Little Bites

Once we had introduced our daughter to the basic foods, she pretty much ate what we ate at the table. Of course, there are a few things we are still waiting to give her {peanuts, tree nuts, chocolate, and seafood}. But our motto is "Everything in moderation". Charlie loves veggies and fruit {of course}, yogurt and cheese, loves pasta {atta girl!}, proteins, beans, etc.

Mind you, she can have her moments of refusal. I expect it, given her age... but for the most part she is a fantastic eater. I hope this will continue throughout her childhood years, wouldn't that be nice!

Our typical breakfast is a grain of some sort {oatmeal, Cheerios, or a waffle}, fruit,  yogurt, and milk. Depending on our mood I'll make eggs too, and if the mister is cooking breakfast there will be bacon involved.

Lunches will depend on the leftover status. If there are no leftovers, I serve her lunch in an ala carte manner {grain, dairy, fruit/veg, meat}. She hasn't come to fully appreciate sandwiches yet.

Today, she had turkey, carrot sticks, apple sticks, oranges, whole wheat tortilla, and a honey graham cracker. Not a crumb was left.

Month Long Menu Plan

Here's my meal list for the next 30 days, 25 meals with 5 nights of leftover "padding" ... I'm sure I'll stretch the meals out longer. Last time I planned out a month's worth of meals it stretched 15 days further! I was pretty impressed. This time I'll be utilizing a new cookbook that I'll be reviewing in the coming weeks, Secrets of a Skinny Chef by Jennifer Iserloh. I've already added post-its to the recipes I want to try first!

Recipes from the Secrets of a Skinny Chef will be noted with an asterisk -- In no particular order, here is our menu plan.

1. Tantalizing Turkey Tacos with Star Anise **
2. Mock Crab Cakes with Zucchini and Tuna **
3. Pork Rice
4. Lemon Pasta
5. Chicken Enchilada Casserole
6. Garlicky Black Bean Soup **
7. Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Milk **
8. Mac and Cheese with Shredded Chicken and Cauliflower **
9. Pork Lo Mein, Hold the Grease **
10. Sesame Chicken Hold the Deep-Fried Breading **
11. Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sammies
12. Chicken Nacho Bake
13. Stuffed Chicken Parmesan **
14. Minestrone Soup and Flax Bread Crostini
15. Buffalo Chicken Tenders on Twice Baked Potatoes
16. Chicken Caesar Pizza
17. Breakfast for Dinner {B4D} -Southwestern Frittata with Spicy Corn Salsa **
18. Chipotle Chicken Chili
19. Chicken and Rice Hot Pot **
20. B4D - Maple Apple Waffles **
21. Corn Chowder
22. Apple Butter Pork Chops
23. B4D - Grits, Eggs, and Sausage
24. Garlic Chicken Stir Fry
25. Chicken Pasta Bake

Flirty Aprons Coupon Code

Flirty Aprons has extended their 30% off coupon code.

30Coupon

Simply enter the above code in the coupon code section while checking out.It now expires Thursday March 4th at midnight.

I will receive an apron of my choosing as a thank you for spreading the word about this Flirty Aprons coupon code. You can read more about this sort of thing  in my Acknowledgment Policy.

Winner

Flirty Aprons Giveaway :: Out of 488 entries ::

Congrats! Please check your email {even spam folder} and claim your prize within 48 hours. CLAIMED Thanks to those who entered. Be sure to take advantage of the discount code to receive 30% off your Flirty Aprons order :: 


30Coupon


Code expires SUNDAY at midnight.

Flaxseed Bread

One thing I will never get tired of hearing: "This is the best ____ ever." When those words come out of the mister's mouth, I smile. Maybe even blush. This week I made a plain Flaxseed Bread that is off the charts delicious. And I think now I will be expected to make it once a week, from here on out. I wonder if our Costco carries Flax seed?

Flirty Aprons Contest

Here's a contest that I think my readers will be interested in. Hosted by Flirty Aprons; one reader will win a free apron, runners up will get 50% and 25% off an apron of their choice. 


Here's the skinny ::

CONTENT CONTEST!!!! Go to Flirty Aprons website and take a look at the resource section located at the bottom of the page. Then submit a paragraph or two that could be used in our new resource section titled Bridal Shower Gifts. The best/longest submission will receive a FREE FLIRTY APRON and the runners up  50% and 25% off ...respectively. All submissions can be sent to mail@flirtyaprons.com. Ends February 28th!

Good luck! 


You must enter through the appropriate channels, I am merely spreading the word about this contest.

Banana Raisin Flax Bread

Snafood :: The Death Squash Story

Not too long ago I had my first experience prepping butternut squash. I carefully cut two large squash into three sections, peeled them scooped out the seeds and innards, and began to cut the squash into manageable cubes to make soup. It wasn't long before I noticed my finger pads and thumb pad on my left hand tingling. I ignored it and continued cutting.

{image source}

I finished prepping one squash and moved onto the second, this was around the time I noticed a clear sap oozing out of the squash where I had cut it into three sections. After finishing prepping all the squash I washed my hands in the hopes to calm the tingling, which had turned into numbness. While washing my hands, I noticed my left hand's fingertips were orange in color and skin was peeling away. This is where I started to panic a little. The right hand was fine, since it was holding the knife and not handling the squash. No matter how much I washed my hands the peeling wouldn't stop, nor the tingles/numbness.

With the help of a few online friends I was able to find out that this dermitlogical reaction to squash is fairly common. I'd never heard of it before, but I was glad to know that it wasn't something terribly alarming afterall. The tingling went away after about 8 hours and my hand finally felt normal again. But what a learning experience!

Deep orange colored squashes and pumpkin contain many enzymes that react on the skin in much the same manner as a glycolic acid chemical peel. In fact, there are many, many pumpkin facial peels presently on the market. 

{source}

I don't think I'll be signing up for a squash facial anytime soon. But I have made "Death Squash" Soup since this happened - wearing food service gloves...

Chocolate Chip Macadamia Coconut Cookie Bars

This is a delicious treat, easy to make, but will still have your friends and family asking for more. I served these for dessert on Saturday night and they were a big hit with everyone! Taking some help from the store by using a dry cookie mix cuts down time, allowing you to make these in a pinch for company stopping by.