. Yeah, we are on week two of dreary weather and this gal is overrr it. The backyard is muddy, I have to force myself to be productive, and the only thing that sounds good is a nap and foods that I shouldn't be eating. So in an effort to brighten up this Tuesday I made a colorful and healthy salad that will hopefully turn my rainy day blues around and will keep me full of energy all week long! My apricot, arugula, and quinoa salad with a cumin vinaigrette is just the salad to do the trick! It's gorgeous, full of flavor, and so good for you too!
Quinoa has been around for a while now, and if you aren't using it yet, today is the day to start. It's packed with protein, minerals, and vitamins and is definitely a grain that should be added into your diet! Perfect as a side, or mixed into a salad, I love it just about any way I can get it!
