Da Bears Menu

Last Monday my husband and I hosted 15 of our friends for a night of da Bears and chili.  Since one of my friends is pregnant, another is breastfeeding, and another can't eat pork, I made two sets of chili so no one would go hungry. Here's what was served:

7 Layer Dip (by the Pioneer Woman) to start:

Giada's Chicken Chili: 

Beef and Chorizo Chili: 

***I substitute ground round for stew meat

Mac N' Cheese with Pancetta: a true crowd pleaser

(I add a few dashes of nutmeg)

Ina's Corn Muffins: equally delicious

(I add a 1/2 cup of drained sweet yellow corn to the batter)

Dessert: 

Sweet Mandy B's Cupcakes:

Lucky for me, the Bears won and the food was a hit so it was a good night had by all.  

 PC: Pioneerwoman, browniebites, green local living, bon appetit, food network, formerms

I'll have what she's having

Although I haven't been that active in the kitchen, I did try this Eggplant marinara recipe and just lo, lo, looovvved it.  It's perfect as a light appetizer or small meal.  

P.S I used store-bought naan and it was delish

PC: Bon Appetit

Baby Food 101

Being a new Mom is definitely the greatest challenge I have ever faced.  What shocks me most is how little doctors advise you on pretty much everything.  Like, how much food should I be giving my baby? And when? What kind of schedule should I adapt? What foods should I start with? Just to name a few.

After hearing that "food is not a science" from my Pediatrician, I decided to dive right in and learn from trial and error. 

I started with jarred carrots since the one thing my doctor did advise was to buy it jarred since carrots can contain nitrates in some parts of the country.  Note: other foods to avoid making homemade: beets and spinach. 

The second food I tried was pears and my boys absolutely loved them.   If all goes well with digestion I'll definitely be adding it to their oatmeal in the morning. 

Here's how to make pear baby food:

1) Buy 4-5 ripe pears (organic if possible)

2) Wash, peel, core, and chop

3) Add to a small pan over medium heat (that's right you do not need to add any liquid to cook them, the pears' liquid does the steaming). COVER

4) Cook over medium heat for 4-6 minutes.  

5) Strain the pears and reserve the liquid if needed

6) Add to a hand blender or Babycook and puree. If it's thick, add some of the pear juice.

7) Serve in containers lukewarm or room temperature

8) Store or freeze leftovers (refrigerated food can last 2-3 days and frozen food can last 5-6 weeks.

Makes: 6 2-oz portions

*Dont forget, while introducing a new food, be sure to do it for 3 consecutive days before moving on to another one. You need to make sure that your baby can tolerate it and isn't allergic. And once your baby's spoon touches the portion it cannot be saved so plan accordingly. 

Here's a list of items I'm using to make baby food:

1) Babycook: steamer, blender, defroster, and warmer in one

2) Storage 

OXO Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Storage Containers

Beaba Multiportions:

-freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe 

Fresh baby food storage trays:

3) Utensils:

I love Nuk soft bite spoons:

PC: Videojug, Diapers.com

Hats off!

Say hello to my little friend(s) purchased from my favorite store Twinkle Twinkle Little One.  They're perfect to battle the elements and complement your already adorable baby.  

They come in female versions as well so check them out!  

PC: Twinkle Twinkle Little One

Fall Outerwear Basics

And I'm back...I sincerely apologize for my blogging hiatus.  Shortly after my last post I went on strict bed rest and got gestational diabetes, so food became my job rather than greatest source of enjoyment.  Luckily my husband learned a few of my recipes in the kitchen and after three months of laying low (horizontal) my twins, Jack and Wyatt were born full-term, large, and healthy.  Gaining 60 lbs will do it every time. :)

The greatest part of having gestational diabetes is that since you really can't eat anything good, the weight is mostly fluid, so I lost almost all of it in 2 weeks.  I have to admit, watching the scale change 5-10 pounds from one day to the next is pretty awesome.  It's totally worth not eating carbs for three months and forcing protein down your throat to curb your hunger. 

Please feel free to email me if you need gestational diabetes food ideas.  

Since I don't really have food on the mind, I've decided to share my latest passion-boys clothes.  Since I'm mildly obsessed with dressing my boys and having the right clothes for every occasion, here are the basics my twins will be rocking this Fall (mostly in our apartment but who's counting?).

Fall Jackets from Zara:

Boys North Face Jackets

Uggs Bixbee Slippers

Baby Uggs:

Stay Tuned for more baby gear!

PC: Zara, North Face, Ugg Australia

So Smooth

Pregnancy brings on all kinds of cravings like two of my favorites, ice cream and fruit.  Since a daily ice cream can't be good for my non-existent waistline, I found the perfect solution to get my fix: Yoplait's Frozen Smoothie, available in several delicious flavors like strawberry banana.  Located in the freezer section of most markets, all you need to add is milk which makes it a great source of calcium.  And, when I'm extra hungry, I add a small scoop of almond flour and it tastes even more like a milkshake (which is the entire point of the snack).  

Here's the almond flour I use:

Enjoy!

PC: Yoplait, Amazon

Happily Ever After

Cheese Plate (for two) with Heart-Shaped Figs:

(Cut the figs in half and shape into hearts)

Beet-heart Salad:

Filet Mignon with Herb-and-Cheese Potatoes

OR

Rack of Lamb with Herb Crust

Chocolate Fondue (include your favorite dippers):

If you prefer milk chocolate (rather than bittersweet chocolate) try this sauce from Betty Crocker

Can't celebrate on Monday? Surprise your loved one with Breakfast in Bed over the weekend:

Classic French Toast:

OR

Heart-Shaped Eggs and Toast

PC: Martha Stewart

Edible Snowmen

Get them while they're ... cold!

Learn how to make them here.

PC: The Family Kitchen, Babble 

Tupperware to love

If you're an avid baker and enjoy being part of potlucks and parties, be sure to invest in one of these nifty covered baking pans.  They can be used to bake, serve, and  store your goodies and best of all, the snap-on lid preserves freshness.  Au revoir aluminum foil.

Covered Aluminum Cookie Sheet

Covered Muffin Pan

Covered Aluminum Brownie & Cake Pan

PC: Williams-Sonoma

Spaghetti and Spicy Turkey Meat Sauce

I think everyone at some point or other has made spaghetti with meat sauce. It's easy, comforting, and a staple in most homes.  After trying dozens of recipes, I finally found one that I love. It has the perfect amount of heat and flavor that turkey meat usually lacks, and as Rachel Ray promises can be prepared in 30 minutes or less.    

Spaghetti and Spicy Turkey Meat Sauce

-Rachel Ray

Serves: 4

1 pound whole wheat spaghetti

2 tbsp EVOO

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 pound lean ground turkey

salt/black pepper

One 28 oz can San Marzano Crushed Tomatoes (or you can use diced tomatoes)

1 tsp crushed red pepper

1/4 cup chopped parsley (I used about 1/2 tsp dried parsley)

I also added a dash of oregano

2 tbsp grated parmesan, plus more for serving

In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente; drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking water.  Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat; add the onion and cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Increase the heat to medium-high, crumble in the turkey, season with salt and black pepper and cook until the turkey is just no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 15 minutes. Stir in the parsley and cheese. Toss the pasta with the sauce and 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water, adding more water to thin the consistency, if desired. Serve immediately with more cheese.

 PC: Food Network

Superbowl 2011

Easy Take Along Appetizers:

7 Layer Dip:

Reuben Dip with Rye:

Homemade Buffalo Wings with Blue Cheese Dressing

Salads (believe it or not people appreciate a nice salad)

Ina's Chinese Chicken Salad

-I add half a head of chopped iceberg lettuce, half a head of chopped napa cabbage, & Chinese noodles

Salad on a Stick

Desserts:

Outrageous Brownies:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars

S'mores Bars: (What would be a Superbowl party without them)?

Recipe for S'mores Bars

Servings: 12

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/3 cups flour

4 ½ sheets crumbled graham crackers (broken into small chunks)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

5 (1.5 ounce) milk chocolate candy bars (I use Hershey's)

3 cups miniature marshmallows

Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease an 8 inch square baking pan. Beat butter and sugar together until well blended in a large bowl. Add egg and vanilla; beat well.

In another bowl stir together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture, beating until blended. Press half the dough into the prepared pan. Bake 15 minutes.

Unwrap chocolate bars; arrange over baked layer. They may not quite all fit, you may be forced to eat a couple pieces. Sprinkle with marshmallows. Scatter remaining dough over the marshmallows, forming a top layer.

Bake 10- 15 minutes or until just lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting.

PC: IVillage, Strawman3125, Martha Stewart, Stockfood, Ina Garten, BakeorBreak, Baking Bites



Rainbow Bright Tutorial

Tools Needed:

Serrated floral knife, pruners/garden clippers, 20-24 gauge floral wire, paper scissors, and 2 6" square glass vases

Flowers: Pink Gerbera Daisies, Dark Pink Roses, Red Pixie Carnations, Orange Tulips, Yellow Ranunculus, Yellow Mums, Kermit Poms, Bear Grass, Blue Hydrangeas, and Purple Liatris.

A few tips from the florist:

Keep the flowers in cold water until you are ready to use them. Strip the stems of excess foliage. Secure smaller bundles of flowers with a rubber band or floral wire. Trim the ends at an angle. You can tweak the flowers as you go until you get the right look. Have fun!

The bunches of flowers are in rainbow order in the vases.

PC: Nicole Gerulet.  Flowers by Megan Dunford of Persimmon Floral

Gumball Necklaces!

Snow days call for art projects and here is one that will have you DIY enthusiasts chomping at the bit. 

Glamorous (and oh-so-perfect for Valentine's day) Gumball Necklaces!

Directions:

1. Using a metal skewer, pierce one side of the gumball. Hold the top of the gumball steady as you guide the skewer (see photo). This will prevent the skewer from slipping off the slick surface of the gumball.

2. Flip the gumball over and pierce another hole directly opposite to the first hole. If you try to poke a hole straight through both sides at once, the gumball will crack.

3. The hardest part is stringing the ribbon. Use a large needle to thread the ribbon through the gumballs. Thinner ribbon is easier to string. Tie a knot between each gumball as you string it.

Tip: Look for bags of single colored gumballs at your local party supply store.

PC: One Charming Party, Sarah Westbrook