I Made it Monday: The BEST No-Bake Cookies

Well, next to Sis Chaffin's that is!

SO easy and SO yummy! I always have these ingredients around too! This recipes comes compliments of allrecipes.com. I don't do a lot of cooking or baking, but when I do it is usually these...so I guess I'm still not baking when I make these, huh?

I've even fancied them up with drizzling some melted white chocolate on top!

Chocolate-Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
ingredients:
2 cups white sugar
1/4 Cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 Cup milk
1/2 Cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 pinch of salt
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
3 cups quick-cooking oats

directions:
~ In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, cocoa, milk, and butter. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, peanut butter, and oats.
~ Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Allow cookies to cool for at least 1 hour. Store in an airtight container.

34 week/ Almost 35 week Pregnancy Update

34 Weeks!

34 weeks + 2 days

Well, I've been meaning to get this update on here for a while, but so much has been happening. Thursday was a Relief Society Activity I was in charge of putting together...

(It was fun! A craft and cookie night. There were a couple of craft stations to make Christmas Cards, leather broaches, and Christmas stockings. Everyone brought 2 dozen cookies - one dozen to be shared that night - served with milk of course - and everyone got a dozen of mixed cookies to take home. And surprisingly there was not a single duplicate recipe)

...and Saturday was our Church Christmas Social/Dinner for which I played a harp piece. I hadn't been sleeping well the last several nights and unfortunately was around a few more people than I normally am and picked up a (luckily) very mild version of the cold going around here (I attribute that to my wonderful prenatal vitamins and excellent hydration). I had pretty much kicked it by Sunday night and was just finishing up the sniffles on Monday, but I feel like it could come back this morning so I'm taking it easy by blogging and catching up on a preggo update (only 2 days from being 35 weeks).

So, baby is doing GREAT! The doctor says I'm right on track with growth, weight (now up 23 lbs), and baby's heart rate is strong as ever. She got a kick out of feeling my tummy - she says there isn't much between the outside world and this baby and said she could feel everything - I could have told her THAT! I feel almost every move she makes these days and although it is still exciting and wonderful and miraculous - It has also become rather painful in the last 2 weeks! She packs quite a punch these days, and she really likes to squeeze a little foot or hand or something under my ribs (and I'm not just talking a little nudging - drilling or burrowing might be better words). I've heard babies often favor a certain position like on the left or right sides of the belly - Our little one's favorite spot is to lay sideways with her head on my left and bum and feet on my right and kick the daylights out of my right side (sometimes I look just to see if she's given me a bruise yet). Maybe because she just doesn't have enough room upright and she lets me know! I feel and see so many little knobs I can't tell what is what! Head and bum aren't too hard too tell, but I can't tell if the little ones are hands, feet, knees, shoulders, or elbows! All these acrobatics have made sleep a little more difficult lately - not to mention the fast approaching D-Day. Sometimes I get moments of pure excitement and once-in-a-while I get a little twinge of anxiety like I am not quite ready. But I think we are as ready as we can ever be!

I feel I have to report on the Pink Kit Progress for those of you who care. It has been interesting and I think has been good for us...but it may not be for everyone. Some people may not want to do part of the preparation work. Also, Dan and I finally got to the video portion of the kit and all I have to say is I don't know how many men would put up with this - luckily, Dan is so wonderful and is doing this with me because we want the best birth we can have. The video is a little dated (clothing wise) and seems quite...awkward at times. We have laughed quite a bit, but we are doing it! If any of you are ever interested in trying this kit ask me about it first and I will go into a little more detail so you know what you are getting into!

I am continually amazed at how as one becomes visibly more more pregnant she becomes public property...or should I say subject to public touch, scrutiny, criticism, suggestion, and praise. Luckily, I am pretty easy going and not easily offended and actually find these scenarios quite hilarious. I actually have not been touched much by strangers rubbing the pregnant belly, but I get a lot of looks and comments. I get a lot of guesses that I am having a boy or girl by the way I am carrying. I get a lot of suggestions of what I should/shouldn't do in pregnancy and birth. I also get a lot of assumptions that because I am pregnant I must be after the sweets. Just the other day I was in WalMart and an elderly gentleman pointed to the fudge brownies saying, "I assume you are looking for these". I have gotten a few comments about what a cute pregnant woman I am (typically from people who already know me and very few strangers), but mostly I get looks, double-takes, and comments about how young I look. Usually it starts off with someone seeing me and being startled by my belly as I come around my grocery cart, turn a corner, or get out of the car. They typically do a long head-to-toe double-take and have a confused and sometimes concerned look on their face. Often they look away when I make eye contact, but they keep sneaking looks back until they get up the nerve to say, "I just have to know..." or "I just have to ask..." or "Could I ask you..." - "...how old you are". Most are totally blown away when I tell them I am 28 years old. Then they feel free to comment that they thought I was another poor teenage mom that got into trouble or how they thought I couldn't be more than 17 or 18 but had a wedding ring on - THAT is what I think made people feel like they were allowed to ask. I have to admit I was a little disappointed to find out that many of the looks I previously thought were, "Oh, there goes a cute pregnant woman" were actually, "Oh No, there goes a pregnant teenager. I really do not think I look THAT young, but I am not looking at myself from others points of view I guess. I have not yet had the courage to play with anyone in my reply - although I think it could be very fun to I probably never will. But I often think about what I COULD say to them to get an even more shocked look on their face!

Another thing I have noticed is that my dreams have changed in the last week or so. Ever since I was pregnant my dreams have seemed more vivid in color and reality, but still weird and harmless. In the last week my dreams have gotten rather dark and violent. Almost every one involves an out of control and dangerous animal (bears, alligators, wild dogs, raptors, flesh-eating lizards, and such), strange people that are after me, and me being forced to do some sort of extreme sport or thing to save my life (like parachuting, hang gliding, base-jumping, zip-lining, cliff jumping...just to name a few). I know it sounds funny, but in my dreams people are actually mauled, shot, chased, or falling and I see it! NOT fun! I've actually had to will myself to change the dream or will myself to wake-up. I miss the less harmful nightmares I had before about forgetting to feed the baby again and again.

Ok. enough of that! We are getting ready for baby. Her nursery is starting to look super cute! I will have to post pictures soon. Also, we started a birthing class at the hospital. So far the best part has been the tour of the hospital (very nice!) and an anesthesiologist who came and spoke to us and answered questions for almost 45 minutes on pain management and epidurals. I thought that was SO valuable and learned a LOT of new things. I still want to see what I can do on my own in labor, but I am not afraid or against epidurals. Dan and I are going into this with the attitude that we will do as much as we can "naturally", but if I am not coping and labor is going to leave me scarred with horror stories and I am miserable and unhappy it isn't worth "going natural". I don't want memories of labor to be horrible. That being said, I am well aware that labor is not in anyway easy or pleasant - I guess it is all perspective. I know what some of you may think - just wait until you are there sweetheart! But Dan and I have done a lot of preparation and I know what kind of labor I want - and if that ends up natural than fine and if I have an epidural that is also fine.

We are SO excited! I can't wait to be holding this little one in our arms very soon! Sometimes I just sit back in amazement of it all and actually laugh out loud when I am all alone because I am just so happy and excited to become a mother. It is amazing how expecting has brought Dan and I closer. I thought we were very close before, but something has definitely changed and I love it! I'm not saying this well, and I'm not sure there are words to say it, but it is wonderful to have him as my partner in this! He has taken such good care of me and he is going to be an amazing Dad! I love him so much.

WOW! Novel here! Well, again, this update has been MUCH longer than I meant it to be, but I hope it wasn't too tortuous. Merry Christmas!

AND POMEGRANATE BLOG CHEF CHALLENGE WINNER IS...

...Jalynn!!!
(see her blog post here)

She really took this challenge to heart and I think she went above and beyond! There were other good suggestions of recipes sent my way, but Jalynn not only attempted a very challenging recipe, but she came up with it herself after researching several different recipes! AND she included pictures! I had not thought about pomegranate in much more than salads and desserts and expected such entries, but Jalynn's recipe was actually a main dish/entree! I am a little intimidated by this recipe, but I am going to try and attempt it one of these days! Congrats Jalynn and enjoy the reward!

For her efforts and participation Jalynn wins a family trip to Krispy Kreme for free doughnuts! I thought that would be fitting since doughnuts are currently my favorite food and
Krispy Kreme has the best!

Honorable mentions goes to my Dad for putting pomegranate seed in his salad with mixed greens (including spinach and chard still from the garden), diced asian pears and Fuji apples, poppyseed dressing and pecans. (I actually did get to taste this one when in WA and loved it!!!)

And another honorable mention to Julienne for a recipe suggestion for Pomegranate Cheesecake that looked pretty scrumptious (here)!

Thanks to all who participated and I hope that if I do another future BLOG CHEF CHALLENGE that more will have fun participating! In the words of Julia Childs (from the movie Julie&Julia, which I HIGHLY reccomend and LOVED!), "Do not be afraid!".

Remember the Pomegranate! And other randomness

You have 2 more days to get your pomegranate recipes in! I've received a small few so I'm still hoping some of you are planning on giving it a shot!

Tonight Dan and I watched "Julie & Julia" and I absolutely loved it! Dan loved it too! I think we saw a little bit of us both in it.

Hope you are all enjoying the season. I sure am! I've helped plan and put on 2 Christmas activities for church and they were both great successes and have really gotten me into the Christmas Spirit!

I will do a 34 week pregnancy update with picture tomorrow for all you who enjoy reading those.

You are being invited to a BLOG CHEF CHALLENGE!

I love to watch the Food Network Channel - ESPECIALLY the shows where chefs are given a challenge which usually involves using some sort or secret or strange assortment of ingredients, a time limit, and competition with other chefs. Typically they are judged on taste, creativity/originality, and plating (how nice it looks). Shows like The Iron Chef, Chopped, The Next Iron Chef, The Next Food Network Star are all these sorts of shows - reality shows, but not like the crazy raunchy type. I love to watch these talented chefs create and use such amazing skill under pressure. I like to make my own comments and judgments along with Dan like we know what we are talking about and that we could be judges of such shows. (I would LOVE to taste some of that food!).

SO, I have been thinking lately. I have decided that I LOVE pomegranate, but I have no idea what to do with it. I only see it in stores this time of year and Dan and I usually just eat it in raw spoonfuls from a bowl or we put them in fried won tons with some chocolate (remember THIS?). I was going to look up different ideas about how to use them but decided it would be SO much more fun to try a BLOG CHEF CHALLENGE!!! So, here it is for anyone who will or wants to participate! For those cooks/chefs/and anyone who likes a good competition/challenge. You could even do it for a family activity!AND THERE IS A PRIZE FOR THE WINNER!!!
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Your challenge (should you choose to accept it), is to use the ingredient chosen by the judges (ME and DAN) in a dish of your choosing such as a dessert, appetizer, or main course item. Be sure to include the recipe and a picture!

The Ingredient is the pomegranate. "A pomegranate is a fruit-bearing deciduousshrub or small tree growing to between five and eight meters tall...The edible fruit is a berry and is between a lemon and a grapefruit in size, 5–12 cm in diameter with a rounded hexagonal shape, and has thick reddish skin and around 600 seeds.^[5] The seeds and surrounding pulp, ranging in color from white to deep red, are called arils. " - Wikipedia

here are tips to getting those seeds out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHyqoeB0Wlk

Time: You will have until December 13th at midnight to either post your effort on your blog (in which case be sure to comment on my blog you are doing so) - OR - email it to me - gidget278@comcast.net for those of you who do not blog. The winner(s) will be announced on December 14th.

The Judgment: You will be JUDGED on...well, lets face it, I can't taste it - so I'll have to take your honest word on how it turns out...creativity/originality, whether or not you include a picture, and basically whatever looks good and yummy to Dan and I.

The Winnings: The winner(s) - in case we can't decide - will receive a special prize yet to be determined - but I'm sure will be worth the effort!

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I have no idea if anyone will participate, but I really hope you do!!! I know it is a busy time of the year so I am giving almost 2 weeks for people to be able to participate. Please do it! It will be so fun!

Today was a nice day!

I loved today. It was hard to beat last nights wonderful turkey dinner (I downed two large platefuls of food twice before everyone else was done with their first), but today was good. I woke up after 7 solid hours of sleep - no waking to get comfortable again - no waking to go to the bathroom (I must have been beyond exhausted)- and no waking when Dan got up early to go hunting. I woke rested and refreshed up to the morning sun shining through the blinds. I had a great breakfast, checked some email, had my 2nd breakfast and got ready for the day. I then drove to Michaels where the store was busy, but not crowded and the only time there was no line was when I was ready to check-out - absolutely no wait. AND I got amazing deals. Unfortunately, Michaels didn't have everything I needed so I headed to Joanne Fabrics (a much further drive but the sun was out and the ocean was so blue and clear AND I listened to CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!). They had exactly what I needed and although it was more crowded than Michaels everyone was very pleasant, and when I checked out - the line was super short. And again got some amazing deals! I got home and Dan was home from hunting. He made us Turkey sandwiches (on the delicious dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, turkey and all from yesterday) we watched a little show on the computer then Dan took a nap and I played around with some of my crafts and picked up the house a little. Later, the Sister missionaries came over and helped us put a border up in the baby's room that I LOVE! (Pictures to come later). Then we went to dinner with some friends for one of their birthdays - had amazing food and a great time, came home and snuggled and talked with Dan. Now he is asleep in bed and I am remembering my wonderful day!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving!

I Made It Monday: Orange Chicken-crockpot

(I forgot to take a picture until we were almost done)

This is a super-duper easy version of orange chicken. Definitely not the best one out there (even though Dan loved it) BUT if you happen to have some orange soda, and not much else it works and it is still tasty. It is SO easy and is just plopped into the crockpot so there is practically no prep work beside measuring and placing into the crockpot. Well, except for the rice you serve it over - but I have a rice cooker so again - easy peasy! Dan really liked it. I thought it was good, but my piece was a little dry in some parts. Dan's was really moist - not sure why. But it is fast and easy. And I loved the sauce on my rice!

Orange Chicken
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can or 12 oz of orange soda (I bought one of those little 50 cent ones outside the grocery store so I could try this recipe)
1/2 cup soy sauce (I think I used just slightly less, because I always think it is too powerful in most recipes that call for this much)
Hot cooked rice

~ Place all ingredients except rice in slow cooker
~ Cover; cook on LOW 5-6 hours
~ Serve over rice.

I Made It Monday: Famous Pork Chops

Another tasty way to prepare pork chops! It is a simple recipe I found on allrecipes.com I followed the suggestions from people who had made this recipes (one of my favorite features of the website) and we loved it! It's definitely not the healthiest pork chop recipe (mostly due to the butter), but it sure was tasty! Its not like you would eat it every night!

Famous Pork Chops

1 cup crushed butter crackers (I used Ritz crackers by suggestions from other cookers)
garlic salt to taste
ground pepper to taste
2 eggs (3 were suggested, but DEFINITELY not needed)
4 Pork chops (for 4 servings)
1/4 Cup of butter (1/2 a cup was suggested, but I even thought I could cut down the 1/4 cup!)

~ Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
~ Meanwhile, a suggestions was to "flash" brown the chops at high to med/high heat in olive oil to keep them moist.
~ In a shallow bowl combine crushed crackers, garlic salt and pepper; mix well. Beat eggs in a different bowl.
~ Dip pork chops in egg batter and then in the cracker mixture.
~ Place pork chops in a casserole dish and place chunks of the butter around the pork chops.
~ Cover with tin foil and bake for 40 minutes followed by 5 minutes uncovered of broiling to make them a little crispy!

We had this dish with mashed potatoes and green beans. SO YUMMY!

30 Week Update

I can't believe I am 30 weeks! Just 10 weeks to go! 70 Days on the ticker. It has been so fun the last few months to feel good and to enjoy being pregnant and feeling and seeing the baby inside. I am continually amazed when I watch her move - I sit and watch for long periods of times when she is really active. I have been feeling great, but I can feel some of the discomforts of my ever increasing size creeping in. I loose my breath much faster, I use about 7 pillows to sleep, I've had a little bit of heartburn now and then, and sometimes I just feel so tight and full. But for now the excitement of the ever approaching D-Day is an "I am so excited but I can wait till it happens; let it take its course" as opposed to being so uncomfortable that I think, "I CAN'T wait to have this baby". Don't get me wrong, I am SO EXCITED to meet our little girl, but Dan and I are enjoying this pregnancy time too!

It was fun to visit family recently in Seattle and share this period of the pregnancy with them. Living so far away I sometimes feel sad that they can't see and be apart of each phase or aspect, so it meant a lot to me to have that time.

Eating has been wonderful! I still have NOT taken for granted how wonderful it is to eat and enjoy food again - perhaps I never will. Can I just say I LOVE doughnuts! My weight has been steadily increasing with a total weight gain of about 14lbs. I weigh more now than I ever have in my life!
My belly circumference has grown 11'' since we found out I was pregnant. It is all fun and exciting. My belly-button is now non-existent. It is just a flat star shape in the middle of my belly. At my last Dr. appointment Dr.Graham was trying to feel for it to gauge my growth and could not find it over my shirt.

Speaking of that last appointment - I survived the test for gestational diabetes. I had to go a few hours without eating, than drink this concoction that seemed like slightly watered down orange flavored cough syrup, wait one hour, than have my blood drawn. It wasn't so bad at first, but by the end of the drink I was feeling a little sick and just sat very still and quiet for the next hour. I made it and there is no gestational diabetes noted. Whew! I'd hate to have to do the 3 hour test!

I also I have started new Prenatal vitamins in the last few weeks - My Dr. in San Angelo put me on Neevo which is typically prescribed for high-risk pregnancies or people who cannot absorb folic acid, but she gave the option for all her patients since it seemed to cause the least amount of nausea, decrease uncomfortable digestive/elimination symptoms of pregnancy, and the nutrients are more easily absorbed in the body than other vitamins. I loved it. NOW, my Dr prescribed a new version called Neevo DHA which is a gel-capsule (MUCH easier to swallow), and has DHA added (which is an omega-3 fatty acid which is supposed to be great for mom and baby), and it makes me feel great! The cost is more than if I were to just stick with generic, but I love how I feel on it and that makes it worth the cost!

I have done a lot more with The Pink Kit (The birthing skills prep I mentioned in my last prego update). I really like it. I am not finished with it and of course I have nothing to compare it to yet but I really like how it is rather simple and straightforward information that has helped me feel a little more prepared, gives me a positive outlook and skills to use, and put a few fears at ease. I really like how it gives good instruction to your coach or partner. Dan and I will go through it together as soon as I get through it the first time. I've been taking my time lately.

Well, that is the update for now. WOW! That was much more than I had planned on saying. Time is ticking, slower at some moments than others, but I'm sure it will fly by as the holiday season approaches!