Chicken and Avocado Pasta

My mother in law found this creamy avocado pasta recipe on pinterest. I was a little skeptical at first because it claims to be an alfredo substitute without using cream and/or eggs. hmmm...i only love eating pasta covered in creamy extra fatty goodness...but hey, i'll try it anyway, could use a healthier pasta sauce alternative...

IT.WAS.DELICIOUS! 

So good in fact that I've made it twice in the past 8 days! Though I wouldn't say it tastes like alfredo sauce, it is absolute creamy goodness with healthy-ish fats from avocado instead of just plain old bad for you heavy cream. 

Original recipe here: flourishingfoodie 

Couple notes and changes: the avocado sauce came out a bit thick after pureeing. I skipped the olive oil in the sauce and added a half to one cup of reserved pasta water to thin it out as needed. I found the roasted tomatoes really made the recipe. I used organic splendido grape tomatoes and doubled the amount of tomatoes when I made it a second time. 

I added sauteed chicken with a little red pepper to round out the meal. 

To make the chicken: 

1. Cut two chicken breasts in half and then slice across into strips
2. Salt and pepper chicken
3. Heat tablespoon of olive oil in non stick pan over med-high heat
4. Add half an onion or large shallot, chopped. 
5. Cook until onion is translucent and starting to brown
6. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1-2 tablespoons of crushed red pepper flakes
7. Stir for 30 seconds and then add chicken 
8. Let brown on one side for 3-4 minutes, turn to other side and cook until done

Oh, did i mention that this recipe was also EXTREMELY easy? Well, it was! Basically four steps: throw tomatoes in oven, boil pasta, puree avocado, saute chicken. Mix and you're done!

Buon Appetito!

(ps: so psyched to explore more recipes on the fantastic FlourishingFoodie blog!)

Aaahhhh...

Vacation in Me-ji-co

Gone with the Wind

FINISHED!

When my daughter was first born and I'd tell strangers and friends alike that her name was Scarlett, I'd receive an array of reactions all referring to the main character in Gone with the Wind.

People would immediately respond with "I just don't give a damn!" and "I'll think of that tomorrow!" One stranger old lady went so far as to say, "Well, you just gave her a name that will cause her problems the rest of her life!"

I didn't get it.

What was so bad about this Scarlett character?! Not only was my Scarlett not named after Scarlett O'Hara, but I had actually never read the book or seen the movie!

I decided I must read this book in order to understand these mostly negative references placed upon my sweet little new baby girl...

Well, after almost two years of (non-continuous) reading, I have finished Gone with the Wind!

I LOVED IT!

I'm so emotional right now!

I finished this afternoon. Ironically, I felt a little like Scarlett O'Hara herself when, with only ten pages left, my Scarlett woke up from her nap and I couldn't be bothered with her at that moment. (Eek!) I went to David, with tears streaming, "I'm almost finished and I'm crying!" He instinctively understood, and took a break from work to watch Scarlett while I read the last pages.

Wow!! All I can say is, "WOW!"

Who else has read this and wants to have a book club discussion with me?! I have so many thoughts and feelings right now!

Also, all I want to do is watch the movie immediately to see the epic story portrayed on screen, and, of course, see Vivien and Clark in action! I searched high and low on streaming video websites to no avail, and I called about 10 no-longer-in-business video stores throughout Summit County. Oh, why have all the blockbusters gone out of business?! The nearest Target and Walmart didn't have the DVDs in stock either. There is no way to watch it tonight! Waaah!

Seriously, I am crestfallen.

If I don't find a way to watch it, I will scream! But I guess I'll just have to think about that tomorrow! I must find it! I will find it, and watch it - tomorrow!

Bike ride with burley trailer

From Breck to Frisco and back. 18 miles total. 9 miles back to Breck was 95% steady uphill. Probably not that hard for some regular bikers, but it was a challenge for me. A good challenge though, felt awesome afterwards!

We have been thinking about buying a bike trailer so it was good to try the burley double out. We liked it. Kids seemed comfy and safe. Tripp slept on the ride back and Scarlett didn't want to get out when it was over, so those are positive signs.

Now I'm pumped for more bike rides with the fam. Of course I wasn't the one pulling 40 pounds of children plus weight of trailer! Great job daddyD!!

Ah, perfection

I feel SO lucky that this is my view during morning coffee for the next month!

Most handsome boy in the world?

clearly, i'd vote yes

Holding hands...

with my new favorite boyfriend.

I say this everyday, but seriously, Tripp is just pure sweetness. More in love with him every second.

Earth Day 2012: Try Compostable Diapers

Cloth diapers are the most eco-friendly, but they can be difficult. More power to the mammas who use them. I tried with Scarlett, but with frequent leaking and staining clothes, I eventually gave up. It was never easy or quick to change her and (here's my vanity) I didn't appreciate the extra bulkiness of them.

I struggled, though, because I really really wanted to make an eco-friendly diaper choice. What do the statistics say? Oh yeah, SIX THOUSAND "disposable" diapers PER child end up in landfills FOREVER. Ick!

Luckily, I found a fantastic green alternative: compostable diapers!

They work just like traditional disposable ones, but are fully biodegradable and are made without chemicals, plastic, chlorine, baby seals, etc, etc.

image via

We have tried a few different brands, and Nature Babycare is the best. The diaper is softer than traditional disposables, fit is great, breathable, made from natural and renewable materials, and can hold Scarlett sleeping 12 hours without a leak.

image via

 The Nature Babycare tag line is perfectly accurate: go green without giving up performance. 

There is only a small price difference from traditionals, and you can order in bulk from amazon for extra savings. Plus, you have that extra piece of mind for your child and the world (yay!). Nature Babycare products are also sold at stores like Whole Foods and diapers.com. I'm sure you can find some near you!

So this earth day, give compostable diapers a chance!

And let me know if you tried them!

{Another easy change is to use biodegradable wipes. These are usually less expensive or the same price as traditionals.}

Tripp's first couple weeks

Wow! He's already been here for three weeks. It seems both like it's only been an instant and like he's been with us forever at the same time. He's a pretty perfect baby; likes to eat a lot and is sleeping almost 5 hours at night. And seriously, he doesn't cry! At two week check up, he weighed 9lbs 6oz and was looking great. We've had lots of visitors and help which has been greatly appreciated. I'm feeling very lucky that things have been going so smoothly.

Here are some pictures of Tripp's first few weeks. 

In my motherly opinion, he's just pure sweetness. 

Don't you agree?

Scarlett meets Tripp

When Scarlett met Tripp, it went surprisingly better than expected. Remember, I've been very nervous about her reaction and adjustment to the baby's arrival. For the first meeting, as the veteran L&D nurse/best friend maux suggested, I was not holding Tripp when Scarlett entered the room. Instead, she came and sat on my lap and snuggled with me for a few minutes. Then daddyD brought the baby to her. Somehow she knew that this baby was special. She immediately fell in love with him and hasn't stopped saying "baby" since. Here are a few pics of her excitedly holding Tripp for the first time. And of course, we have a sweet video of her kissing him too. (I guess all the "be gentle" practicing with her dolly is paying off! Fingers crossed it continues!)

All of us couldn't be happier about our new family of four!

Her little hands rubbing his head...I melt!

(um, and it's also very surreal to see a picture of myself with my TWO children!)

Family fun time at the Austin farmer's market

Fun picnic tonight at the Austin farmer's market (wednesdays from 4-8pm in Triangle Park, at 46th and Lamar). Gorgeous night listening to live bluegrass, local farmers and vendors selling fresh produce, lots of families and kids running around.

I know there is a picture of Scarlett holding a carrot, but don't be fooled, it was only used as a vehicle to deliver hummus. The other pic with her hand in the blue corn tortilla chip bag is more accurate. I did see her try to bite the carrot at least once so I'm taking that as a step in the right direction and hoping that one day she'll eat vegetables again.

Btw, it was 85+ degrees out today! I realized that's pretty much the hottest weather I've been in in the last FIVE years. Yikes! And it's gonna be 20 degrees hotter and 10x the humidity when it really gets hot here! Oh my.

But no complaining just yet, grateful for a beautiful evening and relaxing family fun time together.

Fat Tuesday!

All my posts are about food lately...

Probably because I'm hungry and eating all the time trying to fatten up baby2 before his/her arrival FIVE weeks from today! Omg.

Feeling the creole mardi gras vibe, i was craving a beignet today. Unfortch, I couldn't find a place with good beignet reviews, so we grabbed a fat tuesday afternoon snack of berries and waffles from Dolce Vita Cafe on our way to the park nearby. We both enjoyed it thoroughly! Perfectly crisp but also gooey and warm with sweet fresh berries.

It was a yummy substitute, but even so, I couldn't help but have a tiny wish I was eating a pillow of fluffy delicious goodness from Just For You Cafe in SF. Best beignets ever!! Go there immediately if you haven't tried these before!! Seriously, go. Now.

In other mardi gras related news, daddyD and I had a raging night of watching downton abbey and deciding on what to give up until Easter. I don't always give something up for lent, but sometimes it's nice to have a personal challenge for a lil bit, ya know? This year, D's giving up cookies and ice cream and I'm giving up Facebook. It's gonna be tough for both of us!

How was your fat tuesday? Indulge in anything good? Planning on giving anything up? Let us know!

Scarlett's spring wardrobe

old navy has been my new shopping vice. i've been there twice in the past 10 days and then today i was totally reeled in with the "come back this date and we'll give you $30 off your purchase" coupon. i'm such a sucker, but look at Scarlett's new spring wardrobe. i love!

rationalizing that now we live in a warm weather climate so it's ok to buy spring/summer clothes in january. it was 72 degrees and sunny today! plus, the outfits are all very mix-and-matchy, so more bang for your buck. two for one deals on the shirts and discounts on the sweaters and shoes. worth it, right? help me out here mammas!

and here's a quick video of Scarlett doing the "trying shoes on shuffle" in the old navy store. she was very entertained and interested in the shoe section for quite some time. "shoo, shoo!" she points and squeals with delight.

baby mullet be gone!

some kids Scarlett's age have full on french braid pony tails to their mid-backs. Scarlett, unfortch, has a baby mullet. gathering it in a tiny pony doesn't really work. it either looks like a rat tail or she pulls it out instantaneously. luckily though, her baby mullet is not as bad as or intentional like these. still, it needed to be fixed.

i tried to remedy this situation with scissors before by myself, but now the baby mullet has grown back with some extra spunk due to my lacking skills. the poor thing. since i failed last time, i decided i would take a trip to the experts.

 the baby mullet: before pics
preparing for the chop at the Hair's Lair

(the fact that she was dressed in a jean jacket today was purely coincidental, but also quite fitting)

i searched the yelp reviews and found that The Hair's Lair seemed the best. bonus that it was closest to our place. it's a tiny salon run by stylist/owner, Margo (love the name!) with lots of toys and a friendly atmosphere. she was quick and obviously experienced with many pictures from happy clients decorating the wall. she definitely called me out on my prev attempt at fixing the baby mullet and instructed me not to do that again! (which i did not take offense to, it was a necessary reprimand)

Margo cut Scarlett's hair so fast I could barely get a picture of her in action, but here you can see the baby mullet has magically disappeared! the cut was a little expensive at 25 dollars, cash or check only, but i'm happy with the experience and the results. we'll be going back!

this pic doesn't really do the new 'do proper service, but it is much improved and now Scarlett has a style plan with Margo! We will keep trimming the baby mullet until her hair grows in thicker, and eventually she'll have a cute lil bob! yay! updates to follow, of course. 

and for your information: 

The Hair's Lair

1206 W 38th (and Lamar)

512-374-1700

Scarlett's new room

Scarlett is loving her new room with new play table (from gram-momo) and new toys (from nana sue). And I'm loving the new toy shelves (from me) to create a little organization in the new room. 

P'kolina chalk board play table and two benches - easily reversible table top with chalk board on one side and white on the other. storage bin for easy place to store crayons, markers, paper, craft things, etc. Scarlett loves sitting on the benches! Thank you gram-momo!

image via

thank you nana sue for the wooden blocks and toy set, but i don't know what the brand is so i can't give it proper credit right now! Scarlett's been building lots of towers these days.

Tot Tutors toy organizer with storage bins - thank you maux for carrying it out of target for this pregomamma and thank you daddyD for putting it together so quickly. comes in either white wood or natural color and a few different storage bin color combination options. i'm loving it more than one big toy chest because you can keep the blocks together, the musical instruments together; everything has it's spot!

I'm loving Scarlett's new digs and set up. happy to have a wee bit more room for activities and playtime in our new home.

Scarlett's favorite game: running in circles!

Scarlett has discovered that if all the doors are open, she can go from her bedroom into the living room then into the bathroom  and back into her bedroom, which is also connected to the bathroom. A perfect circle for a 17 month old to run around and around for HOURS!

c'mon, moms, any activity that lasts longer than 10 minutes seems like hours, right? well, this activity really has lasted hours before. it's her favorite!

but what could possibly be even more fun than walking around in circles? oh, i'll tell you. being chased around in circles. and then having mamma sneak around the other way and surprise you! her laughter was insane; she was squealing and giggling in delight having the best.time.ever!

a few times she fell because she was so excited

but i'm ok mamma! so much fun!

it was just a coincidence that Scarlett was wearing her "little miss giggles" shirt the day i decided to take pictures of our regular evening routine. (and please indulge a proud happy mamma who is posting too many pictures of the same exact thing. i told you this activity lasted hours!)

three product make-up routine for the busy mamma

since there is barely time to brush my teeth in the morning with Scarlett running around, putting on make-up has become a seriously low priority. but then i'd catch some glimpses of myself in the windows or bathroom mirrors and be horrified by my lackluster pale complexion mixed with red spots and tired eyes. blah! so now i've recently stepped it up a notch by putting on a little makeup in the morning.  i've dwindled down my make-up routine to using only three products for time efficiency. it is so fast and easy, plus makes me look (and feel) about a thousand times better (slash not like a zombie mom) that it's worth the 30 seconds it take to apply! and i seriously don't feel like i need to use anything else. it lasts all day too! when david comes home after i've had a full and exhausting day with Scarlett, he still says i look pretty, so that's good enough for me! try it, you'll like it!

3 product make-up routine:

1. You Rebel Tinted Moisturizer by Benefit

image via

provides three steps in one: great tinted coverage, good moisturizer that isn't greasy, and SPF 15! how could you ask for more? available in regular and lite shades. if i'm really in a hurry this is all i'll put on. it covers redness, pimples and dark eye circles easily and evenly. it's expensive though. i normally wouldn't pay $30 for a moisturizer, but i tried my friend meghann's and it was truly amazing. i forked over the dough and have not been disappointed. in fact, i LOVE it!

2. Colossal Volume Express Mascara by Maybelline

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seriously triples your lashes in volume and length. make my eyes stand out, incredible difference with and without it. sometimes i like to put it on one eye first for a second and can't believe the difference. doesn't smudge, lasts all day. available in regular and waterproof. i've tried both and prefer the regular. and it's really inexpensive, available at your local drugstore. bonus!

3. Benetint Rose-Tinted Lip and Cheek Stain by Benefit

image via

i used to be very skeptical of this product. it comes in a nail polish bottle but i put it on my face? i just didn't quite get it. but now i'm a convert and i'm obsessed. two little dabs on each cheek, rub in on cheek bones and upwards with finger tip like you would apply blush. it's the perfect color, it stays all day long, does not come off on your cell phone or clothes, and adds the perfect little bit of cherry apple brightness to your cheeks that sleep-deprived mammas need (desperately). you can put some on your lips too for a little color. just make sure you wash your hands immediately after because it will leave a stain on your finger tips. it comes in posietint (poppy color) and chachatint (mango color) as well. I've tried those shades too but prefer the original rose tint the best, seems the most natural i think, and smells like delicious roses. again, this is more expensive than i usually like to spend on makeup, but a teeny tiny bit goes a long way so it seems like this bottle will last me forever!

well, i hope you try these and find them as great and easy as i do! i just love that it's only three steps. if you have any other quick beauty tips for the busy mamma, leave a comment and let me know. I need all the help i can get!

Best. Mamma. Moment.

I put Scarlett to bed tonight following our usual night time routine: dinner, bath, pajamas, drink milk, brush teeth, read books, bed.

The one difference from tonight though was that as I was giving her final squeezy hugs and hundreds of kisses before laying her in the crib the following happened: She abruptly pushed away from me, pulled her pacifier out of her mouth, puckered her lips and smacked a big smooch right on my lips!

Then she wrapped her tiny arms around my neck in a perfect squeeze and laid her head on my shoulder. This lasted about 5 seconds as my heart melted into mushy goo on the floor. She then just as quickly pushed away again, huge smile on her face and popped her pacie back in her mouth.

This was all a first for her (and me too, obviously)

I walked out of the room, barely able to breathe and about died from the Best. Mamma. Moment. EVER!!!

i can't stop laughing, give me Moore!

how have i never read any of this before? tracy moore is my new fave mom-author-cynical genious. do you think she wants to be my new best friend?

backstory: i recently told my friend beth a story about a mean old humpback at whole food's bistro who was none too delighted at Scarlett's baby babble pointing and screaming tactic to get your attention. (which is a whole 'nother pain in my arse these days, but i digress). despite it's fancy nomiker, wholefies b (as i like to call it) is a cafe opening up to a grocery store, not a michelin rated french establishment or a funeral home where silence and best behavior are expected; children discouraged.

boring story short, the woman turned around with a squinchy face and said, "hhm, it's getting a little difficult..." as she squinched her nose at Scarlett. i don't know what squinch means, perhaps i just made it up, but it's the only word to describe her contorted face, squinched with disgust at my baby.  i stared at her for second because she didn't actually finish her sentence...she noticed and repeated herself, "it's getting a little difficult..."

what's getting difficult, lady? oh, oh, i could tell you what's difficult!...but i kind of have a headache and just want to get to the better part of this blog post...plus, Scarlett was being a little difficult.

fast forward to why i can't stop laughing: last night, beth emailed me an aprapos article entitled, "where, exactly, is it okay to take your kid?", written by Moore, which lists whole foods as an universally innapropriate place to take your kid. touche.

this led me to jezebel, and a pleothora of articles written by moore and other brillantly hysterical commentators on motherhood, pregnancy, pooping and the like under jezebel's motherload subheading. I kept wanting more and more, she's so damn funny! and more importantly, so damn TRUE! spot on, i tell you. hysterical. go read immediately! GO!

some of my favorites (and new anthems on life and motherhood) are listed below:

• how to befriend cool people when you've got a baby 
• how i got all precious about daycare
• pregnant and pulling a deuce, because i can
• motherhood more depressing than ever!  

i'll be checking back frequently for more laughs for sure. you?
now, how to deal with what's getting a little difficult...

 oh, and squinch is a word!



motivation!

the san francisco half marathon is THIS sunday!
been trying to psych myself up, but instead feel like i'm psyching myself out...ah!
but i'm really excited, nervous, scared and happy to be doing my first half marathon EVER!

we strarted our training in early may with hal higdon's novice training schedule
with my eratic work schedule and long hours, plus prev planned summer vacations,
sticking to the schedule got a little sticky at times, but we did our best!

not gonna lie that there were more than a few text message convos as follows:

margy: are we running tomorrow?
mags: of course! 6am?
margy: perf, text me when you leave
mags: great, see you then
{next morning}
margy: are you up?
mags: nope

BUT

we actually did a great job training

we got all of our long runs in, either together or

with the help of sisters, cousins, brothers, husbands

{thanks everyone!}

and i'm really surprised with myself and feel good about starting at 3 miles back in may

and thinking it was sooo hard to running 10 miles last monday and feeling great

here are some pics of one of our longer runs

also first time running over the golden gate bridge!

and first time eating gu!

which for you non-runners, gu (pronounced goo) is exactly the consitency that it sounds like

and you have to eat it on long runs to replace electrolytes and sugar.

obvs, i was a little skepical. ick.

(however, i really did feel better and reenergized post gu)

trying to take a running partners shot, but i was still mid-gu-swallow

please try not to pay attention to my awk pose (i think i was too hot and sweaty to have skin to skin contact with myself) and instead focus on the gorgeous day the and GGB!

alright, a little trip down memory training lane is helping with my motivation for sunday. i know i can finish, i'm more worried about finish time and keeping pace and not pooping out in the end but also pushing myself and...

oh! i just can't wait to give baby Scarlett a big smooch when i cross that finish line!

any tips or motivation greatly appreciated!

see you at the finish line!