The Big Bad Momma Is Trying New Things!

It has once again been quite a while since I have posted.... Im not too good at this whole blogging thing apparently! :) Anyway.... on to the important stuff! We have made some necessary changes in our house in the last few months.... mostly due to planning for little Jackson. Though necessary, these changes have not exactly been easy. One of these changes was to eat at home every night. As many people know, I hate to cook normally and I have been more tired and less motivated than usual since I have been pregnant. All I wanted to do was go out to eat every day and not have to worry about it. I would beg and beg and rave about my coupon stash and we would eventually go out and spend way to much money on unhealthy food. So in order to keep myself in line I made a commitment to make one new recipe a week to keep things fresh and new.... and surprisingly it has worked quite fabulously! :D I have had some successful meals and some not so good, but I figured that I should share them all the same! :D

Week 1- Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo
(From a GEMS cookbook from my old church)

6 oz uncooked fettuccine or 8 oz spaghetti

1 c fresh or frozen broccoli

2 Tbsp butter

1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cubed

1 can cream of mushroom soup

½ c milk

½ c parmesan cheese

¼ tsp pepper

Prepare fettuccine according to package directions. Add broccoli for last 4 min. of cooking time; drain. In skillet over med-high heat, melt butter. Add chicken and cook until browned, stirring often. Add soup, milk, cheese, pepper and fettuccine mixture. Cook through, stirring often.

Yield: 4 servings 

(This was delicious- not exactly the healthiest meal but it was so easy and we had a ton of left overs! I made a few changes: I used more noodles, olive oil instead of butter, and extra chicken.)

Week 2- Chicken Quesadillas

(Also from the GEMS cookbook)

1 can chunk chicken in water

1 can diced tomatoes and green chillies 

 8 oz. shredded four cheese Mexican

6 (8 in.) flour tortillas

Drain chicken and flake. Add tomatoes and green chillies; mix in cheese. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, place one tortilla with 1/2c. of chicken blend. Spread over tortilla and cover with another tortilla. Heat Cheese is melted, turning once. 

(This was delicious as well! It was so easy.... also not very healthy but Paul loved it as well. Also, there werent any leftovers for this meal.)

Week 3- Noodles and Veggies

(This is my own concoction and its super cheap!!) 

Spaghetti Noodles

3/4 bag Florentine Veggies

1 tsp. olive oil

Crushed garlic (garlic salt if you dont have fresh)

Parmesan Cheese

Chicken (optional)

Bring water to boil and put in spaghetti. In the last 4-5 minutes drop veggies in with noodles and continue cooking. Drain noodles and veggies and mix in olive oil and garlic (and cooked chicken if you so choose) and mix thoroughly. Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese and serve. 

(You can play with the amounts of the ingredients in order to make more or less. Its so easy and relatively healthy as well.)

Week 4- Bubble Pizza

(This is from the GEMS cookbook as well and it seems like something kids would like)

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

1 can (15 oz) pizza sauce

2 tubes (12 oz) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

1 1/2 c. (6 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese)

1 cup (4 oz) shredded cheese

In a skillet, brown the beef; drain. Stir in pizza sauce. Quarter biscuits, place in a greased 9x13x2 baking dish. Top with beef mixture. Bake uncovered at 400 for 20-25 mins. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5-10 min. longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 5-10 min. before serving.
Yield: 6-8 Servings.

(This was okay but it tasted better the second day. Next time I may try to add some veggies to it such as onions, green pepper, etc.)

Try a few and see if you like them! :)


On to the Pregnancy.....
Sorry for the lack of pictures and details. There isnt much to tell except that we are having a healthy baby boy who will be named Jackson Fay Slauter! In other news.... I feel good except for being tired and having a sore back and feet. I have been reading some pregnancy books and learning alot! I am already huge and I dont know how that little guy is going to find room in there in the coming months! :) He moves alot and he loves diet coke and reeses just like his momma! His daddy has felt him move for a while now and is very excited to meet him. The nursery is set up but it still is waiting on some details! :)

Here is the bedding:



More details and some belly pics to come.... :D