We Are Moving

Holy Cow - we are moving. We close in 30 days! I guess somebody wants to buy our house to rent it out, (hey whatever works and gets us out of this tiny little thing)! In 30 days, I will be moving in with DH's parents so we can save for a nice big down payment on our last and final home. (We don't want to move again, especially in this market!) I'm excited but wow I have a lot to do it 30 days!

Wordless Wednesday

Showing off her newly painted toe nails...she's ready for spring!

Weekend Update

*If you read one of my last post about:  "I'm obsessed with Jessica Seinfeld's cook book: Deceptively Delicious"  Then you need to seriously try one of the new recipes I just tried out on my family this past week: "Chicken Quesadillas" They were amazing. Period, the end. They had pureed butternut squash (which the word probably grosses out my husband) which Eric could not taste AT ALL!! It's amazing, I'm so happy I found a recipe book that can transform a meal to from ordinary/normal to delicious/healthy! Any mom has to love that fact! Again, I highly recommend this cookbook! If you are laking in the lunch/dinner department or you've just burned out all your "got to meals" then run out and find this cookbook today!

Here are the amazing "Chicken Quesadillas" recipe:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2lb chicken cutlets or boneless chicken breast,rinsed and dried.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon chili powder or to taste
• 1/2 cup canned navy beans, drained and rinsed (I couldn't find navy so I used black beans)
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1/2 cup butternut squash puree
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• whole- wheat tortillas
• 1/2 cup salsa

1. Preheat oven to 400degrees. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set it over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the oil. Sprinkle the chicken with salt, pepper and chili powder, add it to the pan, and cook until no longer pink in the center, 4 to 5 minutes per side for cutlets. For chicken breast, cook 5 minutes per side, reduce heat to low, cover and cook 9 to 10 minutes longer. Cut the chicken into thin slices, or puree it, if necessary.
3. In a small bowl or mini chopper, mash the beans with the sour cream. In another bowl, stir together the butternut squash puree and the cheese.
4. Spread the bean mixture over two of the tortillas, then arrange the chicken slices or spread the pureed chicken on top. Spread the cheese mixture over the other two tortillas and press one of each together to form sandwiches. Place on the baking sheet and bake until the tortillas are crisp. 5 to 6 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa.

*We took Claire to her first concert - Disney's Imagination Movers with Choo-Choo Soul. She had an amazing time as did Eric and I. We've been watching the live concert via Disney for the last month 10x or more day so you can easily say it's one of Claire's favorite shows on tv to watch. She was in shock most the time but she danced and meet some older kid friends on the steps and had a lot of fun with them! All in all it was a very successful concert. We only had one, "all done?" but she did great for the 1 1/2 hour concert! Afterward she got her very own "movers" shirt and she also was lucky enough to meet the stars from "Choo-Choo Soul" and get a picture with them! (Pictures to come very soon).



*C.C. has a pretty nasty cough but nothing see can't handle. It comes at weird times but don't last too long. It's very mucus-y sounding so we are keeping her very hydrated with water/juice combo! We've also been making sure she takes her 1/2 of Flintstones vitamin every night! I'm ready for nice, warm weather to knock all this sick bugs out but I guess when their gone, the allergy bug attacks! It's always something, isn't it?


*I booked another Miche Bag vendor show in Schererville in June. I'm so happy that I'm making some spending money of my own. Before I was always apprehensive of spending Eric's money, don't get me wrong, I know it's our money but when I'm actually doing something to contribute it makes me feel great. I can make anywhere from $150-$300 in as little as 4 hours. Plus, it's fun and I believe in the product! Now I have 4 shows in 3 months!



*We are staying to plan our San Diego California trip. We are going the end of May to the beginning of June. 2 months away from today! We are excited to get away and we love California! This will be Claire's longest airplane ride. I'm a little nervous for the 4 1/2 hour flight but I will have a bag of goodies packed and the dvd player armed with her favorite movies and shows.  We are definitely doing: Disneyland and San Diego Zoo. We also have options of Lego Land and some kind of Safari Animal Park. We also are heading into LA for the whole day. Sight seeing and visiting more family. We are excited and are enjoying the planning process!

* Sunday was also a special day but I'll be writing a post, especially for that. So stay tuned!

Well, it's was an action packed weekend and we are just as packed in April as we were in March. You can tell Summer's a coming. We are always so busy in the Summer. It's fun and nice but it makes the Summer go by a little too fast! No matter what, I just enjoy the moments, crazy or not with my family! Hope you all had a great weekend!

Fun Fact Friday

I'm going to start a new blog post every Friday called, "Fun Fact Friday". I find great tidbits in many things I read and look at and I want to be able to pass them on to all of you guys! So here we go!

Fun Fact Friday

"The Broccoli Connect: Maybe Popeye should consider switching from Spinach to Broccoli. Not that spinach isn't a good food. But Broccoli and it's cruciferous relatives (cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage) are not only good foods, but evidence is growing that they may protect against cancer. The reason may be sulforaphane, a chemical found in these vegetables, which has been shown to block the growth of tumors, probably by jump starting the body's output of phase 2 enzymes, which detoxify cancer causing substances and help flush them from the body - though some other chemicals components of the cruciferous vegetables are also under study. So, like Popeye, you too, should consider increasing the number of apperances broccoli makes at family meals." (From: "What To Expect- The Toddler Years" by Heidi Murkoff)

If you family hates all the veggies and you are thinking to yourself, "there is no way, I can get them to eat any of those". You need to read one of my last post: I'm Obsessed With, it's all about a cookbook that you must get if you have very picky eaters. It's all about how to how good food into your every day meals! 

   

Claire's First Trip to Shedd Aquarium

A couple weekends ago we took Claire for the first time to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Lately, she's been in love with fish. Fish on TV, in books and over at her grandma and grandpa's house. Since her love for fish was growing stronger, we thought what better way to let her imagination run wild and really enjoy herself but to take her to the aquarium. Of course we went on a Saturday so the lines were long but thankfully we had a stroller and got to use the stroller entrance. The lines were a little better there but we still had to wait. At least there were a ton of kids to keep Claire's attention as we waited in the slowest moving line ever. Once we made it through the line, we grabbed our tickets and headed into the aquarium. We brought Claire's backpack walker leash thingy so she could walk around on her own but with us being able to watch her every move. As soon as we step foot past the ticket taker, she started to run toward the fish and yelling, "fish, fish". Ever time we would come up to a new tank, she would either sit down or lay on her stomach and talk to the fish. I'm pretty sure she even gave a few fish kisses. She walked the whole time and enjoyed every moment. I really think this is the first time she's been this excited and truly interested in something like this. I can't wait to take her back, if I thought she had fun now, I know she will have an amazing time then!

Here are some pictures from our day:

Checking out all the little fish with daddy.

Fish face has to be done while at the Aquarium.

Claire's making friends with all the fish!

C.C. and mommy checking out the biggest fish!

Fish, fish and more fish!

Getting ready to touch a starfish!

Daddy and Claire watching the dolphins!

Here she comes...

Under water at the coral reef exhibit.

Wordless Wednesday

My little Supergirl at her friend's superhero bday party!

 

I'm Obsessed With

I'm obsessed with Jessica Seinfeld's cook book: Deceptively Delicious

It's amazing! Eric is a majorly picky eater when it comes to certain foods and veggies. This cook book cures that completely. Claire loves her veggies but this cook book is allowing her to get a little extra veggies with out her knowing it. This is a great cook book for overly picky eaters who will not touch a veggies. She adds pureed veggies in to every single one of her recipes from breakfast to dessert. It's awesome and no one, not even the pickiest eater could tell it's in there. If my hubby can't, no one can! The meals are simple and delicious.

Last Friday I made her lasagna recipe - in 4 years, it was actually my first time making lasagna...weird, huh?! It was very easy and tasted great! Here's the lasagna recipe for you to try out with your picky eaters:

Need:

Nonstick cooking spray
1 tblspoon olive oil
1lb lean ground turkey or sirloin
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tblspoon all purpose or whole wheat flour
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 tblspoon reduced-fat sour cream
1/2 cup sweet potato puree
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (26oz) or 2 (15oz) cans whole, peeled tomatoes, with their juice
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup lowfat (1%) cottage cheese
1 large egg white
1/2 cup cauliflower puree
1 (8oz) box no-boil lasagna noodles (this are awesome and still very yummy)
2 cups shredded part-skin mozzarella

What to do:
1. Preheat the oven to 350. Coat an 8x12in baking dish w/cooking spray

2. For the meat filling, coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set it over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add oil. Add the turkey or beef, sprinkle w/salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour and 1/2 of the garlic, stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer. Off the heat, stir in the sour cream, sweat potato puree, and half (1/4 cup) of the Parmesan, set aside.

3. For the sauce, combine tomatoes and juice, the onion and the remaining garlic and Parmesan (1/4 cup) in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Transfer the sauce to a bowl or large measuring cup. Or use jarred sauce and just add Parmesan.

4. In the same blender or food processor, blend cottage cheese, egg white and cauliflower puree until smooth, set aside.

5. To assemble the lasagna, spread 1 cup of tomato sauce over the bottom of the baking dish. Layer one-third of the noodles on top, covering the sauce completely. Spread the meat filling over them. (If you are going meatless, just add a first layer of the cottage cheese mixture.) Cover the another one-third noodles and then spread all the cottage cheese mixture of them. Make another layer with the rest of the noodles and spoon the remaining tomato sauce over the top. Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese.

6. Cover lasagna with aluminum foil and bake until the cheese has melted and the noodles are cooked through, about 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10 minutes longer or until the top is bubbly and browned.


I've also made her mash potatoes and hamburger recipes - both were a must to try!


I really want to try her brownies! They have carrot and spinach puree in it and they are actually not bad for you! Yay for brownies that are some what good for you and your family to enjoy!

No matter if you or your family is picky or not. I highly recommend this cook book. Everyone could use a little more veggies in their life! I think it's a plus that you don't even know your eating some! Go buy this cook book and start making some great meals for your family! I love, I know you'll love it too! Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday - Pictures of C.C.

This is, "I hurt my hand and I want you to kiss it" face.

She was so tired, she fell asleep sitting up!

Our little C.C. is getting big!

"Cheese"

She loves to climb!

Claire and her buddy Penny

New in March - Miche Bag

Here's what's new in March:

 

If you want to check out the new March items, head on over to my website:  
http://my.michebag.com/megan_widstrand/

There you can find all the latest styles and of course everything that is on sale and about to retire!

Enjoy! 

A Bite of Heaven

I made this special treat for Eric and he loved them so I thought I should share it with all of you! 

Cookie Sandwich

• I used toll house cookie mix with m&m's and chocolate chip for Eric's cookies. If you have an amazing homemade cookie recipe, this is the time to use it.
• Bake the cookies as the direction say on the box/bag/container/recipe
• Let them cool
• Make the frosting - 1/3 cup stick butter, at room temperature, 3-4 cups powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk and 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
•  Blend butter and sugar. Stir in vanilla and milk, beat until frosting is smooth and of spreading consistency! ( Recipe from Betty Crocker)
• Spread a thin layer of homemade frosting on a cookie and then add another cookie on top. If you want to you can now roll your cookie sandwich in sprinkles. (put the sprinkles on a plate).
• Refrigerated until ready to eat! Enjoy.

Wordless Wednesday

Couldn't decide, so why not double fist it!