Tag Archives: family

Random Thoughts about a Swelled Head, a Shrinking Waist and a Princess Problem

Posted on by Run DMT
4

Marathon TrainingIn the past few weeks, Run DMT has been spotlighted on several websites and it’s giving me a big head.

Marathon Training Schedule compiled a list of top running blogs and Run DMT is #64.  Then, RN Central.com  shared 50 Inspiring Blogs for Your Post-Pregnancy Weight Loss and Run DMT is #5 on the list.  How exciting is that?!

I’m flattered to be considered an “inspiration” to others for post-partum weight-loss and I hope yours is going better than mine because I’m sill struggling to lose the last of my baby weight 19 months later. What’s that old pregnancy rule of thumb for weight-loss? Nine months up, nineteen months down?  That sounds about right.

Five unflattering pounds are still sticking around from my pre-pregnancy weight but I don’t put a whole heck of a lot of value on the scale since most of my old clothes are fitting me.

So the numbers on the scale are not dropping but I am definitely toning and shrinking inches, thanks to our Love My Abs Challenge.  If you haven’t been following along, you should go over there RIGHT NOW and check it out!  Each week, I’ve been sharing photos and a brief recap of my progress.

Tomorrow, we’re moving onto to Week 4 and 200 reps, but it’s not too late to join in the fun.  Even if you fell off the wagon, you can simply start over at 100 reps at Week 1. It’s not about how many reps or how long, but more about making a commitment to a better you.

Speaking of wagons, I will be catching a carriage ride over to Orlando this weekend for the Disney’s Princess Half Marathon.  I don’t feel prepared at all for this race, but it has nothing to do with training.  I still haven’t figure out what to wear!

Should I be Belle or Tiana? 

Both princesses are equally smart, brave, fearless, beautiful and good role models for my girls (next to their mom, of course).  But…
If I dress as Belle, I’ll wear a yellow running skirt, matching yellow top, a tiara and carry a red rose.

If I dress as a Tiana, I’ll wear a green top, green shorts and a magnolia rhinestone hair clip in my hair.  I wanted to find a green tutu to wear over my shorts, but I haven’t had any luck yet. 

As any stylish, runner (a.k.a stunner ) will tell you, tiaras and tutus are a must for any Disney Princess race.  I think what I wear will be a game time decision, but I would love to hear your vote: Belle or Tiana?

The girls have the Gasparilla Jr. Race on Saturday. Next year, Liam will be old enough to run the Gasparilla Jr with Emmalynn, but this is Allana’s last year to run it as she’s getting too old for it now.  The thought of it makes me all melancholy, but she’s moving on to bigger distances with her mom.

And who knows maybe she’ll run a Princess race with me someday.  Then she can be Belle and I’ll be Tiana!  There. Problem solved.  Hopefully, by then I would have found a green tutu or made one or bought one of these shnazzy sparkly skirts.  A runner mom can dream, can’t she?  Like a wise mouse once told me, “If you dream it, you can do it.”

And now for my running stats!

I suffered from a stomach bug for two days after the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon, but I think the forced rest helped me run under 30 minutes for the first time in nearly a year.

2/15

3.1 miles

Time 29:35

Ave Pace 9:33

Max Pace 7:31

 

2/16

4 miles

Time 41:09

Ave Pace 10:17

Max Pace 7:59

 

2/18

6 miles

Time 1:13:27

Ave Pace 11:51

Max Pace 8:56

 

2/21

3.1 miles

Time 30:21

Ave Pace 9:48

Max Pace 7:06

 *Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Chicken-Mushroom {and Spinach} Quesadillas

Posted on by Run DMT
8

PhotobucketIt seems that I’m on a bit of a spinach kick.

But after having my wisdom teeth pulled, I was craving greens.  I seriously missed salad, fruit and any other good for you food.

So imagine my foodie thrill when I found this quesadilla recipe in a cookbook I stole…er I mean…borrowed from MIL.

My MIL (a great cook) has stacks upon stacks of cookbooks and every time I visit her, I ask to borrow one.  She’d be happy to know that her cookbooks are being used, loved and becoming very soiled.   I always say a clean cookbook is a wasted cookbook and one that gets donated to the public library.

Stealing the cookbook, So Easy, from my MIL was a true treat as we’ve tried several  easy recipes and they’ve all been delicious and a HUGE hit with every Taylor, from the tiny one to the oldest one and everyone in between.

This quesadilla recipe will be a regular rotating meal on the menu, for sure.  And funny enough, they’ve been so easy to make!

Without going into a big review of the cookbook, I just want to add that I absolutely love the nutritional information listed alongside each recipe.  With trying to eat health and watch my cholesterol, that information is so helpful!

This quesadilla recipe calls for “cooked chicken” and Krieger recommends keeping pre-cooked chicken on hand whether it’s rotisserie chicken or packaged chicken found in the refrigerator section of your grocery store.  For the purpose of this recipe, I pounded out two chicken breasts and sautéed them in a little olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.

Also, the original recipe calls for whole wheat tortillas, but my kids won’t eat them.  I used white, but I’m sure any flavor would work well with the filling.

Chicken-Mushroom {and Spinach} Quesadillas

Ingredients

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 large onion chopped

8 ounces white mushrooms, coarsely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups cooked diced skinless boneless chicken breasts

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp dried oregano

2 cups baby spinach leaves, coarsely chopped

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp ground black pepper

4 – 10 inch flour tortillas

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

Heat oil in a large skillet over a medium heat.  Add onions and sauté until soft.  Add mushrooms and cook until mushroom water has evaporated and they begin to brown, 5-7 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook for a minute.  Add chicken and spices and stir until all spices are incorporated.  Add spinach, salt and pepper and cook until spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes.

Lay tortillas on an electric griddle on a low heat (or prepare a large skillet with cooking spray).  Sprinkle half the tortilla with 2 Tbsp of shredded cheese. Using a slotted spoon, top each tortilla with ¼ cup of chicken filling over the cheese.  Then, add sprinkle another Tbsp shredded cheese over the filling.  Fold the tortilla over to make half-moons, pressing down lightly to seal them closed.  After about 2 minutes, flip tortilla and heat other side for about two minutes.

Slice each quesadilla in half.  Serve with sour cream and salsa.

Thanks for joining our weekly Friday Food Fight! Can’t wait to see what everyone is flinging this week!



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Kiss Me

Posted on by Run DMT
11

For this week’s Music Monday, I’m co-hosting with Xmas Dolly and her Monday’s Music Moves Me crew: Lorie, Stacy, Callie and Cathy.  These ladies are such wonderful, supportive people and I am THRILLED to be part of this with them!

And what better way to show my love and appreciation then with a kiss? I mean, it’s Valentine ’s Day and all.  Well, how about a juicy, wet kiss from Little Lion Man?

He’s refined his kiss a bit since the holidays.  Now, he can blow you a kiss…

…with a little smack of a sound at the end. Muwah!

How stinking cute is that?! Don’t you just want to smother him with kisses?

Now it’s your turn. What love songs have you hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat?
Show some Music Monday/MMMM love and join our linky party. Be sure to visit our spotlight dancers also, Introducing Mr. Cool and I Made It Through the Rain

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Spinach Empanadas

Posted on by Run DMT
13

PhotobucketThree weeks after my wisdom teeth extraction and I’m still on a forced soft foods diet and probably will be for another three weeks since my steenky holes are slow to heal and still pretty sensitive. *sigh*

Besides losing weight, another upside to my soft diet is that it’s forcing Iron Chef Allan and me to think beyond our family favorite menu staples.  During the process, we’ve dusted off some long forgotten cookbooks to find new dishes to try.  This Williams-Sonoma Spinach Empanada recipe was found in one of those dusty old cookbooks, The Best of Taste.  While rediscovering this cookbook, I found a few more recipes I’d like to sink my teeth gums into and if they’re tasty, you’ll find them here on Fridays for my weekly Friday Food Fight.

Although the recipe calls for pastry dough, I opted to use the empanada dough found in the freezer section of my supermarket.

Oh and see those yummy crispy edges?  Um yeah, about that…I couldn’t eat that part but the dough and filling was yummy for my gummy!

Spinach Empanadas

Ingredients

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 red onion, finely chopped

1 Tbsp garlic, finely chopped

2 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced

½ lb spinach, chopped

¼ cup pine nuts

1 hard-boiled egg, peeled and chopped

½ tsp ground nutmeg

Salt

Fresh ground pepper

1 package of frozen empanada dough (10 count)

Directions

In skillet, heat olive oil over a medium heat.  Cook onion until soft, stirring often.  Add garlic and cook for about 1 minute.

Add tomatoes and cook until softened, about five minutes.

Add pine nuts and spinach.

Cook until spinach wilts, about five minutes.  Remove from heat.  Stir in chopped egg and nutmeg. Salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 350.

Spray baking sheet lightly with cooking spray.  Using a slotted spoon, add 1 Tbsp of filling to each round.

Lay on flat surface and fold dough in half.  Pinch edges with fork prongs to seal.

Carefully move filled empanada to baking sheet and brush with olive oil.  Then, repeat steps with remaining empanada rounds.

Bake for 25 minutes or until slightly golden brown on edges.

Serve plain, with side of aioli or a dash of Tabasco hot sauce. (I served mine with a cup of homemade tomato soup, but I’ll tell you all about that next week.)
‘
Thanks for joining our weekly Friday Food Fight! Can’t wait to see what everyone is flinging this week!


*Also shared at*

I’m a Sucker for Pinterest

Posted on by Run DMT
15

Pinned ImageAs you know, Pinterest is my guilty pleasure. It truly is like getting a new magazine in the mail every day.  Not that kind of magazine, silly!  Sheesh.  Get your mind out of the gutter!

For me, it’s like Shape, Runner’s World, Better Homes and Gardens, Food Network Magazine and Family Fun all rolled into one happy space.  But I didn’t realize how literal that was until I stumbled upon this awesome Valentine’s Day idea. 

How adorable and creative are these Valentine’s Day cards?  It sure beats the perforated, punch out Sponge Bob stupid pun cards my kids would beg me to buy.

And it’s no wonder because the blogger behind this idea, Design Mom, was featured in the February issue of Family Fun magazine.

So when you’re flipping through Family Fun and you wonder, “Who are all these amazing moms?” All those amazing, creative moms, dads, grandparents and teachers do indeed exist and can be found on Pinterest.  So go follow them (and me too)!

And then you can try to replicate their ingeniousness like I did.

I started with a photo shoot…

…and a tiny bit of tweaking and editing in Picnik (which I will not be happy to lose on April 19) to add the text “Valentine, I’m a sucker for you.”

Then, a few small cuts for a heart-shaped lollipop and voila!

Our classmates’ cards are complete.

Thank you Family Fun Magazine Design Mom Pinterest!

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogue

Chicken Pot Stickers for Chinese New Year

Posted on by Run DMT
6

PhotobucketGung Hay Fat Choy!

Did you know that Chinese New Year is a 15-day long celebration?

That’s 15 more reasons to eat Chinese food!

Of course, I didn’t cook 15 Chinese dishes, but I did serve my family Chinese Chicken Pot Stickers this week, which are always a huge hit with my family.

The preparation is a bit time consuming (about an hour), but if my whole family eats without complaint, then it’s totally worth it.

I’ve modified the Steamy Kitchen recipe to include ground chicken, because we prefer chicken and we typically don’t eat pork.  Also, my local supermarket doesn’t carry dumpling skins, so I use wonton wraps, which seem to work fine.  The pleating part gets a bit tricky, though.

Of course using the wonton wrappers, I make way more dumplings than my family could ever eat in one sitting, but they are great leftovers.

One of these days I’ll visit an Asian market to buy dumpling skins to make real Chinese Pot Stickers.  But for now, this will have to do.  Like I said already, it works and it’s just as tasty too.

(By the way, that’s Hot and Sour Soup in the background from our local Chinese take-out restaurant.  I have yet to learn how to make that.)

 

Chinese Chicken Pot Stickers

Ingredients
1 package of frozen dumpling skins, defrosted overnight in refrigerator or 40 minutes room temp (Do not microwave or set in water.)
1 pound ground chicken
3 stalks green onions, cut into 2 inch sections
1/2 cup canned bamboo shoots, drained and rinsed
1 garlic clove
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 tablespoon rice wine (or dry sherry)
2 Tbsp canola oil
¼ cup water

For the slurry
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water in a small bowl water

Dipping Sauce
1 teaspoon Asian chili sauce
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon rice wine vinegar

Directions
In a food processor, add the chicken, green onions, garlic, ginger and bamboo shoots and pulse several times.  Then, in a large bowl, combine soy sauce, salt, cornstarch, ginger, rice wine.  Add chicken mixture and combine well.

Spoon 1 teaspoon of the filling onto dumpling skin. With your finger, dab a bit of the cornstarch slurry around the edges of the dumpling skin. Fold over and press to secure edges. Make sure edges are sealed tightly. Shape the dumpling so that it has a flat bottom. Cover loosely with plastic wrap so that it doesn’t dry out.

When ready to cook, heat a large nonstick pan with canola oil over medium-high heat.  (I use an electric griddle.) When the oil is hot but not smoking, add the dumplings, flat side down to the pan. Let fry for 1 minute until the bottoms are light golden brown.

Pour 1/4 cup of water into the pan and immediately cover with a tight fitting lid. Turn heat to medium and let the dumplings steam for 3 minutes. Open lid and let the remaining liquid cook off about 1 minute. Cut into a dumpling to make sure that the filling is cooked through.

Remove to plate covered with paper towel to drain excess oil and water.

Wipe the pan clean with paper towels (or wash) and repeat with remaining dumplings.

Serve with dipping sauce. (Serves 6-8)

Thanks for joining our weekly Friday Food Fight.  Link up and see what everyone else is flinging this week.  



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More Gasparilla Booty

Posted on by Run DMT
15

I captured so many great photos from the Gasparilla Children’s Parade and I wanted to share some more,  If you missed my previous Gasparilla post, gather ’round to hear the tale again, me hearties.

Love You Like a Love Song Earwig

Posted on by Run DMT
11

Every time Selena Gomez and the Scene’s song plays on the radio, my kids yell and beg from the back of the mini-van for me to turn it up.  It’s a cute song, so I don’t mind.  Like an 80s throwback, it’s got a good beat and it’s easy to dance to you.  Even the video is an 80s throwback.


 
And much like the bubble pop music of the 80s, this song will get stuck in my head for days. At least the lyrics are sweet so I don’t mind when they keep re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-petaing in my head (except when that part plays over and over in my head).

It’s been said and done
Every beautiful thought’s been already sung
And I guess right now here’s another one
So your melody will play on and on, with the best of ‘em
You are beautiful, like a dream come alive, incredible
A centerfold miracle, lyrical
You’ve saved my life again
And I want you to know baby

I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby

And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby

And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

Constantly, boy you played through my mind like a symphony
There’s no way to describe what you do to me
You just do to me, what you do
And it feels like I’ve been rescued
I’ve been set free
I am hypnotized by your destiny
You are magical, lyrical, beautiful
You are… And I want you to know baby

I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby

And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby

And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

No one compares
You stand alone, to every record I own
Music to my heart that’s what you are
A song that goes on and on

I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby

And I keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby

I love you…like a love song…

When I really listened to the lyrics, I realized the song could be so much better than a bubble-gum pop hit.  If someone slowed it down and sang a more soulful version of it with just an acoustic guitar, you would then hear the beauty in the love song.

Surely, someone has figured that one out already.  I couldn’t be the only one.  (Nope, I’m not and don’t call me Shirley.)  

Although the volume of the video is very low, Dena’s version is definitely worth listening to, so crank it up.


 
I even found a tutorial guitar lesson, which I was sure to pass along to my guitar playing hubby.  Maybe he’ll serenade me for Valentine’s Day.

For that, I’ll love him like a love song and I’ll keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat.



Visit Xmas Dolly and Hairbows & Guitar Picks for more Music Monday fun.

Gasparilla and The Great Bead Booty

Posted on by Run DMT
19

Argggh!
There be a pirate invasion once again in Tampa.

Aye, wearing snarls and yielding swords, me krewe set sail upon the Black Pearl in search of treasure known as The Great Bead Booty.

The Great Bead Booty be the gem of all the scurvy pirates at the Gasparilla Children’s Parade.  The secret, me hearties, is to keep ye good eye on all that is casted from the krewes that sail along Bayshore as ye never know what treasures lie in front of ye.

Be it beads or candy, scurvy pirates need to be ready. Aye, that be the story of how Captain Madre got hit in the head with a Tootsie Roll  some pirates lose an eye and are forever cursed to wear a patch.

Even me youngest scallywag found treasure…

 

…and tried to steal some more.

Legend tells, some pirates hunt for treasures of giant burritos.

But one scallywag set her sights on cotton candy only to have her plan foiled when Mean Captain Madre grunted, “No” and threatened a long walk off a short plank if she didn’t become a jolly pirate.

Then, a loud thunderous boom shook the land as Jose Gaspar’s ship invaded and began firing cannons.  But we did not withdraw, me hearties!  Aye, the Great Bead Booty was still ours for the taking!

After hours upon the bay, our voyage had ended and the time had come to find a new destination to feed me hungry krewe. Aye and motley krewe we be.

Until next year, Gaspar!  ARRRRRRGGH!

PhotoStory Fridaythe hollie rogueUnknown Mami

They Have a Dream

Posted on by Run DMT
11

The girls had Monday off from school, but I wanted it to be more than a long weekend.  I feel it’s important to understand why we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Every year, we observe the holiday by watching Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.  Then, we discuss it and follow it up with a writing activity.  When I saw this MLK writing activity floating around Pinterest, I thought it would be a great extension to our usual MLK activities.

After we watched the speech, we discussed what Dr. King’s dream was for our country.  Did Dr.King’s dream become a reality?  Are all people treated equally today?  What’s your dream? 

When Emmalynn said her dream was to be a pony, I realized I needed to clarify the question, “What’s your dream?”  I explained to Emmalynn, “It’s not a dream that you have when you sleep.  It’s a hope for the future of the world or for others.”

What’s your dream for the community or the world?  

She understood the difference and wrote a wonderful response.

“My dream is to help the world.  I would help people by making sure that they have homes, families and don’t get separated.”

I love Allana’s dream too.

 

Aren’t they beautiful girls with big, beautiful dreams for the world?  And speaking of beautiful girls, my niece, Meghan, joined us for our MLK fun.  You can read about Meghan’s dream here.