silly naps

What the...

Riley!

Kid, you crack me up.

You love taking your clothes off and putting them on.

Somehow you got a dirty onesie from the hamper (it's near your crib); you played with it during nap time today.

Ha.  You tried getting it all the way on but fell asleep with it on your head, instead!

And no pants, too.

Momma just had to sneak the camera in today to take pics of you waking up.

(Yes, I had to wake you up because it was 5 pm!)

I love having a video monitor.  You are pure entertainment!

You silly girl, you.

Grr...Hannah banana

Who is Grr?

source

I really need to figure it out.

Hannah loves this weird, green, alien dog thing.

Here she is sporting her new Grr sweatshirt and socks that she got from us for her birthday!

Happy 11th Birthday, Hannah!

So...

Did you miss me?

Yeah, probably not.

You probably didn't even notice I hadn't blogged for several days!

I didn't feel like it.

It's just one of those weeks.  Blah.

My week started looking up Wednesday...when I had my Mom's Time Out meeting.  (Good company, and nice to get out!)

Yesterday was even better - my mom visited (again!) so that I could get my teeth cleaned.

I love clean teeth.  I love the dentist.  Weird?  Whatever.  At least I have good teeth.  (Ha.)

Sometimes I just feel like I am doing the same thing day in and day out.  Probably because I am!

Anyway, I did get a lot done around the house.  I majorly organized our files and got to use my label maker several times.  That always brings a smile to my face.  (Nerd!)

I got to play with Riley - inside and out.  She's finally better from her cold too...

Riley lazing in her chair that Daddy got her!

Riley being a goober (a cute one at that!)

I have my step-daughters tomorrow.  We are very much looking forward to that!  We miss them.

Other than that, it literally is the same ol' around here.

I'm really ready to flip the calendar to March...(are you?)

Ready for spring.  I am excited to walk and run more outside!  (I'm thinking about doing another 5K this May too!)

Ready for my hubby to be home.  I try so hard not to wish my life away but when your spouse is deployed it's very difficult not to think that way.  I'm constantly wanting the days to go by; the weeks, months - just so he gets home!  But, in the meantime we are doing well.  Our days are staying busy and Riley brings me so much joy.  Its been wonderful having her to focus on every day.  She's amazing.

Hope you all have had a great week and enjoy your weekend!

Basic Banana Bread

Have overripe bananas? 

Make this bread! 

Easy. Yummy.

  

Basic Banana Bread
(Printable Recipe)


Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana
*1/3 cup plain fat-free yogurt
5 tablespoons butter, melted
2 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
*1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
Cooking Spray
1/3 cup powdered sugar (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons 1% low-fat milk (optional)

*I have used Greek yogurt before.  Also, I always use whole wheat flour for at least half the amount of flour needed in this recipe.

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed.
• Add granulated sugar and brown sugars; beat until combined.
• In a separate bowl, combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through ground allspice).
• Add flour mixture to banana mixture; beat just until blended.
• Pour batter into a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray.
• Bake at 350 for 55 minutes (or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean).
• Remove from oven; cool at least 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack.
• Remove bread from pan; cool completely.
• (Optional) Combine powdered sugar and milk, stirring until smooth and drizzle over bread.

FYI - Yields 16 servings (serving: 1 slice) and there are 167 calories in each slice.

Source: Cooking Light, October 2010



 So yum.

exercise and cookies

Guys.

I have a serious problem.

Serious!

Today I did a very typical Abby thing.  (Almost embarassing to admit...)

I worked out for an hour during Riley's nap.  (Go Me!)

I then, immediately afterwards, baked cookies.

And ate about six straight from the oven.  (No, I'm not kidding.)

I even burnt my tongue because I couldn't get to them fast enough.  (Idiot.)

Not just any cookies (like my "healthier" versions)...

These babies - Dark Chocolate Chip Comfort Cookies.

They have - yes, lots of chocolate in them.  And, peanut butter.  Need I say more?

notice I'm eating as I take pics...one bite, two bites...you get the point

Dang man.  These are good!

Too good.

Too naughty.

Ugh.  I worked out and then I ate cookies. 

Somehow, the two just don't go well together.

Seriously.  One of these days I need to wake up and get on the ball.  I know that if I cut out (some) sugar that I'd probably see better weight loss results.  Yes?  Yeah.  A no brainer.

I've always said I'd rather work out than diet.  And it's completely true.  I'd rather train and run a marathon before I diet.  I cannot.  Cannot.  Cut out certain foods.  I'd go mental.  I am just thinking about it.

But I could at least cut back from five, to say...two cookies in a day?  That may help.

So, what did I do after Riley woke up from her nap today?  I went for a walk.  (I'm lucky my daughter loves going outside, in the stroller!)  I needed to burn more calories, and walk off some of the "ugh" feeling.  Those "comfort" cookies were making me feel guilty all day.

I didn't even eat dinner because I felt so ill.  You'd think this would teach me a lesson, huh? 

Sorry to say, it won't.  I may not do it again tomorrow - but next week, ummm, probably.

Anyway, I immediately froze all of the cookies - after inhaling several straight from the oven.

Tomorrow will be better.  I think...

I need help!

Chicken and Pies

Happy Friday!

For dinner I tried an easy, healthier version of chicken nuggets.

They are good!

I've made chicken similar to this, but never thought to make it bite sized!  (DUH!)

I will definitely make again - great for a kid friendly meal.


Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets
(Printable Recipe)

Ingredients:

16 ounces skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into even bite sized pieces
salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons olive oil
6 tablespoons whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Cooking spray

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper, then put in the bowl with olive oil and mix well so that the chicken pieces are evenly coated.
• Put a few chunks of chicken at a time into the breadcrumb mixture to coat, then on a baking sheet.
• Lightly spray the top with cooking spray.
• Bake 8-10 minutes, turning over half way through cooking time.
• Cook until chicken is cooked through.
• Serve with favorite dipping sauce!

Source: Skinny Taste


I also made some mini pies!

My inspiration came from these beauties...apple pie cookies.

Source: hwescott.blogspot.com via Abby on Pinterest

I also found this idea...

Source: twigandthistle.com via Abby on Pinterest

...and thought of making them for my party.  But, decided I had way too much else I wanted to bake for that night and pushed these off to the side.

So, I had the ingredients.  Refrigerated pie crusts and apple pie filling.  Yes, I completely cheated on these.  (Can you say, EASY?!)

I am, however, going to make real mini pies someday using homemade pie crusts (way better) and fresh apples (way better). 

This got the job done though and they are cute!  I wanted to make heart shaped pies all along!  Click here if you are interested in what recipe I used.  I still like the idea of putting one in a box and saying on it "for my sweetie pie" or something like it for a gift.

These would actually be really fun to make with your kids, too!

Enjoy your weekend!

PB+J Pancakes

My mom came to visit us yesterday for the day.

Her and Riley had a fun day together!

I also had a fun day...alone.  I was able to get my hair trimmed and do some shopping all by myself.  It was GREAT and much needed.  I loved having a day off.  ;)

Thanks again, Mom!

 

Here is a little "thank you" I gave her...

 

I also sent her home with some cookies...

(a new recipe: Low Fat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies)

I made my first ever homemade bread!

Not bad, for my first time.

We're still enjoying the smell of sweet roses in our house too!

This morning (after Skype-ing with Aaron) I made PB + J pancakes for breakfast...

Amazing!

A very fluffy, light pancake!

We ate ours with Blueberry Syrup.

Yummies.

PB+J Pancakes

(Printable Recipe)

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar

1 egg

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk (plus extra if needed to thin)

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, melted (15-30 seconds in microwave)

2 tablespoons oil

3-4 tablespoons butter, divided (for cooking)

Directions:

• Preheat griddle.
• In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.
• Slowly add egg, milk, peanut butter and oil until combined.
• Let stand 5 minutes.
• Coat heated griddle with 1 tablespoon butter and pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake.
• Flip when a quick peek on the underside reveals a golden color.
• Repeat with remaining batter.
• Serve with fruit flavored syrup (like blackberry or blueberry) or spread with jelly or jam!
A cold glass of milk goes great with this too.  ;)

Makes about 11 pancakes.

Source: Parents, January 2011

I'm telling you, these pancakes will be a hit with your kids!