Motherhood and All that other stuff

There are still days that I wake up and realize "wow, I am a mom"..."I have a daughter" and my heart wants to explode of love I feel for my baby girl...How did I get so lucky with an amazing little girl.

It took me awhile to get where I am today, but today I can truly say - I love being a mom and I love having Kiki in my life. No matter what is happening around me, she is always my happy! The first time I looked into her eyes I understood what the words unconditional love truly mean. I have loved before, but the love I felt when I held my daughter for the first time is something I can not explain. Becoming a mother has been amazing, terrifying and profound at the same time.

1. I was never a baby person before and didn't know what to do with them until I had one. And now I am one of those people who gives strangers baby advice and wants to hold their baby.

2. If people still had wallets with photos of their kids in it, I'd be one of them. Lucky me I can tote around 500+ pictures of my little love in my iPhone.

3. I never understood when people would light up talking about their kids, but now I get it. I light up just thinking about her.

4. While my type A personality can sometimes drive me into overdrive, and schedules and routines are important, you also have to be flexible and live your life. I've learned not to be so rigid because sometimes a baby is just a baby and not every day goes as planned.

5. I've learned to say no. I can say no to travel opportunities or social gatherings when I need to. While I still feel like I'm missing out on the fun sometimes, picking and choosing what's most important to me and works best with my family's needs and schedule.

6. Discovering a whole new world through the eyes of my baby love....the sounds that animals make, tasting new foods, touching new textures, learning new words. Suddenly the smallest things are becoming so fascinating. 

7. I have a whole new respect and appreciation for my parents and the sacrifices they have made so I can become a person that I am today. 

8. So long clean living rooms. I am learning how to deal with a messy house. I used to need everything to be in its place immediately, and now it just take a little while longer {or sometimes that pile just sits there for weeks - like those bills, torn recipes from magazines, etc}...but I'm learning to be okay with that.

9. I was afraid how would I do things that I used to do before the baby, or giving up the little things, but I don't see it anymore as giving up, it's completely natural to put her needs first. I find it so easy to go shopping, or to Barnes and Noble, or for a walk to clear my head, or that massage or manicure that I cherish so much...or anything else outside of the house a total breeze, because I am teaching her about my life, my likes, these are the things now I love doing with her. I couldn't imagine going shopping without her - she is my perfect final voice if I should buy something or not.

10. I have become less worried about "what will be" or "what has happened" but cherish the now.

11. and finally, I love more!

I love you from here to eternity my baby love!!!

Love, Laughter, Health and Happiness

Hello and Happy Monday! Hope your Monday is better than mine. It's been three days since I left the house, and I am feeling it. I am ready to get up tomorrow, dress up, do something productive and smile. 

I really tried to be productive this weekend, but it just didn't happen. I have been consumed with negative news that unfortunately as of lately has become all too common for our family - loosing  family members, friends, separations, divorces, illnesses, not to mention all the shootings around the US, ay how much more bad news can a person take. And on top of that, I've been reading this book at night, and can't stop crying, and I mean from tears of happiness to sadness, it's just all around madness.

I've had enough of tears and heartache, it's time for laughter and happiness. I want rainbows, butterflies and candy. I want love and health, and let's not forget a new pair of shoes - yup, they always make me happy! Speaking of shoes, I am eyeing a pair of these. I could use a new book too, and everything on my nightstand right now seems just too "heavy" - any "light" recommendations? Obviously I am looking for an escape, and last night's dinner was just that... my favorite stir-fry and Ben and Jerry's, my oh my, so comforting.

You might recall after all the crazy traveling in the first part of the year, the chef made this incredible honey cashew chicken with rice.

It was just as good as last time if not better. There is something to be said about the contrast of sweetness and saltiness, mushy and crunchy - perfection. I couldn't help myself so I had two servings, and leftovers for lunch. These are the days I am so thankful the chef cooks like there is a dinner party for 4 and not just the two of us.

Cheers to a better week...to love, laughter, health and happiness!

Hurricane Espresso and...

In preparation for hurricane Isaac, Kiki and I headed to Target to get some supplies and to get ready for a hurricane party this weekend. We used to have a box with all the supplies - batteries, food, water, charcoal, first aid kit, doggy food, etc. ready to go. But over time, we kept pulling stuff out and the box now holds one bottle of water, and a few items in the first aid kit. With the newest addition to our family I figured we better be ready and add a few of Kiki's emergency food items.  I have a feeling everyone else had the same thing in mind because when we got to Target there was NO water left...I repeat NO water left. So the Chef is off to look for water and espresso beans, you know - priorities! 

After our little shopping excursion, we came home to a lovely dinner and a glass of vino [vino for me, of course]. 

The Chef was on a mission tonight to clean out the refrigerator so he put together cheese tortellini, peas, sauteed spinach, chopped tomato, a little bit of butter, grated lemon zest and lemon juice, a pinch of salt and black pepper and voila, dinner is served. 

I am not a big fan of cooked tomatoes, so this could have been much better if it wasn't for tomatoes. Not sure what is it about the taste of cooked tomatoes that just doesn't agree with me, which is so odd since I love tomato pasta sauce and fresh tomatoes. 

I had a really good night of sleep last night, so tonight I am giving myself a TV night, after all it is the Suits night and big decisions will be made. Are you watching?

Sleeping and Succotash

I am back to the vicious cycle of staying up late (reading blogs of course). I am not getting nearly enough sleep, crashing in the middle of the afternoon, surviving on way too much caffeine, and my exhaustion is no longer fun nor anyone wants to hear about it.  

Tonight I promised the Chef I would be in bed by 10pm. You can only imagine his reaction - he first laughed at me (he knows me too well, but I am out to prove him wrong) and said "don't get mad at me when I yell at you to go to bed". So I will be making this very quick...because I will not get laughed at nor yelled at ;)

I had so much fun with Kiki this afternoon. She discovered the iPad, so we played with some toddler appropriate apps, even though she was mostly interested in Home button. She also unpacked my goodie bag from this past weekend, and was smitten with a deck of cards. We played cards for almost 20 minutes - she would give me two, herself two, than two to me, four to herself, and four that she would try to hide in her diapers. I am not sure who taught her how to play cards,  but I don't think casinos would approve of her tactics. 

I can't believe we ate our dinner and cleaned up kitchen tonight by 9pm. That is unheard of for us. Usually I fall asleep while putting Kiki to bed, or the chef is at the gym, but we are never at the table before 9 or 9:15pm, so tonight was a miracle.

We had a good dinner tonight - really simple, but very filling. While I browsed the Cooking Light magazine on Monday I saw an ad for "al fresco sundried tomato chicken sausage" with a recipe for Mediterranean succotash. This dinner was my cup of tea for sure... crunchy, hearty and spicy. It was great for a weeknight too - quick - less than 15 minutes. 

I think I will have to start a blog page of quick recipes. I am always looking for quick weeknight meals and searching through my blog because I know we've made them, so having them all in one page would be really helpful. I think I have some blog maintenance to work on this weekend.

It's exactly 9:59pm right now, so I am off... hope you have a good night.

INGREDIENTS

         1-12 oz package al fresco Sundried Tomato Chicken Sausage

           2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

   2 fresh garlic cloves

   1 cup sweet red bell peppers, chopped

   2 cups frozen sweet corn

   15 oz baby lima beans

   ½ tsp table salt

   ½ tsp black ground pepper

            1 tbsp chilled orange juice

   2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat a medium skillet with oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken sausage, garlic and peppers, and sauté, for about 5 minutes. Remove chicken sausage, set aside, and slice ½ pieces when cooled slightly. Add corn and lima beans to skillet, cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are heated throughout. 


Add chicken sausage back into the skillet. Season with the salt and pepper, then stir in parsley. Transfer to individual dinner plates or bowls and serve immediately.

P.S.  I purchased this product myself, Al Fresco does not know who I am, nor did they ask for the product review - I just like it....

SImple Recipes & Sleep

Sometimes at night when I wake up or can't fall asleep I find myself staring at the baby monitor and watching Kiki sleep. I love watching her sleep. I love watching her body move with every breath she takes. I used to be so worried will she sleep through the night, what if she wakes up and won't fall asleep, what if, what if...I don't anymore, sometimes I can't wait for her to wake up in the morning just so I can hold her. I love holding her, smelling her soft skin, whispering to her how much I love her and singing softly "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".  She is a light sleeper, like her dad...moves around A LOT, and sleep talks, like her mom.  

Last night I wasn't able to fall asleep - staring at the baby monitor, today was a very long day, and with a little bit too much caffeine, I am definitely crashing now.  I barely had enough energy to eat dinner or anything else. And I have a feeling the longer I sit here staring at the screen the more awake I am and the vicious cycle of falling asleep begins.

Tonight's dinner was inspired by the airport read of "Real Simple" September issue magazine and 10 ideas for meatballs. I loved the description they used in the magazine "spaghetti's sidekick takes center stage" and tonight the meatballs stole the stage. 

The chef definitely did them differently that he usually prepares them by combining the breadcrumbs, onion, parsley and garlic until finely chopped, to which he added the milk and Worcestershire and let it stand for 5 minutes. He than added beef, 2 eggs, 1 tbsp salt and 1 tsp of pepper and combined all together. He placed the meatballs on foil-lined broilproof baking sheet and broil for about 8-10 minutes. Since this recipe makes for almost 40 meatballs, it's easy to freeze the uncooked ones and use for another meal.

It was my first time eating the gamelli pasta, and I really liked it. It was done perfectly al dente - just a little chewy. it was a heavy meal with all the pasta, Pecorino cheese and breaded meatballs, and will go on a list of quick and comforting foods.

• 
  
• Ingredients
• 12 oz Gemelli
• 12 oz mushrooms, quartered
• 1 tsp thyme
• 2 tbsp butter
• 5 oz baby spinach
• 1/2 cup grated pecorino or parmesan
• salt and pepper

Preparation

1.  Cook 12 oz. gemelli, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Cook 12 oz. quartered mushrooms and 1 teaspoon chopped thyme in butter in a large skillet until tender, 8-10 minutes. Toss with the pasta, meatballs, baby spinach, cheese and reserved cooking water. Season with salt and pepper.

Honey, I am home....

After a few days away, I am so happy to be home. Even though I went to a city that stole my heart three years ago, had an amazing time with my bestie, ate magnificent food, and attended a really cool wine bloggers conference, coming home doesn't even compare to it.

After a red-eye, 12 hours of airplanes and airports, I decided to spend a day at home with the family, take naps, unpack, relax, re-charge and re-energize because it's going to be one of those long but short weeks - I better get ready.

While Kiki was napping, I flipped through my magazines and I saw a beautiful picture of rotisserie chicken tostada and knew we had to have it for dinner.  It seemed so simple, but satisfying. The chef was indifferent....I think he had a different recipe in mind with rotisserie chicken, but love prevailed ;)

The tostadas were ok, but the salsa was AMAZING!  I loved the addition of avocados, and the lime juice which made it so fresh and light!  Yum! Yum! Yum!!  I think it would be good on all kinds of things - even just with tortilla chips as a dip.

Looking through the ingredients I was convinced Kiki would love this meal but I was so wrong...She just wasn't interested. She was having more fun feeding the sous-chef. I am not sure if it was too late in a day for dinner for her, or she just didn't like it, or she knew the bottle was coming....but it drove me crazy that the chef made a great meal and she just didn't go for it...urgh!!! We better not start this whole two different dinners every night.

So I ate my plate and hers because I loved it.

I really should be going to bed as soon as possible, but I might be operating on west coast time and I think I'll do some reading - my google reader is bursting with fabulous blogs!

Recipe: Chicken Tostadas and Avocado Salsa*

Ingredients

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup chopped tomato

1/2 cup white onion

1 avocado, peeled and diced

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided

4 (6-inch) flour tortillas

2 cups shredded green leaf lettuce baby spinach

1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained

2 cups shredded boneless rotisserie chicken breast

1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco

Preparation

1. Combine the first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add tomato, onion, cilantro, and avocado; toss gently to coat.

2. Heat a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 3/4 teaspoon oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add 1 tortilla to pan; cook 1 minute on each side or until browned. Repeat procedure 3 times with remaining 2 1/4 teaspoons oil and tortillas.

3. Place 1 tortilla on each of 4 plates. Layer each tortilla with 1/2 cup baby spinach about 1/2 cup beans, 1/2 cup chicken, 1/4 cup avocado salsa.

*the chef made a few minor changes...cheese, baby spinach and no chipotle rice

Grumpy + Breeze = Good Run

Did you know that grumpiness and breezy evening make for a perfect run?!? 

The perfect run almost didn't happen tonight. I came home, snacked the whole afternoon including indulging in some ice coffee (I usually can't run after having coffee), and pretty much "argued" with Kiki which made us both very grumpy when the chef walked in. She was getting into EVERYTHING. I couldn't keep up with her messes and troubles, so when the chef walked in, I promptly handed her to him and said "Adios". 

I needed to get out of the house, breath some fresh air, clear my head and release the tension that has been building up from the day. It turns out this evening's run was my personal best since Kiki was born. It was one of those runs where I could have just continued running...I have gone back to the Galloway method and it's really helping me ease into it. It wasn't a fast run, but it was mentally easy and it really made me feel good...relaxed. I know the chef was happy to see me relaxed. 

Not only did I end up having a good run, but I had a fantastic night of sleep 6h52m (according to my Sleep Cycle) which is the perfect amount of sleep for me. As my assistant said yesterday, running is definitely cheaper than therapy and it does wonders for you :) It sure did for me.

When I came home after my glorious run - this beauty was waiting for me.

I keep saying "oh this is my favorite meal" a little too often, but this really is. I mean cashew chicken on the bed of jasmine rice - total goodness.  I simply adore jasmine rice. I could eat my weight in jasmine rice daily. The stickiness, slight sweetness and hint of coconut makes it so delightful. 

This recipe needs to be filed under easy, quick-to-prepare, flavorful dish! 

I think my favorite part, that is except the jasmine rice, are the crunchy and salty cashews. They should really be chopped up, but I much prefer them whole.

Ingredients:

1 cup rice, cooked 

1 tsp peanut oil

                                                         1 tbsp peeled and minced ginger

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/4 lbs chicken, in bitesized pieces

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

1 tbsp lime juice

1 tsp finely grated lime zest

1 cup cashew pieces

Heat oil over medium-high heat. Add ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, one minute.Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.Add salt and pepper and stir. Add broth, hoisin, and lime, stir and bring to simmer. Partially cover the man and simmer until chicken is cooked through and sauce slightly thickens, about 8-10 minutes. Serve chicken over rice and top with cashews. 

Weekly Menu for Three

It's business as usual around here . . . sort of. I am leaving for Portland on Thursday (at 6am...which really means I need to be up by 3am) but until than I am soaking up every minute of my free time with Kiki. 

Even though this is kind of out of ordinary week for us, I still did some meal planning. We recently made a change in Kiki's meal schedule where she went from eating two full meals, two 8oz milk bottles and late afternoon snack (hummus, cheese, veggies, etc) to two 5oz milk bottles, 3 smaller full meals and 1-2 snacks. Perhaps this might be normal feeding schedule for other 15 month olds, but since the chef and I usually don't eat till 8:30 or sometimes even 9pm, cooking dinner for Kiki at 5:30 or so makes into a whole new adventure of cooking [read: me cooking dinner]. The whole "issue" with me cooking dinner is that I don't cook. Well, I guess it's time for me to get in the kitchen and figure out this thing called cooking. Wish me good luck!

I really think I can do it, it's just a matter of getting in the kitchen and doing it. I want to continue healthy cooking, making sure Kiki continues on the path of good eats. I have to admit that since Kiki has been eating solids, my choices in snacks and meals has been very mindful and making sure she sees me making healthy and balanced choices.

So this week we will be eating some good dinners and I will be attempting some cooking as well. Join us for the ride, it should be a good one!

Monday: Pan fried tilapia filet + oven roasted asparagus [sprinkled with salt, drizzle of olive oil and baked in the oven on 350F for 10-12 minutes - simple and delicious]

Tuesday: Cashew chicken + jasmine rice

Wednesday: Italian sweet tomato sausage + oven roasted vegetables

Thursday: I will be in Portland, while the chef and Kiki will have the Chef's chicken stir-fry

Friday:  Not sure...the chef is in charge...I will be in Portland

Q: If you have a toddler, how do you handle dinners? How do you handle multiple meals per day...I need help...I need suggestions!

What I want NOW: Spot, spots, everywhere

The fall catalogs and magazine issues have started arriving to my house and I've been obsessing over these beauties. I want them all. I can't seem to get enough of the polka dots. They can be cute, playful and elegant. I definitely did not embrace the color blocking trend this summer, but the polka dots will play a big role in my fall attire (my favorite season in Florida). I think it's time to refresh my wardrobe.  These beauties will make a great addition, don't you agree...let's get shopping!!!

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Restaurant Review: 100 Montaditos

As I might have mentioned before, I live in a suburb…a city girl in a land of strip malls and chain restaurants, so when something new and cool pops up in my neighborhood, I jump of joy. Props to you my dear suburban neighborhood, you have joined the ranks of the “cool crowds” and welcomed what only currently exists in "hipper" areas like Midtown and the beach – welcome 100 Montaditos! 

100 Montaditos, the Madrid-based chain that features Spanish mini sandwiches at insanely reasonable prices has very recently arrived to my neighborhood! Montaditos, which means mini-sandwiches, are served on crunchy, freshly-baked rolls and filled with typical Spanish ingredients such as Serrano ham, Spanish tortilla, chorizo sausage and Iberic cheese on a choice of white, whole wheat or ciabatta rolls and all for $1 to $3.

Why 100, well because there are 100 choices on the menu served tapas-style. The menu is divided into several sections depending on price as well as "New" and "Etiqueta Negra" Montaditos. I would usually be overwhelmed with this menu, but being the type A personality I am, I picked my choices before we even got there and satisfied all my sandwich cravings.  And if you have issues with commitment and sticking to one choice, this is your place – perfect for samplings and discovering new tastes.

The chef, Kiki and I went to our local 100 Montaditos tonight (Wednesday night), when everything is a $1. Take my advice and stay home on Wednesdays and come another night. The restaurant was a nightmare – first we waited 15 minutes to place an order and than another 35 minutes to pick up our order, not an empty seat in a house (I guess that’s not a bad thing), but the staff was very pleasant and accommodating despite the rising temperatures (not sure if AC was broken or there were just too many people there). For prices ranging from $1-$3, definitely visit on a regular night to get a better experience. But I think it's a great place to be casual and hang out with friends, and munch on a variety of yummy little sandwiches.

Tonight wasn’t my first experience either, so I know how pleasant it can be. I think the whole concept of mini sandwiches at a wonderful price is pretty awesome, and on top of it, everything is so tasty and pretty.

Here is what the chef, Kiki and I shared tonight (and there are leftovers for tomorrow's lunch):

Grilled chicken and chipotle ali oli

Grilled chicken and iberico cheese

Burger, cheddar cheese, bacon and chipotle ali oli and crispy onion

Pulled BBQ Pork, blue cheese, bacon and ali oli

Asian: grilled chicken, arugula, red onion and sesame dressing

Shrimp, thousand island dressing and lettuce

Grilled chicken, bacon and coleslaw

Salmon, cream cheese, arugula and olive oil

Serrano ham, mozzarella, fresh tomato and pesto

Grilled beef, iberico cheese, arugula, red onion and honey Dijon

                                          

All in all, I am thrilled to have joined the hipster ranks and feel like one of the cool kids with a trendy foodie place in my neighborhood, which I will be visiting frequently, but not on a Wednesday night ;)

100 Montaditos Pembroke Pines

175 N Hiatus Rd
Pembroke Pines, FL 33026 

 *iPhone photo