Thursday, August 30, 2012

TASTY THURSDAY

So I have soooo many recipes that I have pinned on pinterest so I decided I should start trying some of them out for dinner. Tonight I made Cheesy Quinoa. I must admit I was a little skeptical because I haven't heard much about Quinoa. But, I thought I'd give it a shot. And you know what.. it turned out really good. I tweaked the recipe a little bit because I couldn't find just one leek.. so I used shallots. I think next time I make it, I'm going to put broccoli in it. I've been doing weight watchers so for those counting points.. for 1 serving it was 8 points. Not bad... I paired it with some steamed broccoli and I was satisified after dinner. I think the eggs, cheese, and milk help give it some sustenance. Anyways.. here are some pics and the recipe.
 
 
It kind of had like a really moist cornbready type texture. I really liked it!
 
CHEESY QUINOA
Serving Size: Serves 6
Ingredients
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 med. leek white and pale green parts halved and sliced (1 cup)-OR chives are fine too
  • 1/2 cup diced tomato, or red/green pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed and drained (OR you can just use pre-cooked and cut back on the water and cooking time)
  • good pinch of salt
  • a few grinds of seasoning salt
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups of water (or stock)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup soy milk, non-fat milk, or milk of choice
  • 1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, more for sprinkling- NOTE: (You may find you need more cheese, BUT I use this amount to still keep the dish 'lighter' yet very flavorful.)
  • Optional- Crushed Red Pepper, Panko Bread crumbs for topping
  • Toppings (optional)- salsa, hot sauce, sour cream, scallions (you get the picture)
Directions
  1. Heat oil in med. saucepan over med. heat. Add leek and tomatoes (or bell peppers-or any veggies you want really); cover and cook 5 mins or until tender. Stir in quinoa and garlic, and cook, uncovered, 3-4 mins, or until grains start to turn opaque. (They will not fully be cooked yet.)
  2. Add 3 cups water (or stock) and season with salt and the Seasoning Salt (I like Lawry's or Everyday Seasoning). Cover and reduce heat to med-low and simmer 15-20 mins or more, (depends and also what kind of quinoa you use) or until most liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand 5 mins.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat 13x9 inch dish with cooking spray. Whisk together eggs and milk in large bowl. Fold in quinoa mixture and cheese (if you feel you need more cheese, add here.) Stir very well and let some of the cheese melt. (Will seem a little "soupy", do not worry, it will all mold together.)
  4. Transfer to prepared baking dish and if using Panko Crumbs or Bread crumbs, add now. You can also sprinkle a bit more cheese on now if you prefer for topping. Bake 25-35 mins, (or until browned around edges.)
  5. Now you can toss with many toppings, some ideas: salsa, scallions, sour cream, and hot sauce! I serve with a side of steamed broccoli or a salad and a nice slice of good hearty bread. ( I didn’t put extra cheese or toppings and it was still yummy!!)
NOTE: 339 Calories per serving or 8 points (weight watchers
 
 

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Our New House!

We finally got into our house!!! I'm super excited if you couldn't tell! I've been waiting 3 weeks to have all my stuff and to see this house. We weren't sure if we were gonna get the keys or not on Saturday. So we get up that morning and we were supposed to meet the realtor to pick up our mail because we thought we were gonna get in the house the week before so we got the gas and eletricity set up so we would have power and stuff when we moved in but then we didn't get in. Shaun had sent some books to the house too and he needed them for school so we met her on Saturday to pick up the mail and we were hoping the keys.. And we got them .. which I was so excited about because Shaun started school on Monday and I really wanted to get everything at least in the house before Monday. So as soon as we got the keys we started trying to find people to help us but we were having a hard time finding people. Most weren't available until later around 3. So we ran to Costco and got our bed and diapers and some basics like TP and grapes of course.. Then the boys got everything from the storage unit to the house. Then we went to a wedding right after that and spent the night at Grammy's one last night because we didn't have anything set up. Sunday we went to my cousin's Kyle's ward because he was being ordained to be an Elder. Then we had lunch with the fam and put kids down for a nap while Shaun took all the stuff from Grammy's house to our house. Then we went to our house and set up beds and slept. Shaun got up Monday early and went to school and I unpacked all day got everything unpacked and put away except for the kid's room and bathroom which I did today. I worked so hard and I'm glad I did because it's so nice to feel like I'm living in my home! I've only been here for 3 days and it already feels like home. I love that feeling!!!
He was getting mad because he didn't want me to go back to packing. He was needing me by the end of the day. But I'm glad I got everything done!!  


Savannah was happy as usual. She got into everything while I was unpacking. It made for a little more work but I can't be mad at that cute little face!


Eating in our new kitchen!


Jake is OBSESSED with "Buzz" (Toy Story). He climbed into a box and watched Toy Story for like the 300th time since we moved to Vegas!! Seriously.. in the morning he says "Mommy" and then "Buzz!" :-)
This room is right by the front door. We didn't really wanna put one of the kids up here so we decided to make it into the playroom/missionary shrine!! I really like the idea of letting the kids play and then I can close the door.. It's nice not to have toys in the family room!!



This is the little area next to the kitchen for our table. I like that it's kind of separated from the kitchen and the rest of the house. I'm keeping an eye for something to put on the wall or I was thinking about some drapes or something eventually for the windows. Who knows?


View of the kitchen from the table area!

I love all the counter space! I will be able to make cinnamon rolls without too much difficulty!

I'm having a hard time with this area because it's not really a room. It's like a little nook off to the side of the family room. I'm thinking about getting another table to put against that wall and making it my craft table or something like that! I don't know yet!

I love this! It was already here when we got here. It's nice to have a place to put pictures and stuff!!

The family room! There are a lot of mirrors in the house!

Our bathroom!! two sinks and the toliet is separate!! Oh yeah!!

Walk-in closet!  Oh yeah! It came with the shelves and everything!

Our new bed! We got a really good deal. And it's a King!! Hopefully it'll turn out better than our old bed!

The kid's bathroom!!

BEST THING EVER!!!!
I have a washer and dryer!! It's so nice to be able to do laundry whenever I want!!

I forgot to take a pic of the kids' room but Savannah and Jake are sleeping together and they are did pretty good the first night but Monday night she woke up at 2 am so Shaun brought her in the bed with us. I woke up to go to my tutoring job this morning and I just had to take this cute pic. I love how her feet are propped up on his belly!! LOVE!! P.S. I have a tutoring job twice a week that pays $30 an hour and Shaun is selling pest control again and got 2 sales on his first day! I think that Vegas will turn out to be alright after all!! :-)

AND... I haven't seen another scorion.. I'm hoping it stays that way!!! :-)

AND.. A friend of mine asked for pictures of the outside.. So I took a pic of the kids room to add and then of the back, side, and front of the house!!!
Jake and Savannah's bedroom. I have some ideas for decorating their room. There is a Goodwill less than half a mile from our house. I'm sure I will find some stuff there to make their room look super cute!!

The backyard is all done and everything!! It's nice to not have to worry about doing it.. I just have to keep it up!!

The patio is nice and long!! I'm sure it'll be perfect for backyard parties!! I'm excited!

I'm still not used to not having grass in the backyard but Jake is having a blast with the rocks!!

Another view of the back patio!!

A little waterfall. I have to figure out how to get it going. Everything is hooked up on a dripline so it's nice that I don't have to worry about watering stuff.. but the tenant before us had a bunch of pots and took all the driplines out so now I have to figure out what to do with them!!

The side yard!!!

Walking up to the front door!!

Outside of the house!!

Another view!!! I love the palm trees!! Wish there was grass but not really because then we would have to water that too!! :-)

Friday, August 10, 2012

Water is the best!!




So my kids have been going crazy being cooped up in the house. It's been over 100 degrees every day since we've been her. We were gonna take this kids to the park but the equipment was all so hot that we decided to go swimming in Aunt Vickie's pool! We are lucky to have family here with a pool! Jake and Savannah both love the water. Savannah just splashes to her heart's content.. She doesn't even care that she's covering her face with water. Jake does pretty good with his floaties on too. He just swims away!!
 
We couldn't get both of the to look at the camera!! Oh well!!



My kiddos love their baths!! It's kind of fun now that they both can sit up and play in the bath. I just have to be careful that Jake doesn't try to sit on Savannah. For the most part, they just splash each other!! It's a lot of fun!!




Last day in Sacramento

So it finally happened. We finally got everything packed and onto the trailer. Shaun's cousin was nice enough to drive down to California with his Dad's trailer so we wouldn't have to rent a truck. It saved us a lot of money but we had to get rid of our couches to make room for everything. We are going to miss all of our friends and family in California. We are excited though for what adventure lies ahead of us in Vegas. So on Saturday after everything was packed Shaun took off and I was left to do a last sweep through. My friend Christina had our kids and I sat and looked around our apartment and remembered all of the good times we had there. We brought both of our babies home for the first time here and we have had so many amazing memories. I don't like to cry so in all the goodbyes I  kept back the tears.. I kept saying I'll see you at Christmas and it somehow softened the blow. But after everything was packed I went back to the house to sweep through once last time. Then, I gave our keys to the manager and I walked out of the door and towards Christina's house and I just broke down and started crying. I didn't want to leave and I knew it was going to be hard. I don't really know how to explain it but it feels like I grew up a lot in the first 2 years of our marriage and a lot had happened to me and I was having a hard time imagining any other place as home. I sure hope it doesn't take too long to settle into Vegas. I think it will get better once we get into our place and I can get back to some kind of normalcy. I feel like this is where I should be but it doesn't feel like home yet. I hope it will with time and I can't wait until that time comes.
This is her "I'm just chillin, Mom" face!! Waiting for bed time.. LAst night in our house!!


Playing with the kids once last time on the trailer!!

I couldn't get Jett or Jake to look at the camera!! Bummer!