Monday, April 28, 2014

Sun-dried Tomato, Mushroom and Artichoke Creamy Pasta

I love this yummy recipe! I feel like you can do anything you want with this, the sauce itself is to die for, reheats well throughout the week.

Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 package of baby bellas, quartered
  • 2 tsp of pre-cut garlic in the jar
  • 4 oz of chopped sundried tomatoes
  • 2 cups of Vegetable broth
  • 1 can of artichokes
  • 1/2 sweet onion diced
  • 1 tsp of red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp of Herbs de Provance
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup half and half
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 
  • 1 package of linguini
  • Corn Starch as needed
Instructions
  1. Heat olive oil on medium-high heat, add onions and garlic - and saute until onions are translucent.
  2. Add the quartered mushrooms and artichokes towards the end of saute.
  3. Heat the 2 cups of vegetable broth in a separate pan. Once heated add the broth to the skillet - continue to cook the vegetables in the vegetable broth on medium heat until the mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes absorb some of the broth and the broth reduces. Add half and half, heavy cream and bring to boil just for a short moment. Add Parmesan cheese and cook the sauce, stirring, for a couple of minutes, on low-medium heat until the cheese melts.
  4. Add Corn Starch to thicken sauce slightly. Whisk continuously until dissolved.
  5. Keep whisking and add red pepper flakes, Herbs de Provance - keep whisking.
  6. Cook linguini al dente according to the package instruction.
  7. Drain and than add to the sauce and toss with tongs.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

New Pizza Recipe!!

My son's top request is pizza and beets! Today we tried a new recipe.

Pesto, Sausage and Red Pepper Pizza!

Use your favorite dough!

Pan cook or grill 1 Basil n Garlic Chicken Sausage (Whole Foods)

Pre sauté red peppers in olive oil until al dente.

Once your stone is ready:

- Spread pesto on bottom layer of dough
- Place cooked chicken sausage throughout pizza
- Disburse red peppers on pizza
- add mozzarella 
- add Parmesan 

Once finished cooking add fresh spinach and drizzle with good balsamic (the thicker version)

Enjoy!

Happy Family Day!!!

Two years ago today we were in Korea and attending the Prayer Ceremony and packing to bring Cy back to the US and in our lives forever. I remember like it was yesterday. I feel lucky, during our time we met some amazing families while we were there that were so supportive and helped make the process smooth. In between the joy I feel that I made life long friends. We are so blessed everyday that Cy is our son and he is the funnest kid!

Rochester, MN over Christmas! Loving the Bounce houses!
2013, I love this picture with his Bear.

First week home from Korea!


CY'S LOVES:
Bear! He received it as a gift from his Foster family on his 100 day celebration in Korea and Bear is his right hand buddy! We don't leave home without i!
Tea
Music
Carrots (now that Elsa, from Frozen, has shown him the way)
Brussel Sprouts
Daddy's sauteed Collard Greens and Kale
Trains
Chicken
Noodles
Lightning McQueen and Mater Matchbox cars
Oriental Flavored Ramen
Batman
TV's -> Pretty much any Disney movie from Faries to the Incredibles!
Loves wearing jeans 24/7
Chocolate!!!! 
Current Activities: Soccer and Dance
Friends: Yosh, Atikus, Cousin Owen, Helena and Niah (neighbors), Jackson, Eddison
 School: Primrose in Fort Collins, CO

TRIPS

In the first two years we have traveled a lot with Cy. 
California to visit family
Florida for Aunt Jill and Uncle Eric's wedding
Minnesota to visit Grandma and Grandpa Nelson
Hawaii with Grandma Irene
Weekend in Beaver Creek, CO

I look forward to many more local and a far adventures with our family! 



Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Looking Back

Recently a good friend of mine shared this post on Facebook that someone had written about waiting for adoption. It literally brought back so many memories. Waiting for my son to come home was the hardest thing in my life, at this time, to deal with.

Waiting Adoptive Moms
One exert from the article was especially close to home:
She isn’t sure they’re coming home.
This is the part of the adoption process that makes you want to crawl under your bed and not come out until it’s safe again. This is the part that tears you soul in two. This is the part that you wake up in the morning remembering and going to bed at night fearing. Because there are no guarantees. And that’s hard. No, not hard. It’s gut-wrenching. It’s not just the fear that your child might die before having a family, it’s that this child you love with every ounce of your being might grow up in an orphanage, on the streets, or worse.

I don't live life with many regrets. However, I do regret how little time I spent at home with my son when we first came home. I only had 4 weeks. Looking back I really should have taken off 2 to 3 months. I know going forward if I adopt again that will be the case and the consequences of taking that time off I am completely ready to deal with and the outlook.

For anyone adopting this is a fantastic read.  While it was very difficult I don't regret anything as I have the most amazing son who I love more than myself.  However, I don't know if I was prepared for the reality of the wait, especially the political mess we endured. Looking back it would have been helpful to probably talk with someone professional as while friends are good I am not sure it helped.


Thursday, August 1, 2013

Ghetto Sangria!

My family and I recently went to Rockygrass over the weekend in Lyons and discovered something amazing....ghetto sangria! Seriously this stuff is sooooo good!

Grab your Boxed Wine (always a necessity camping). I am a fan of Bota Box!
Grab a six pack of San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa!!! It has to be! Watch out not to get the orange kind!
Then add ice and mix about half and half or to taste! So yummy!

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Triathlon Momma!

I am blogging my training journey for my 2nd Triathlon as working full time, raising a toddler, quality time with friends and family and allowing my husband time to workout too it makes it hard with squeezing in training. One thing I feel fortunate for is a lot of my friends compete and scheduling time with them usually involves swimming, biking or running!  I need to get comfortable with putting my son in gym daycare as it is there and an hour a part will do us both good I am sure on the weekends! I am definitely a happier momma when I can workout.

I am training for the Iron Girl Triathlon August 24th and every training program I see requires you to train 6 days a week. That is impossible. I work 50+ hours a week, have a toddler and a husband who likes to exercise and I kind of like to also spend quality time with my family. I have started my first week and here is what I have scheduled. I am hoping if my less than 6 day a week routine (this week is a good week) is successful for me it might help someone else down the road. My swim coach told me that it is proving better to do short 10 minute workouts broken up than 30 minutes. Do what you can, when you can. Why? He stated it was because your heart rate is jump starting again.

WEEK ONE:

Monday - Holiday
Tuesday - Master Swim, 2000m
Wednesday - Husbands gym day...off.
Thursday - Core workout
Friday - Run
Saturday - Bike 15 miles minimum
Sunday - Swim


Monday, May 6, 2013

Thai Lettuce Wraps

I had a crazy day, make that crazy few months at work and I am literally at 10-14 hours a day...today being especially long. I had to get in a little ride for training for my triathlon (my first 30 minute break of the day) and my husband made this wonderful meal. Now I went shopping and put the recipe in front of him but he did it! So delish! I cannot even tell you and my husband enjoyed it too! However, tempeh is such an easy way to convert any man to eating no meat as it totally has similar texture and fills you up!  
 
 
Sauce
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 Tbs. low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 Tbs. rice vinegar
  • ½ tsp. light brown sugar
Filling
  • 2 8-oz. pkg. plain tempeh, broken into chunks
  • 1 Tbs. vegetable oil
  • 2 Tbs. minced fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
  • 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh mint
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • 2 Tbs. chopped shallots
  • 1 Tbs. low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 Tbs. rice vinegar
  • 2 tsp. sugar
  • 1 tsp. chile sauce, such as sriracha
  • ¼ tsp. light brown sugar
Toppings and Wraps
  • 1 red pepper sliced
  • 2 cups bean sprouts
  • 1 cucumber, peeled into thin strips
  • 1 large carrot, shredded
  • Fresh mint, cilantro, and basil
  • 18 whole large lettuce leaves
  • Add jicama for some crunch effect!
  • Serve with lime wedges and sriracha chile sauce.
1. To make Sauce: whisk together all ingredients in small bowl.
2. To make Filling: Pulse tempeh in food processor until coarsely crumbled. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add ginger and garlic, and sauté 1 minute. Add tempeh and broth, cover, and cook 
5 minutes. Uncover, increase heat to medium-high, and cook 10 minutes, or until liquid has evaporated. Stir in remaining ingredients.
3. Mound vegetables, herbs, and tempeh mixture on platter. Let diners fill lettuce leaves with Filling and Toppings.


I changed a few of the toppings from this delish recipe! Vegetarian Times, Thai Lettuce Wraps